Whats the average hospital stay after birth?

[Niki93]

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

DS1 was vaginal delivery at 39+4 mild complications (baby slow heart rate during labour) 2nd degree tear and episiotomy. Born at 17.01 was home by 22.30.

DS2 vaginal delivery in pool at 39+2 all went smoothly but another 2nd degree tear. Born at 16.23. Home by 22.00. Stitches took ages as was a junior midwife but she did a fantastic job and I got lots of extra gas and air!

I was really glad I got to go home both times. DS1 did lose too much weight to start with and was re-admitted for an afternoon at 5 days old to sort out feeding issues (tongue tie). But DS2 put on weight in his first week so was fine.

Different hospital for each birth.

Went into labour at 7am, midwife led unit at 10am, gave birth at 2.50pm and was discharged at 7pm. Straightforward vaginal water birth.

I was home about 5 hours after I delivered? I was transferred in from a home birth, had a forceps delivery and then they asked me if I wanted to stay in or go home. As I hadn't intended on being there at all I opted to go home. I was much happier in the comfort of my own home, taking my time in my own bathroom and on the loo, and having my partner and mum constantly by my side and helping me through the night. I bled quite heavily for the first few days and would have needed such a huge hospital bag to hold all my clean clothes. It was much easier to be at home and have it all to hand.

I had an elective c section at 11am one morning and was out by 3pm the next day

Baby born at about 11am, home about 6. Just stayed long enough to crash out on the ward for a few hours and feed her successfully with midwife support. Couldn't get away fast enough. But this was not in UK, and there was lots of support after birth at home - my midwife popped round to visit the next day (her day off) as she hadn't been able to stay for the birth (it took a long time). And visited every day for a week, then a few times a week until 6 weeks, so no problem getting feeding sorted at home.

You want several changes for baby because they tend to be leaky, messy little things and you won't have got the hang of how to do the nappy straight away so there is potential to have to change them quite a lot. Not because they need a new baby grow every day :)

I went home the same day with DC1 and DC2 had a suspected infection and we were in for a week. So both ends of the extreme.

First baby born early on Friday morning and I went home Monday lunchtime , I needed a blood transfusion and the baby was shocked and not feeding well

2nd baby was born at about 9pm ( after we’d been at the hospital about an hour ) and we were home 2 hours later

Essentials for me: pads, lactulose (they don't tell you about post birth constipation!), clean PJs, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, a hairdryer (was desperate to dry hair nicely after first shower. It makes me feel so much better).
For baby: nappies, onesies, blanket, wipes, formula and bottles if you're bottle feeding.

By the time I'd given birth it was 48 hours after being admitted, so partner had gone through a lot of snacks and clothes etc already. I had to stay 4 days with dc1 who was on antibiotics, but with dc2 I could have gone home within a few hours, only then it was midnight so I slept in hospital, partner at home, then went home after lunch (hospital paperwork takes forever, so even when you and baby are ready to go it may be another 6 hours to tick things off - not that there's anything stopping you leaving, but if you want to ensure you're in all the right systems and referrals done and all, it's useful to go along with it at least the first time).

4 hours
24 hrs (gestational diabetes)
12 hrs (huge baby)
4 hours

I don't think you can plan it. I had one night for each birth, both inductions which you might expect to be a bit longer. Ive had friends who have had home births who weren't planning on seeing a hospital but theyve had to go in post partum due to complications and ended up staying up to a week

I was in for 5 days after the birth because of problems getting breastfeeding established. This worked for us as we got the help, DD had to be under a phototherapy lamp for a while and have tongue tie cut and they did it all while we were in.

I packed 2 bags, a labor bag with essentials for me and baby's first clothes, a couple of nappies etc. that meant we weren't lugging stuff about when we were inevitably moved from lovely but useless spa like midwife led unit to labor ward. Then another bag with towel (a daily shower was the best thing during a lengthy stay) pjs, going home clothes for me etc.

Because we were in so long I had DH and my mum help with bringing more stuff, even doing laundry. The ward was SO HOT and you get night sweats after birth as your body sheds all the excess fluid you've needed while pregnant so I couldn't wear the same pjs for more than 1 day.

Hi OP, two bags is a great idea. With DC1 I was in for 5 days and had to keep sending DH home for more stuff so with DC2 I packed everything except the kitchen sink(only cos it wouldn’t fit!) I was in and out in the same day and of course didn’t use half the stuff and lugging the suitcase around was pointless.

At one point when DH was looking for a clean baby grow he asked why I’d packed an umbrella and sunglasses and cos we had stuff everywhere in the tiny cubicles and had to move rooms a few times my phone ended up in the clinical waste bin (cue DH with rubber gloves!) and my left shoe was never found: went home in slippers (of which I had packed a choice of two pairs)

wish I’d thought of the two bags thing!!! Next child I’ll nail the packing!

Six hours, but only because I delivered at night and had to wait for the paediatrician to come on duty in the morning to do the baby check before I could leave. Otherwise I’d have left sooner- can’t stand hospital food!

I was home within 6 hours like pp, when we got to the delivery suite the lady who took me there told me not to put my nighty on incase I needed to move.. I ended up giving birth in my day clothes (a dress, obviously leggings got taken off) and asking them to cut it off me at the end for skin to skin as it was very thick material. So after packing for a 3 day stay, all I used was one outfit to go home in, underwear, toiletries for the shower and one baby outfit.

Actually, I was home within 4 hours. Baby born 11.28 sitting on my sofa at 3.30!