How soon after delivery were you allowed to leave hospital?

[Kathsunn]

I'm asking this question because I'm a bit worried about being kept in over X-mas/New Year (dc3 due 26 Dec).

After my last very straight forward 2nd birth, I was kept inside 2 nights because ds2 didn't have a wee until the second night.

I don't want to be in any longer than 1 night because of 2ds at home and disrupting everyone's holiday. Any suggestions on how to get sprung early?

With dd, I had an epidural. Had her at lunchtime. Left at 9am the following day, as soon as she'd been seen by a paediatrician.

With ds1 was supposed to have homebirth but no midwives. Had him in hospital 30mins after arriving, at 9pm. Was home by 11pm. I successfully argued that if had had him at home he wouldn't have been signed off by a paediatrician - would have been seen by the midwife the following day. Only stayed as long as required for stitching and a shower.

With ds2 I had him at home. Bliss! He arrived just before midnight and the midwives left at about 2am after I'd showered, they'd cleaned up, his temp was regular and had fed him.

Frankly at xmas and new year I would think they'll be as keen to get shot of you as you are to leave!...unless there is a problem that needs monitoring like last time. Surely you wouldn't want to leave quickly in that circumstance?

About 6 hours with my 2nd. Would have been sooner but DH and me didn't drive back then and had to wait for my Dad to fetch us.

Sooz - I have thought about homebirth, but I don't think my husband who can sometimes passout at the sight of blood is too keen. I have been considering just checking myself out of hospital, but thought it would look as if I was being a bit unreasonable. I wouldn't want them writing "beware of mad woman" on my notes.

After seeing how many of you left just after , I think I will just have to insist on being allowed to leave.

dilbertina - I thought delayed weeing in bf babies was normal. I sort of felt I was being kept in for something that really wasn't a problem. I could be wrong.

I had ds on 23/12. People who had c sections on the Xmas Eve were allowed hom Xmas Day.

I left 12hrs post em cs. They can't make you stay. They pretty much made me leave though.

I was told that if everything was ok this time round (DC3) that I'd be asked to leave as soon as possible. The time frame she gave was between 2 and 6 hours.

i left within in 2 hours of arriving at the hospital - essentially i did all the labouring at home, intended to have a homebirth but got over anxious. I only stayed so long so i could wash and my husband could go home and get something for me to wear - i left home in my dressing gown - he completely forgot about bringing anything for the ds.

At the hospital I was, the minimum time was around 6 hours.

I was kept in overnight has DD still had a heart murmer at 6 hours. was rechecked at 24hours and was fine so we were 'allowed' to go home

at my local hospital the average is 6 hours and you are out on your bum lol,

with DS i was 6 days but he had jonduce (think that is how to spell it)

With the one on the way i am hoping for the 6 hours...

IME you have to be fairly focussed to get discharged in 6 hours. DD2 was born at 8.15am, and every time anyone came near us I kept saying "we're going home today" - had to wait for the paediatrician, and finally discharged around 5pm. If I'd given birth later in the day it would have been more difficult unless I'd been prepared to get bolshy, which isn't really in my nature!

DD was born at 12:59 noon on Friday and I left first thing on Monday. I had a catheter after the birth which added a day. Then the paediatrician wanted DD to stay in so they could do a heel prick test for jaundice. She'd been back to back and had a HUGE bruise on her head so they were concered about her getting jaundiced as the bruise broke down.

Mind you I was at a lovely hospital and needed help with breast feeding so I was happy to stay. That being said I'm very drawn to the idea of a home birth when we decide to have number 2!

About 4 days and then I discharged myself because I so sick of it. I'd also spent the previous 3 months in and out of hospital but I had pre-eclampsia so they weren't being mean or anything!

My friend was out within a couple of hours because she had a very uncomplicated PG and labour.

It will depend on how easy your PG has been and smoothly your labour goes.

There will be other Christmases and new years but only one birthday for DC3

Had DD at 10.30am, lots of waiting about for the audiologist, eventually got out about 4pm. If the audiologist had come by sooner I could've been out even earlier.

Have a home birth?!

If not, bear in mind that there's no 'allowed' about it. Nobody will be barring the doors if you decide to pack your bags and waddle out when you're ready.

DD2 was born at half 9pm, I left first thing the next morning, I would have left earlier but I skanked a private room and quite fancied the break from home

If you have a home birth when is the audiological check done and who by?

I would imagine it varies by area. Here you are sent an appointment to have it done at the local health centre within a few weeks.

4 hours, and I was out of there like a rocket. The only thing (complications aside) that might delay you is the availability of the paediatrician who needs to have a look at the baby before you can go.

3 hrs with my second.