Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

Original poster

Can i discharge my baby?

20 replies

SammyFirstBaby · 04/05/2013 03:00

I gave birth on the 2nd and he had the cord wrapped round his neck, now during the day he's quiet and chilled out. Eats normally, has regular happy moments.
He's on antibiotics and has them 2x a day but every time he gets upset to the extent he's sick and won't settle for about 3-4 hours. He screws his face up and had horrible runs for hours.
If I was to go home and self discharge us, is that even possible?
Can they physically keep him?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

HullMum · 04/05/2013 03:02

if the doctors want to keep your baby in hospital there is a reason for it.

ChangeNameToday · 04/05/2013 03:31

Stay where you are, you are in the best hands, they will rightly want to keep a close eye on a newborn on antibiotics.

All the best - the post-natal ward isn't much fun but it'll pass and you'll soon be home with him all to yourself.

unebagpipe · 04/05/2013 06:18

You going nuts in the postnatal ward? It is a living hell- so I feel your pain. Unfortunately discharging your ds is far from a good idea, and you may end up with social services on your back if you do so.

Have you got earplugs? If you're going to be in there for much longer (and ask mw's what they think)- could you ask if there are any side rooms available.

I really really feel for you. My hospital was even crapper as no 3G signal .

You won't be there forever- I promise!

toffeelolly · 04/05/2013 06:39

If doctor's will not let your baby home there is a reason, if it were me i would want to stay in till my baby was well enough to come home. Do not think you would be allowed to do this anyway.

januarysnowdrop · 04/05/2013 06:39

Yes, you can, but best not to if there's a medical reason to keep him there. Once the doctors have given the all-clear, threatening to discharge yourself can work wonders if you want them to hurry up with your paperwork (I spent 5 hours waiting for them to discharge me and dd3, then announced I was walking out because I had other children to get home to, whereupon they suddenly got their act together and sorted out my paperwork to let me go home).. Keep it up your sleeve as an option, but I wouldn't use it if he still needs to be there, however gruesome it is. It won't be forever! Do keep telling everyone you see that you're desperate to go home, as well - it might help. Good to hear he seems okay after such a traumatic birth.

ballstoit · 04/05/2013 06:52

What are the antibiotics for? I think you need to clarify why you are being kept in and when they plan to discharge.

I wonder if the issue with his cord is not why you're being kept in, unless it's caused something that you are not having explained.

NoTeaForMe · 04/05/2013 07:38

Why would you want to discharge him before the drs felt he was ready? He's in the best place and clearly needs to be there. You'll be home soon, but until then find out why you're there and mention to the nurses and drs that you can't wait to get home-ask them how long they think you'll be there.

Fakebook · 04/05/2013 07:48

Are the antibiotics in an IV line? I had to stay in with DS because they suspected he may have meningitis and he was underweight. He was put on antibiotics for 3 days until his blood results came back clear. I'd stay where you are and agree with the earplugs. Also, do you have a day room on your ward? Walk around and spend a few hours with baby there, as the hospital ward made me go crazy towards the end.

Original poster

SammyFirstBaby · 04/05/2013 07:55

They go in through a line in his hand every 12 hours and the doctor said its because his temp was high at birth witch can mean an infection. I live literally opposite the hospital less than a 5min walk, I could always bring him over for them I just want to get home

OP posts:

Sirzy · 04/05/2013 07:58

As annoying as it is they can't monitor him from home. Babies can go downhill so fast it isn't worth taking the risk

noblegiraffe · 04/05/2013 08:01

My DS was also on antibiotics for an infection and they had to do obs on him quite regularly too. Are they not checking his temperature etc throughout the day?

midori1999 · 04/05/2013 09:07

I know it's hard to stay in hospital after you've just had a baby, but it really is the best thing for your little one. Just keep asking when you can go home.

My waters were apparently 'a bit smelly' at my DD's birth so she had blood taken to check for infection and had IV antibiotics in the meantime. After 48 hrs the blood results were back clear luckily and we could go home, but it would have involved a longer stay had she actually had an infection.

Have they taken any bloods or given you an idea how long you'll be in for?

NumberTwoDue · 04/05/2013 11:13

We had the same situation with DD - born with cord around her neck and a five day course of antibiotics. She was in NICU for he first three with suspected encephalopathy and then with me. We didn't really understand until the consultant discharged us but they were actually monitoring loads of other things too, as she had markers for a number of infections/potential issues. Perhaps get an appt with your consultant and ask them to go through everything they are monitoring in detail (as well as express your concern about your DS's reaction to the medication)? We were also given a private room - could you request this if it loos like they'll keep you in much longer?

By the way, DD was and is absolutely perfect - very healthy and was completely signed off. Congratulations on your new arrival.

Thurlow · 04/05/2013 11:19

We had something similar with DD, I actually had a birth debrief the other week which helped loads because I didn't understand what had happened. Like others, I had horrible waters (described as 'foul' and 'overwhelming' ) and so DD was taken straight off and was on IV antibiotics for 5 days. She hated them too and managed to pull the IV out several times.

They explained to me the other week that the kept her in for 5 days because they couldn't identify the infection. If they had been able to identify it, it might only have been 2-3 days, but as they couldn't they wanted to be safe rather than sorry. Sounds like they are doing that with your DS.

It is horrible being apart from your baby in these first few days but they really are doing what they think is best for him. They need to monitor him and give him ab's and make sure he is perfectly fine before they discharge him. I don't think they do ab's for any more than 5 days as long as the temp is coming down so hopefully it will only be another day or so.

brettgirl2 · 04/05/2013 11:35

Different situatipn but I discharged my baby. She was admitted because she lost too much weight after birth. I stayed until I had the results of the tests but lost the plot somewhat when they told me I had to stay in so she could be weighed the next day. I did have the support of one midwife who thought it was ridiculous which may have made me braver. No one mentioned social services. I don't think it's something to take lightly or if you aren't certain it is ok though.

NoTeaForMe · 04/05/2013 11:42

Sammy You need to ask the doctors etc why you have up stay, ask them if you can go, ask them what the antibiotics are for. You need to know what's happening to discharge you and your baby without all that information is irresponsible.

brettgirl2 · 04/05/2013 11:48

No for tea is right. When I did it there was no good reason why we needed to stay. If there had been I wouldn't have taken her. I think sometimes with hospitals once you are in its actually hard to get out.

RoxyLady · 04/05/2013 18:52

Sorry to be blunt but i'd be more worried about my babies health then whether i found staying in hospital annoying. Those 5 mins walk from your house could cost your baby its life.
Get your priorities straight.

NumberTwoDue · 04/05/2013 19:16

That's a bit harsh Roxy. Who can honestly say that they were thinking straight about anything two days after they'd given birth? I don't want to speak for the OP but when it was me, I wanted my baby home, because in my head it meant that everything was fine and I was desperate for that. I'm sure her top priority is her son, but when you're in hospital in that awful artificial environment and aren't getting the full story from anyone I think it's totally understandable to try and regain some control. I don't think she should go against doctor's orders at all, but think a bit of compassion wouldn't hurt.

GingerDoodle · 04/05/2013 21:14

If there was no medical reason I would say they def cannot keep you or baby in. I politely told our mw we were leaving at x time, paperwork or no (they then miraculously got it done). DD was born at 11:24pm, I had Group B strep but they couldent get the line in for my antibiotics so they wanted us in till at least lunchtime; lunchtime came and went and they were dragging their heels - we left at 2pm.

That said, as everyone else has said, as crap as it is on the pn ward with a medical reason I would see it through - def try for a private room tho; and tell them you want to be leaving as soon as baby is medically ok!

Flip