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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Whats the average hospital stay after birth?

91 replies

Niki93 · 08/12/2019 21:22

How long are you expected to stay in hospital after birth? I know this can differ for all women, but the reason i ask is because ive been looking at hospital bag threads and it seems like everyone prepares for a lengthy stay....i know its better to over pack than under pack for the unknown. But in general, how long do they keep you in for?

Ive seen one post for someone who stayed in 5 days because baby had lost weight. Is that common? To stay in untill baby gains?

Just wanting some experiences and advice on what to expect? In different out comes for example. Again, i know it will depend on how the birth went/complications and breast feeding etc. I had the impression they pretty much have you leave within the next day if all goes well (im not sure why) i could be wrong.

Thanks x

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Chuffingchuff · 08/12/2019 21:30

I had an uncomplicated birth with my DC2 gave birth at 11.20pm and was let home the next afternoon. I would have been earlier but waited a while for the doc to sign me off.

With DC1 were complications and I gave birth at 4.20pm, went home about 6pm the next day.

So I think it's very much your individual experience and needs. I know women who have stayed in longer if there are concerns for mum or baby.

HalfBloodPrincess · 08/12/2019 21:30

My first 3 babies I left the same day, ince the baby had been checked and had pooped.

My third I was in for 3 days as there was meconium in my waters and they wanted to keep an eye on her. We stayed on the postnatal ward.

Actually grateful that I over packed as I wasnt expecting a longer stay than a few hours.

babycatcher411 · 08/12/2019 21:31

When I was working as a community midwife, I used to advise people to pack two bags. One bag that has the basics you will need for the birth itself, and immediately after; ie clean clothes, pads, towel, couple of items of baby clothing, nappies etc, and then a second bag that you can grab that’s a bit more comprehensive in case you have to stay in a few nights.

The first bag comes in with you straight away and the second bag can just stay in the car ‘just in case’.

I would say as a first time mum, with an uncomplicated birth, bottle feeders generally go home straight away (6-8hrs post delivery) or the next morning depending on the time of delivery. I always recommend first time mums who intend to BF to stay overnight to give them time to establish feeding and access help if needed. Obviously people who formula feed can stay for help if need be, but most people want home ASAP

The normal stay is 1-3 nights. Sometimes unto 5 days, rarely more than 5.

HalfBloodPrincess · 08/12/2019 21:31

That should say my fourth

QforCucumber · 08/12/2019 21:32

Approx 36 hours after birth for us. Born 1am Saturday. Home lunchtime sunday.

DecemberSnow · 08/12/2019 21:33

Normally if no complications 12-24 hours

But everyone is different

RhymingRabbit3 · 08/12/2019 21:35

My friends who had vaginal births stayed in 1 night. Those who had c sections were longer.

However I wouldnt see the need to pack a huge case with a weeks worth of stuff. Most hospitals dont allow partners to stay overnight so your boyfriend/husband/visitors could always bring in more stuff for you if you need it.

DecemberSnow · 08/12/2019 21:35

Depends on the hospital, staffing and bed availability too

Midnight0 · 08/12/2019 21:35

I had a csection on a thursday afternoon and i was home sunday evening so not too long.

reginafelangee · 08/12/2019 21:36

I was 5 days with first and 10 days with second. Both c sections. Both expected to be normal deliveries.

Original poster

Niki93 · 08/12/2019 21:39

@babycatcher411 Thats a good tip, i might pinch that idea and do the two bags. One for a long stay and one with essentials. Thanks for that.

Im only 18 weeks tbh so I probably am thinking way ahead. Just been reading hospital bag lists out of curiosity and some say ‘4 baby grows, a blanket, nappies, two change of clothes for mam, shower gel, spare jarmies, etc’ and i was thinking oh gosh do people plan a lengthy stay? But again i can see why people do with first births because its the unknown and best to be prepared for all outcomes.

Its my first pregnancy, and i do want to try and breastfeed so il stay open minded. Luckily for us we live a 5 min drive from the hospital, so if worst comes to worst il send the fella home quickly if we need anything extra. X

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IamMoana · 08/12/2019 21:41

24 hours from me. Elective section on Christmas Eve at 5 to mid day. They began sorting my discharge first thing Christmas morning and I was gone by the afternoon.

