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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Time in hospital after birth

62 replies

StillinShockAhhhhhhh · 07/01/2015 14:52

It's getting closer to my due date now and getting more and more nervous about how long I will be in hospital after the birth. My husband and I are rarely separated and am now getting anxious he will be sent home after birth and I'll be left at the hospital with a new baby and nobody to be there with. How long after the birth can I go home providing its a straightforward delivery?

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didireallysaythat · 08/01/2015 19:03

My hospital didn't allow husbands to stay overnight in the private rooms, and you couldn't book them. Actually they were full with women who needed to spend more than 3 or 4 days - the midwives just moved them in (free of charge) as sleeping on the ward can be difficult. And it's worth considering that while you might want DH there, the other 5 in your bay may not. The partner of the woman next to me turned up at 8 and just sat there all day (stopping the poor woman from having a nap) until kicking out time.

TeaPleaseBob · 08/01/2015 21:03

I stayed 3 nights. Had baby on Sat and DH had to go home as was in 4 bedded bay. Then private room (no option to book just luck of draw if any available) for next 2 nights that DH could stay with me and lo.

Pandora37 · 08/01/2015 23:20

Is there any reason why you can't have a home birth? Because if you're that stressed about going to hospital then I would seriously consider it.

Having said that, it depends what medications you're on. I know for example with anti-depressants they like to monitor baby for at least 12 hours afterwards. So I'd speak to your midwife about that.

You might surprise yourself though. My sister said she wouldn't want to be in a private room as she liked chatting to the other mums and she made friends with one of them.

iamusuallybeingunreasonable · 08/01/2015 23:22

First I was in for 24 hours, lots of stitches

Second no stitches and was discharged after 6 hours

Original poster

StillinShockAhhhhhhh · 09/01/2015 11:39

All my medication had been stopped whilst pregnant but will need to be resumed pretty quickly after birth hence the not breast feeding. With home births do you not go to the hospital atall?

OP posts:

Jackiebrambles · 09/01/2015 11:45

No, you wouldn't go to hospital at all.

In my area if you want a HB they send round a community midwife to drop off some stuff pre-labour (a week or so before your due date perhaps) - mainly medical supplies to mop things up and look after you afterwards.

Then when you go into labour you call and let them know and then when the time is right you have a midwife with you (maybe even 2) for delivery.

Has your midwife not spoken to you about your birth options? How far along are you?

Tranquilitybaby · 09/01/2015 11:51

You seem like you have a lot of fear. Have you thought about hypno birthing? It may hekp you stay calm during the birth and afterwards oo applying the same techniques?

After a natural delivery, you can leave within 6 hours if you and baby are ok. With a section you can requested enhanced dischsrge and leave after 24 hours.
I thought I wanted a private room but they're were none available. In hindsight, I'm actually glad I didnt get one as it passed the time chatting to the other mums on the ward.

Good luck

knittingirl · 09/01/2015 12:23

I stayed in for three nights - my temperature peaked during labour and I had to be put on an antibiotic drip, and then I had some trouble peeing. After the first night on a ward they moved me to a private room which was lovely :) dh wasn't allowed to stay overnight, but they didn't really enforce visiting times on him either. I got dh to bring me in an ipad to watch stuff, and I had people visit (which was great because there was no hosting to do).

At the time I wasn't happy about it, but in retrospect it was actually really good as by the time I got home I had had support from the midwives for a few days and felt really confident in feeding, bathing and general baby care. I think I'd have been petrified going home after 6 hours!

SoonToBeSix · 09/01/2015 12:59

At my local hospital in costs £30 a night for a private room , partners can stay and get breakfast included in the price so it's worth asking.

Tranquilitybaby · 09/01/2015 13:26

It's £80 at mine but fathers can't stay. Complete con IMO.

Mouthfulofquiz · 09/01/2015 13:32

First time I gave birth at 22:30 and left at 02:30, and second time I gave birth at 00:10 and left at 06:30. I only had to stay longer the second time because the midwife wanted another midwife to listen to DS's chest. I was packed up and ready to go at 02:30. Good luck!
What I will say though - is that you might find you are glad to have a night or two in hospital. It depends on how you feel.

violetlights · 09/01/2015 13:39

I'm sure your birth will be amazing! But if you find yourself having to stay in...

I had a horrible birth and ended up on a postnatal ward (unexpectedly) which didn't allow partners to stay. However because I was howling my eyes out and clearly distressed they let him stay. At the end of the day I really don't think any of the nurses had the time or inclination to deal with me! It was extremely uncomfortable for him to sleep for three days on a chair beside me but they let him! So. If you find yourself in the position where you have to stay and really, really want your DP to stay with you, you could try bawlingnot hiding your upset and insisting that he stays. You never know though, if you have to stay in it might be a positive experience whether you're by yourself on not. I guess it depends on the hospital.

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