First night in hospital after baby is born

[Rebekah120517]

Hi,

Pregnant with first baby and have no idea what happens in the hospital after the baby is born? Obviously this depends on how baby and I am but what is the norm that happens? Does baby stay with me?

Thanks

I was there for 2 weeks and was desparate to get out. I had my baby with me all the time apart from one night that I had to spend in high dependency. They couldn't accommodate a baby whilst doing 1 to 1 care so baby stayed in the midwife office on the ward and joined me in a side room once I had stabilised and got out of Hdu. I think most of the time the baby stays with you though.

Baby was next to me the whole time, never slept as was too scared in case she vanished
Husband went home as there was no where for him to stay and the midwives are on hand anyway to help where needed, I had an episiotomy so had a catheter which limited my movement so help was appreciated!
As PP worst part is waiting around for the Dr to do checks on baby before saying you can go, then they need to go through the discharge forms. It can be a long day!
I was sat around all day as they wanted a Dr to check baby's neck and collarbone, then a physio, then she had an x-ray, then a more senior physio. She was fine, just liked her head to go right when laid down. (They were worried the forceps might have damaged her collarbone)

I couldn't wait to get out. I'd already been in hospital for two days before I had my dd, as got induced and then had an emergency c section. You're woken up every few hours for observations and baby stayed with me. Because of the section I couldn't get her out of the crib without assistance for the first day/night so had to call a midwife every time I had to get baby from the cot. Getting discharged after takes forever! We were able to leave the day after my surgery, but we were waiting on a pediatrician to sign her off and ended up waiting until 2pm the next day! The midwives were brilliant thou I must say.

Not much to add from what others have said, but the ward is the hottest place on earth, dont pack any thick nightclothes as you will melt

You'll be hot, exhausted, in pain, anxious, and angry at all the fucking noise. And the poor staff will all be overworked. And fucking Bounty will come and bother you. And the partner of the woman next door will watch fucking football while you try to sleep. Grim.
But you will have a new baby so none of it will really matter in the grand scheme.

I gave birth at a birth centre. My son was born shortly before midnight , my dp held him while they sorted my tear , then they weighed him and checked him over. We we left alone for the night. Dp and I slept on the sofa bed in our room.

In the morning our son had his hearing check and was checked for discharge. They had various staff members visit me to check feeding was okay etc. We were on our way home by 15:00.

With my second, I went home after four hours but had the option of staying on the ward. With my first, I stayed on a ward with five other mums. DH had to leave in the evening but you can push a button of you need a midwife's help feeding etc. There was a kitchen down the corridor to help yourself to snacks. Take some paracetamol, the midwives are busy and it might be a while until you get some. Also take a phone charger.

Before they discharge you, which takes forever, you get a little talk about contraception, smear tests etc. I was only in one night with no complications so others experience might be different.

I was in for 4 nights due to some complications didn't expect that. Everyone will be different.

Bring snacks!

I second the bring snacks.

I was always ravenous at night when the baby woke me up between 2-4am. Breakfast can seem a very long way away.