In retrospect I'd have liked to have stayed longer but they were short staffed and needed my bed. Good luck!

iloveewanthedreamsheep · 08/12/2019 21:42

I stayed in one night after both my DC were born. One was vaginal birth with epidural/forceps/episiotomy and one was c section. Breastfed both babies. I think the length of stay is down to you to a certain extent (excepting major complications with you or your baby). I did get admitted (wittour any notice) before my second was born for 2 nights but DH was able to bring any extra stuff that was needed.

THNG5 · 08/12/2019 21:43

It really does depend. My first was a vaginal delivery but baby had an infection so was in 6 days. Number 2 was a planned c section as he was breech and was out by lunchtime the next day. Number 3 was a planned c section due to placenta and vasa previa and I stayed 3 days as firstly, I didn't feel ready to go the next day (baby born late afternoon) and then baby had a some jaundice.
So no hard and fast rule. I packed 2 bags, one with the bare minimum and then another one with extras.

GetTheSprinkles · 08/12/2019 21:45

Had emergency c section 7am Monday and was discharged 4pm the next day. That was 3 weeks ago in West London. No real complications although did have quite a bit of PP bleeding and was anaemic.

LBOCS2 · 08/12/2019 21:46

It's worth also bearing in mind that the first few days after birth can be... messy. Meconium poos, breast milk, post birth bleeding, posset, etc, can mean that those 4x babygrows and 2x outfits for mum don't last as long as you'd think they might!

I was in for 24 hrs after no1 (induced with preeclampsia, uncomplicated birth), and 48 hours after no2 (massive haemorrhage after a really uncomplicated delivery on the MW led unit). I think they would have liked me to stay longer with DD2 but I felt ok and wanted to get home.

Bluebelltulip · 08/12/2019 21:47

I was discharged 24 hours after DD1's birth but was then readmitted the next day due to weight loss. I didn't stay over night after DD2. Even though I wasn't in long I still recommend packing more than one change of clothes etc as I got 2 pairs of PJ's dirty both times.

userabcname · 08/12/2019 21:48

First birth - vaginal - was a disaster and we were in for a week.
Second birth - ELCS, very straight forward - discharged after 24 hours.
The average I'd say is 2 nights thinking about my friends and colleagues who've had babies.

Alrighteo · 08/12/2019 21:50

I gave birth in Ireland many moons ago. I stayed 5 nights and when the consultant came around for his visit to discharge me, I asked to stay an extra night. He said no problem. I was a single Mum, a first time Mum, had had a traumatic birth via emergency c-section, the baby blues had hit me and I had no support apart from a narcissistic mother. I was also breastfeeding. I will never forget his kindness in letting me stay. I think it may have been my aunt who was a midwife who prompted me to ask for another night but I don't recall the conversation if there was one.

I realise I'm the exception though.

Waterlemon · 08/12/2019 21:51

I was home 12-24 hrs with both of mine.
Both inductions, one with epidural one without. Both Breastfed.
Had to stay overnight with #2 only because there had been quite a few other babies born that day/evening and there was bit of a queue to see the paediatrician.

partysong · 08/12/2019 21:53

About 38 hours. I had a c section and gestational diabetes (Meaning the baby has to be tested for diabetes for 24 hours after birth)

annlee3817 · 08/12/2019 21:54

I chose to stay one night for help with breastfeeding, but could have gone home by lunchtime the day she was born, had DD at 7am

mindproject · 08/12/2019 21:57

I had an emergency c-section. I was out the next day. I was happy to leave, I couldn't sleep in there.

wondering7777 · 08/12/2019 21:57

I’m praying I can leave without an overnight stay, as I’ve read so many bad things on MN about the postnatal care in hospitals

Original poster

Niki93 · 08/12/2019 22:02

So the theme im getting is if the birth goes fairly straight forward with no concerns, the hospital is more than likely to discharge you soon after.

I know its like asking how long is a peice of string. And i wont know untill im there and giving birth. Just many peoples experiences ive heard they’ve been in for nearly a week and i just didnt realise thats how long it could take.

Il obviously pack more than enough just incase. Just enough to fit my holdall which is more than enough. If i need to stay in for what ever reason my boyfriend can run home/to car and get more. Staying in hospital doesnt bother me, il do what ever best for me and baby at the time. If we need monitored then Atleast we’re in good hands of the midwives who probably know more than me through their experience.

Its just difficult to know what to expect or not expect when its your first! But thanks for everyone sharing their experiences x

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