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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How long were you in Hospital/MLU for after birth?

29 replies

Edelweiss2020 · 09/04/2021 21:59

Just wondering how long people stayed in for, particularly if you gave birth in a midwife led unit as opposed to a hospital labour ward - do they encourage you to go home faster or will they still help you with establishing breastfeeding etc before you leave?

Trying to decide between MLU and the hospital and I keep changing my mind!

OP posts:

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MeadowHay · 09/04/2021 22:01

I gave birth on delivery suite on a morning, I went home the following day around lunch time. I had an instrumental delivery with an episiotomy as well so not a super straightforward birth. I also had brief breastfeeding difficulty in the night and a mental health history. I was desperate to go home and they were desperate to get me out as I was in a side room with DH which I assume there is a lot of demand for.

onionsandgarlic · 09/04/2021 22:02

With my first I transferred to the ward and had to stay in 2 nights as we struggled a lot with feeding (later realised it was tongue tie).

With the second we left about 6-7 hours after birth. The rooms had double beds so it was a lovely place to be for a few hours, but I was equally ready for a takeaway and my own home!

Subordinateclause · 09/04/2021 22:07

MLU attached to hospital both times. First time had to self discharge after about 21hrs as no one had even spoken to us about the possibility of going home despite a very straightforward birth and we were getting no support with breastfeeding anyway. This time, covid, away as soon as the four hour checks were done. They knew I'd successfully breastfed so although they only saw the first feed, exactly the same as my first baby had had, they were happy with that. Maybe with covid they're keener to get FTMs home but after having my first I realised so many mums were in the same position of being kept in, which I just hadn't prepared for as everything seems to highlight how fast they are to discharge you. I'd have found it easier if I'd accepted it was likely to happen; I only thought we were being transferred to the ward because I'd given birth late at night really.

Deftly · 09/04/2021 22:24

Hospital birth was about 5 or so hours, epidural had worn off (didn't completely work to begin with as I could move one of my legs throughout), and I had to pass a certain amount of urine (the midwife wouldn't tell me exactly how much so I didn't dilute my urine with water from the tap? Odd).

MLU was just over 4 hours with no issues. Breastfeeding was established before I left both times.

Both times I've just had a strong urge to go home once the birth is over and baby's okay. As soon as i have had a shower and a cup of tea and toast and got some clean clothes on all I want to do is go home and get some rest in my own bed.

Springchickpea · 09/04/2021 22:30

It doesn’t matter where you give birth, they won’t force you out if you’re not ready. Earliest you can go is about 6 hours, but some births need several days. Staying for at least one night is common, sometimes more for a first baby if feeding is difficult

Muststopeating · 09/04/2021 22:37

MLU for 2nd (first was in Ireland which has completely different policies). Very quick and straight forward water birth. Home in less than 6 hours, would have been sooner but had to wait for the paediatrician check (live over an hour away so didn't want to come back next day).

100% recommend MLU, was so much more relaxed than my first and I hated every second on the post natal ward. One nurse there was fabulous for BF support, the other was a complete cow that made me cry. NHS BF peerworkers/lactation consultants/BFing helpline/breastfeeding groups are an infinitely better resource than an overworked nurse/midwife, especially as even established feeding has ups and downs so you'll need those connections later anyway. Best thing I did was went to a breastfeeding class before I gave birth (part of our antenatal course but in Ireland where BF rates are even worse than here).

drumst1ck · 09/04/2021 22:38

MLU with first birth, everything went well and I was home within 8 hours. Could have been slightly sooner but we waited around to get my iron levels checked afterwards.

3JsMa · 09/04/2021 22:49

DS born at 9pm,ready to go home next day in the morning but delay in paperwork and paediatrician check forced us to wait until 5pm
DD born at 11.30pm,baby check done midday and almost gone home but when waiting for paperwork,I noticed her shaking form time to time.After various checks,it was discovered that she had blood disorder (polycythemia) so had to stay 5 extra days.

