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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Post birth care

14 replies

C1D2H3 · 13/04/2023 23:12

Starting to think about trying for number 2.

I was wondering if anybody was able to go home the same day as giving birth? My first birth wasn’t complicated and generally speaking went well. I really struggled with being in the hospital over night by myself, hated everything about it. I asked for my husband to come back and they wouldn’t let him, I ended up staying awake the entire night and had a panic attack in the morning (which I haven’t had in years)

any advice would be much appreciated!

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PickledScrump · 13/04/2023 23:19

With my second arrived in hospital at 5.30pm, gave birth 8.55pm was home at 2.30am, (live 45 minutes from hospital) you have to stay a certain amount of time for them to do checks on baby, but the birth was lovely so they were happy for me to go. As long as the birth goes well and baby and you are healthy you can go home the same day

Pandax3 · 13/04/2023 23:25

I had home births for my second and third DC as I disliked the postnatal wars experience so much with DC1... it may not be for you but just wanted to flag it as an option.

Bubbleses · 13/04/2023 23:31

It’s a bit out of your control especially as it may depend what time you gave birth - if it is late in the day then you may be likely to have to stay overnight even if straightforward.
When did you have baby no 1? Was it during COVID or does has your hospital never let partners stay? Maybe have a look around at other local hospitals and their policies on partners staying overnight.
I gave birth recently and my DH was allowed to stay with me at all times (I was in for 3 nights). This is the same for all partners. This is at my nearest hospital but my second nearest hospital doesn’t allow partners to stay overnight, so it’s worth checking the options around you.

Cappuccino17 · 14/04/2023 01:07

My first I had to stay overnight as it was a traumatic birth.
Second I went home on the same day.
It depends on how the childbirth goes to be honest. If you have to stay it's because it's what is best for you and your baby. Hopefully you don't have to stay and it goes smoothly for you!

LilmissCa · 14/04/2023 04:19

My 1st I stayed overnight, complicated birth.
2nd I went in at 9am, she was born just before 1pm and I was home at 9pm.
They would have liked me to stay & were reluctant to let me go.. or more I think get the staff in place for the discharge paperwork in the evening.
Partners can't stay in my hospital past 9pm after labour.

It will really depend on your labour if discharged home. As others have said.. home birth may be an option.

Catsonskis · 14/04/2023 04:45

I gave birth at 4 and at 7:30 they said I could go home with my 2nd baby. It was an uncomplicated but bloody quick labour and delivery.

Scroobydoo · 14/04/2023 06:28

yes but you might have to push/stick up for yourself depending on circumstance. I gave birth at 4.30am and would have been allowed home around 10am but I couldn't wee (had an epidural)
I had to stay in until I could wee which was around 5/6pm. Then spent a couple of hours trying to figure out who to speak to so I could go home. Then there was a shift change and the nurse came in and said 'ill be looking after you overnight'
Honestly lost my shit, there was absolutely no reason to be kept in and I'd basically been wandering around with a bowl of wee trying to show it to someone so I could leave, but no one seemed to know who the right person was to do the paper work.
Night shift nurse did the paperwork pretty quick after that and I managed to get home around 11pm. It was long, but worth it

Twizbe · 14/04/2023 06:40

If it's not your first baby they can discharge you very quickly,

My second was born at 5:30am and they were ready to discharge us by 9am (I just needed to do a bigger wee) we were discharged at 10:30am. All from the birth centre as well so I didn't have to go to labour ward.

Tryingtoconceivenumber2 · 14/04/2023 09:41

Yea I did. Arrived at hospital at 12pm had baby at 2.30pm and home at 7.30pm on the sofa. First baby but was during covid so think they were sending everyone home asap then. I was super glad to be home though and will be trying to get home asap again this time x

NurseFlorence · 14/04/2023 09:46

First birth we stayed in hospital for 7 days.. both treated with antibiotics as a precaution due to high temps initially but we were well. However, this made it frustrating and as a new first time mum at barely 19 years old I remember being that desperate to go home I cried and begged on ward round.

Second baby I had him at 8pm ish and was home by 11pm! .. via the McDonald’s drive through because the hospital tea and toast didn’t quite cut it haha!

Im due my third immanently and I’m praying for a situation! But I’m also trying to be rational and not to have high expectations just incase we have to stay in.. easier said than done!

NurseFlorence · 14/04/2023 09:46

The last bit is meant to say praying for the same situation as my second.. not just a situation jeez haha

Nursemumma92 · 14/04/2023 13:08

Yes I gave birth at 9.30am with my second baby and was home by 5pm... could have gone at 12 but I wanted to stay a bit longer for some support breastfeeding as I struggled with my first. As long as all is well with you and baby then you don't have to stay in but obviously birth is unpredictable so it's not a guarantee. But in theory yes, and the fact that you had an uncomplicated first birth means you are more likely to experience the same for a second birth.
All the best!

imy · 14/04/2023 13:41

Hiya, have you explored whether your hospital has private side rooms? I also would struggle with being on the ward due to anxiety and so I have pre-booked a private side room. I can pre-book because I have a c-section booked, but they are also available to book on the day (they only allow one to be pre-booked so the rest can be booked on the day). This makes me feel so much calmer.

cocolemonad · 14/04/2023 18:02

We left 4 hours after birth with dd1. It was against policy as it was 1am on a Sunday but they we so busy and we were so keen to leave that they let us go. 35 weeks with dd2 now and hoping for a home birth this time but if not I'll do everything in my power to avoid the dreaded post natal ward!

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