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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

How soon can you go home post delivery?

43 replies

babyonboard · 12/07/2005 15:46

Just wondering how soon they will let a first time mum go home, assuming the delivery goes smoothly. My fiend was in there for four days and I'd rather get home asap.

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CarolinaMoon · 12/07/2005 18:37

isn't it possible to go when you feel like it and get your GP to check the baby out the next day (assuming all seems well)?

don't think it would make you very popular with the MWs, but it's not prison, you can leave when you like.

if the grannies understand they are there to look after you not vice versa, it could be much nicer than staying in hospital...

kama · 12/07/2005 18:42

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CarolinaMoon · 12/07/2005 18:48

I suppose the point is you don't 'ask', but then you're not likely to be up for a fight at that point anyway.

I'm really just fantasising anyway - I'd packed the minimum in my labour bag hoping to be out ASAP, but I ended up with an emergency cs and jaundiced ds, so we didn't get out till late on day 4, and then only because I pleaded with a nice MW. It was so nice to get out .

Original poster

babyonboard · 12/07/2005 18:49

It will no doubt be nicer at home, i'm just worried about having the two of them interfering iykwim, but i guess i may be grateful for the help...

OP posts:

Darciesmum · 12/07/2005 18:51

Hiya

I had my first baby in March and she was born at 12:53pm and i was home by 4:30pm.

I had the option to stay or go home, but i came home to watch football!!!!

2GIRLS · 12/07/2005 18:53

It might depend on where you are, I was 24 hours for 1st baby as long as straightforward birth, healthy baby. I thought you were only kept for 4 days if you had a CS, but it might differ in different places. Ithink also the baby should do a wee first before they let you go.

starlover · 12/07/2005 18:57

i was in for 4 days. but that was because ds wouldn't feed.

i actually liked being in there. it's niec having people looking after you!!!! you get plenty of rest and lovely visitors bringing you presents! it's ace!

CarolinaMoon · 12/07/2005 19:03

but starlover, at home you still get presents and you might even get a cup of tea when you want one, not just when the tea lady comes round. And you aren't going to find other people's lochia all over your own bathroom floor are you?

kama · 12/07/2005 19:07

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nooka · 12/07/2005 19:31

I stayed 4 days first time, 3 second (both emergency c-sections). I wanted to get out as soon as I was walking! I found hospital horribly noisy, boring and lonely (two different hospitals). But then I had no problems with bf as they both seemed to know what they were doing (and both were latched on by MW within minutes of delivery).

For a longer stay bring plenty to eat and drink and lots of easy reading (I did books 1-3 of Harry Potter). Make sure you have people lined up to visit - I was very envious of my neighbours second time around as dh was looking after ds so visits were short.

If you are having help from family after the baby is born, I think it's worth thinking about specifically what help you would like most. My mother came around with food, which was great, but you have to think what would be best for you and let them know (in the nicest possible way!). Otherwise you may end up looking after them!

morningpaper · 12/07/2005 19:36

Took several hours (at least 6 after the actual birth) for the total waist-down paralysis from my epidural to wear off.

Stayed in for one night and left the next day - was horrifically noisy though, mostly crying women.

TuttiFrutti · 12/07/2005 19:48

I was in for 6 nights - I went in the night before as I was induced, and ended up with an emergency C-section so needed to stay longer than the 2 nights we had planned. I could have left after 5, but wanted the extra night to be fully recovered when I went home. I really enjoyed having all my meals cooked for me and getting help from the MWs on breast feeding, but I was lucky to be in a good hospital which wasn't busy.
By the way, nobody can make you stay in hospital - that would be false imprisonment. You can always discharge yourself if you want to.

Original poster

babyonboard · 12/07/2005 19:51

I know..but as it's my first I will probably take their advice as to when to go home..
we are considering renting a private room if at all possible, does anyone know how to go about this? and if st thomas's offer such a luxury?

OP posts:

PeachyClair · 12/07/2005 19:56

I would point out that glad I was to be home so quickly with ds2, with ds3 I regretted it when mil came over, sat her butt down and expected me to be running after her for seven hours when that morning at 3 am I had given birth! I was even banished from my front room to the bedroom to bf! Normally i wouldnt do it but wasnt up to a fight.

mandyc66 · 12/07/2005 20:06

not read thread just title! it depends on time of day and how well baby and you are but i dont think there is a strict rule. I wanted to go straight home with ds3 but as he was born after 8pm I had to wait till morning but was out of hospital by 7.30am
ds 4 was born at 1.10am and I was home ny 1pm

Darciesmum · 12/07/2005 22:39

Kama England was playing it was very important!!!

hatstand · 12/07/2005 23:05

dd1 was born at about 11pm after a long and pretty exhausting labour. Next day i wanted to go home asap - they kept telling me to wait to be signed off by some consultant or other but I'm afraid i got pissed off with waiting so they agreed to make me an out-patient appointment with the consultant in the next couple of days. I'd never recommend going against their advice but thought my experience goes to show that you can question their advice and at least ask if there are any alternatives. One thing I've learnt about hospitals - if you don;t ask you don;t get

mumfor1sttime · 17/07/2005 21:06

I stayed in hospital for 3 nights after emergency c section and hated it - far too noisy, lonely and under staffed. Didnt see how I was better off coping on my own in hospital with a new baby than being at home with family helping. Got very cross and wanted to leave- they wouldnt let me.
Midwives werent very helpful.

My sis had her dd at 9am and was let out by lunch time.

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