RidingMyBike · 09/04/2021 22:51

Saw some women discharged 6 hours after birth (labour ward/postnatal) if all was going well. I was in for 3 nights after birth as both I and the baby were on IV antibiotics and she had an eye infection that needed monitoring. I got what I thought was lots of support from midwives and the infant feeding specialist but they all failed to spot signs of dehydration in my baby (my milk hadn't come in), didn't weigh her on day 3, and she was readmitted seriously ill with dehydration on day 5, so we were both in for another 3 nights then.
It's probably better now on postnatal as visiting is restricted by Covid - it was utter hell when I was there with loads of visitors allowed in all day long which made it impossible to rest.

Lilice · 09/04/2021 22:51

I stayed 2 night with dc1 and dc1, ( could have gone the next day but stayed by choice) and went home 4 hours later after dc3. All were hospital births.

Chelyanne · 09/04/2021 22:53

1st 2 nights, had to be monitored for 24hrs after epidural back then and she was born late at night. Was also in 4 nights before birth as had high bp and induced
2nd 2 nights as he had meconium in waters so had to be monitored. Was also in 1 night before birth because they didn't want to break waters due to polyhydramnios.
3rd 2 nights, suspected heart murmur and clicky hip in baby
4&5 1 night, breech twins elective cesarean (less than 36hours at hospital)
I plan to have a short stay this time too.

FakeFruitShoot · 09/04/2021 22:58

With DD1, 36 hours. Vaginal birth in MLU with epidural.

Then 6 hours (was in fact in hospital less than 8 hours altogether for this baby), 12 hours (meconium in waters, epidural) and 6 hours.

Wigeon · 09/04/2021 23:17

MLU both times.

DC1: 6 hours after birth

DC2: 4 hours after birth . She was meant to be an arranged, planned home but when we rang for a midwife when I was in established labour, they said no one was available, so annoyingly we had to go to the MLU. And I wanted to leave again ASAP afterwards since I was meant to be at home all along!

Silverfly · 09/04/2021 23:24

DC1 - started off in MLU but transferred to labour ward to get an epidural (after many many hours of labour). I had to stay in for 24 hours for observation because I gave birth more than 24 hours after my waters broke.

DC2 and DC3 - labour ward, labours were quicker and easier and I was discharged as soon as my paperwork was finished.

elliejjtiny · 09/04/2021 23:50

dc1 - born at home, stayed at home
dc2 - straightforward birth on labour ward, home after 3 hours
dc3 - straightforward birth on labour ward, home after 3 hours
dc4 - planned c-section at 35 weeks, me home after 3 nights, baby home after 4 weeks
dc5 - emergency c-section at almost 37 weeks, home after 8 nights

Original poster

Edelweiss2020 · 10/04/2021 10:40

Thank you all for these!

OP posts:

Sleepisoverrated150 · 10/04/2021 10:51

Consultant led was in for 5 days, MLU I was home 8/9hrs after birth. First was due to issues breastfeeding and weight gain

Bythefire90 · 10/04/2021 11:04

@FakeFruitShoot I didn’t realise you can have an epidural on an MLU? I thought it had to be in hospital for the anaesthetist

GintyMcGinty · 10/04/2021 11:05

C Sections 5 days with first and 10 days with second.

Bythefire90 · 10/04/2021 11:05

My first was hospital, stayed 24hrs. Second was out 6 hours after birth in MLU it was bliss!

motheroreily · 10/04/2021 11:14

MLU and 9 hours. I didn't get any help with feeding but I was happy to get home and sit on my sofa. I didn't move from the delivery room though which was really nice.

FakeFruitShoot · 10/04/2021 11:26

@Bythefire90 you're absolutely right I thought that after I posted it. Luckily our MLU is attached to a major teaching hospital. I literally moved 2 doors down.

MeadowHay · 10/04/2021 11:27

[quote Bythefire90]@FakeFruitShoot I didn’t realise you can have an epidural on an MLU? I thought it had to be in hospital for the anaesthetist[/quote]
This is certainly the case in our hospital, I assumed that was the case everywhere.

Bythefire90 · 10/04/2021 11:32

@FakeFruitShoot sounds bliss!! I wanted a home birth with DC2 but covid had other plans, now I’m thinking MLU again with DC3, good to know epidural is an option if I go to the MLU next to the hospital this time!

Throughabushbackwards · 10/04/2021 11:32

DS1 - delivery suite and postnatal ward for 3 nights because of meconium in my waters.

DS2 - MLU, gave birth at 7am, home by 4pm!

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