Has anyone ever not had to stay the night after a c section?

[cantthinkofaname2021]

My c section is on Wednesday morning, I'm panicking about having to stay the night (which might sound ridiculous) I did want to get a private room but still not sure if it's possible. Has anyone ever gone home the same day after having one? X

Why are you panicking for op?

I have no experience as I had my DC vaginally but i have several friends who have had c sections and they all had to stay overnight and be monitored
Best of luck for Wednesday, that’s so exciting!

I wanted to stay longer!

Loved being served food and just being able to be with my baby!

As soon as home - so full on!

I had to stay following an early morning forceps delivery. A c-section is major surgery. I’d be amazed if they didn’t want you to stay in for 1 if not 2 nights.

I had to stay so they could make sure I could go for a wee properly, and also to have injections.
It's a pretty major operation! Don't panic about staying over, it's the best place to be.

I really wouldn't have been able to go home the same day after either of mine (one planned, one emergency). I wasn't strong or mobile enough. I think I had two nights in hospital after both, and it was absolutely fine, nothing to worry about.

I'm fairly certain you'll have to stay overnight so that you're able to get up and down yourself and go to the toilet. I had three sections and just stayed one night with each. I can't see them letting you leave the same day

My last section was in an afternoon and I went home the following morning so that was pretty quick. I don't think I'd have been up to going home the same day though, once your spinal wears off it's pretty painful.

You have to have a catheter (well, I did) and it stays in for quite a while (my c section was at midday and it was removed at 9pm) and after that you need to urinate a certain number of times so they can be sure it’s all gone ok. Even if you had first slot of the day, I’d be surprised if they could let you out that day, I’m afraid.

You may well find that you have a drip, a catheter and a wound drain insitu after your c section.

You will be in no fit state to go home, because at home you will need to be active to care for baby as well as the usual household chores (unless you're lucky enough to have an excellent husband who will be at home all day and night, or a relative staying to do all the housework, cooking etc)

Usually, anyone who has had a c section is allocated a single room (but not always, depends on whether they are already full etc).

I'd expect you to wait until you were actually active enough to care for baby at home (usually 1-3 days) before being happy to discharge you.

I know the very thought of staying is not what you would like, but they will not keep you any longer than is necessary.

I've not heard of anyone going home same day from a c section. One or two nights is standard. As others have said you need the spinal/epidural to wear off and then you need your catheter out and to demonstrate you can still wee fine.

What is it specifically that worries you about an overnight stay?

You will be in no fit state to go home, because at home you will need to be active to care for baby as well as the usual household chores (unless you're lucky enough to have an excellent husband who will be at home all day and night

I’m rather horrified that anyone prepares themselves to go home the day after a C section and pick up all household chores unless there is absolutely no partner on the scene, or family, or friends. All men should be able to take paternity leave (assuming UK) and indeed be around all day and all night.

You'll have to stay over night I think. I pushed my way out the next day on my last pregnancy, my previous section I'd been in 7 days (due to strep b) and that was not happening again 😆 ... I just got up, showered, refused meds and asked to go home, I was dressed and packed and so they said sure, I refused to get medication so I could leave earlier too 😂 I took painkillers when I got home.

I've not known anyone not have to stay at least 1 night, usually 2. There are injections that have to be given, and after the catheter they need to check that you can pee etc. And they don't remove it until all feeling is back in your extremities.

@Moonshine11

Why are you panicking for op?

I would be. The postnatal ward is hell on earth. I'd rather get up and walk home dragging the placenta behind me than stay a night there.

@PerspicaciousGreen said it :(
Had a terrible time on the ward last time after vaginal birth for many reasons
I just have really bad anxiety, feel really exposed on the ward and want some privacy :(
What injections do you have to have?
Thank you for all the replies x

Very unlikely you’ll be allowed home same day OP. I had my section at 4:05am and went home 3pm the following day and that was very quick (I had no issues post surgery). You’ll have to stay at least long enough to wee after your catheter is removed - it took me ages!! Plus you will be thankful for the staffs help. Honestly you will want to stay in, you can always request a private room if it’s available. The injections are blood thinners, you’ll have to do them everyday for around 10 days post section.

A friend of mine had to beg to be allowed to stay overnight after her second C-section. They were trying to send her home the same day (very busy London hospital) but she didn't feel ready, especially as she had another child at home. So I guess it is possible but it sounds like it's rare.

Injections are blood thinners.

If it's any consulation, postnatal wards might be very different at the moment due to Covid. Most hospitals are still only allowing one visitor (birth partner) during set hours. I've heard many stories of how it's a much nicer, calmer experience.

I appreciate that might have no bearing on your bad experience though x

NICE guidelines are to discharge 24 hours after a c-section if recovering well. I think that's the minimum.

If you have anxiety it may be worth asking if you can speak to the perinatal mental health team to see if they can help you manage it. It might mean higher priority for a private room?

3 weeks ago weds I had an elective at 9am. Was out of theatre at 11.30 ish I was not able to walk until after midnight. So it wasn't realistic to be out same day. I insisted in discharge next day I also dislike being in the wards

I could of gone home day of my c section as I recovered really well
Was up as soon as spinal wore off
Unfortunately like for the 9 months of pregnancy I spent all day throwing up
So became dehydrated and the catheter had to stay in a bit longer
I finally had it removed midnight and was weeing fine 5 minutes later
Technically you can discharge yourself all being well as long as baby is fine and has been signed off my doctor
I had the same fear bad experience first time round with baby was dreading staying
However I had a really lovely time this time ward to myself as person opposite went home late that evening
Staff were brilliant and I was home by 11:30 next day
Try not to worry op

It's incredibly painful and they will want to check your stitches .

As others said it is highly unlikely to get home the same day. Especially as you won’t know until the day when on the list you will be.

I paid for a private room with my c section but this is always going to be subject to availability and need on the day. But you might get one. I had to stay in over night with my VBAC too and actually ended up being the only person in the bay until the early hours of the morning so you never know how it’s going to be.

It’s hard to know how you will feel after and everyone is different but I think the top tip for getting home soon is to mobilise as soon as you can. Let the nurses know you are keen to get home and aiming for enhanced recovery I think they call it. But equally if you need the rest and looking after don’t put pressure on yourself.

I know exactly how you feel about having to stay in and especially being on a ward. I am 100% that person. But if it can’t be helped it can’t be helped. Pack yourself a really good hospital bag with everything you think you could possibly need. Really hope it all goes well and you are home before you know it. You got this!