Experience in hospital after birth

[CMRC17]

I have a c section planned for next week and something that’s playing on my mind is what the experience in the hospital for the night will be like?
I feel a bit anxious about it particularly considering my partner will need to go home at 8pm as they don’t let partners stay on the ward.
I’d love to hear peoples experiences on their nights in hospital after giving birth, just on a normal basis provided everything with the birth goes well?
as I’m having a c section I’m not sure whether I should expected to feel a bit drowsy / not really with it afterwards? Do people find they are able to sleep much? I imagine I will want to stay awake for fear of anything happening to the baby!
I also wondered about using the bathroom, if they take the catheter out on the day and I need to go would I take my baby with me? Do people find they wanted to be up and moving around the ward or were you pretty happy lying in bed?

It wasn’t very nice to say the least. I had a vaginal birth but it was traumatic. I was induced and had no breaks between contractions at all, so 12+ hours of just constant pain. I pushed for three hours and had an episiotomy and tearing. Then as soon as my son was born at 2am my husband was kicked out and I was left completely on my own with my son. I also wasn’t given anything for the pain at all and was struggling to move never mind look after a baby. I didn’t sleep and didn’t go to the toilet or anything until visiting hours the next day because I was so worried about something happening to my son if I wasn’t watching him. And we live nowhere near the hospital and don’t drive. So my husband had no way of getting home when it was so late. He was stuck waiting outside and I needed him but he wasn’t allowed to come in. It was very frustrating.

3 babies (no sections but still) and I STILL have trauma from the postnatal ward from baby number 1. For babies 2 and 3 I begged to know what I needed to do to be allowed home!!!!

Couldn't sleep, so noisy, wanted to punch other partners on the ward, wanted to be up and about, was able to go and use toilet. Get home as soon as you can!!!! ☺️

I was given a private room for the first night after a C-section as I was a single mum and all of the other mums had a husband/partner with them on the ward who were talking loudly up until midnight.

My baby was sick and I asked for help to change her clothes/sheets but was snapped at by a horrible midwife who told me to sort it out myself, as it was, “Only mucus!”. I had to hobble around clutching my Caesarean wound. So that was awful.

The hospital was so noisy I was hallucinating with tiredness. Had my baby Thursday teatime and was discharged Saturday afternoon as breastfeeding was established.

One positive was a lovely midwife who stayed on after her shift so I could have a shower. And staff helped a lot with breastfeeding advice. And of course I had my beautiful girl so nothing else really mattered.

Best of luck.

I didn’t have a great experience staying overnight with 1st baby. They wanted me to stay in overnight with 2nd baby but I didn’t feel like there was good enough reason to so declined. Obviously it’s a bit different because you’ve had a c-section but remember you can go home when you feel ready not when you have ‘permission’. I was so glad to be in my own bed.

I would say it probably varies hugely depending on which hospital you’re in and also how busy they are on that particular day. Generally you’ll get much better care while still on the delivery suite as is 1:1/2 care whereas each ward midwife will usually be caring for 8-12 mothers (and their babies) so effectively 16-24 patients! With the support of a couple of maternity assistants and students per ward. Absolutely do ask for help of you need it as they would much rather know e.g your having feeding, pain or other problems early then when its become a much bigger issue, don’t feel bad about asking for help as they are really relying on you telling them when you need help (ideally they would love to come round to every mother frequently to check on them and ask but they just don’t have time) and it’s usually takes much more time and hassle for them to resolve issues at a later stage) As for the feeding they will mainly be interested in how many times the baby has fed, length of the feed, the latch and whether baby passing urine and stools. They’re usually aiming for baby to have had at least 2 good feeds within the first 6 hours and aiming for rising up to 8+ good feeds per 24 hours by the 2nd day. Yes they will give you help with how to position and correctly attach baby at the breast, but again the assumption will be that you're getting on fine if you don’t pipe up so if feeling uncertain always ask for help. Good luck, hope it all goes well x

I mean it's not the most fun, but for one night it's fine. I had to do 3 because it was an emergency, during COVID so only saw my partner for an hour a day. I had a run in with one woman speaking very loudly on facetime but the midwife was really helpful. The initial ward I was on was very noisy but midwives everywhere passing me baby and changing nappies. The next ward I had to buzz for one but I was walking by that point and could pick her up. Take some headphones so you can listen to music or an audio book when you're not sleeping. It goes by quickly and you'll be home before you know it!

Yep this was my experience with my first baby. When they wanted me to stay overnight with my 2nd baby it was a firm ‘no thank you’!

I'll also add I had very supportive midwives who helped me with breastfeeding and pumping, I get the sense each hospital is different but if you need help with anything just keep asking

I had a super long labour which ended in emergency c section as it was covid DH couldn't stay he got about an hour with us after the section and then i didn't see him again until I was allowed to leave 2 days later as there was no visiting, slightly traumatised by it all I don't think I slept for 3 days.

However the staff were lovely really tried to help establish breastfeeding and helped with baby when needed.

As others have said its hot, noisy and generally the sooner you can get out the better.

It always makes me laugh when I see posts from ftm planning on staying in hospital for a few days to “rest and get help with feeding”

hahaha. It’s not even as if you can choose to stay if you’re ready to be medically discharged, let alone get any rest or help!

I haven't stayed in after having a baby as I had a Homebirth, but I've had 2 hospital stays on the maternity ward due to my severe vomiting and dehydration. The most recent one in this pregnancy was wonderful. The staff were so kind, the bed was comfortable... it's not the same as giving birth because I was sick and vulnerable, but I felt taking care of.. almost like a child.

I will say it's odd knowing what the etiquette is and also if you're unlucky you'll have someone noisy on your ward.

It's much better being at home, I always desperately want to get out when I'm there but it's not so bad if you feel like you need it. Bring creature comforts like snacks, iPad, i even brought a teddy

I found it was generally fine. Not sure what standard practice is but my catheter wasn't taken out until the following day, I don't think I could have walked anyway that same day.

I chatted a bit to the ladies around me after my partner left. The night was a bit difficult in that I was trying to breastfeed and every time I removed my baby from the breast thinking she was done she would start crying a really distressing cry so I would panic and relatch her. This went on for hours so I was just sat up in bed nursing until about 4am. Unless your hospital has the cribs with the drop down sides it's also really difficult to lift your baby in and out on that first night when you can't get up, you usually need a midwife to do it.

The midwife took my baby off me for a little bit at 4am so I could get some rest. I found I had too much adrenaline though to actually sleep and then they come in and open the curtains etc at 6am anyway.

But yes women leave their babies to go to the toilet, shower etc.

Make sure you have: tissues, wipes, earplugs (to reduce noise), eye mask (for bright lights), water bottle (pre filled) you can clip to the bed in reach, painkillers, snacks (Doles fruit pots are good, cereal bars) and phone charger. Flip-flops in case the showers are grim. Very lightweight but well covering clothes including dressing gown.

As others have said, it’s hot, take your own pillows, make sure you have everything you need at arm’s length when your DP leaves (including sufficient water). I always asked for a bed by the windows and always got one (there were two on each ward, and as I was in there so long I think they took pity on me). The fresh air was lovely. You can ask for a private room if one is available but in my experience they hold them for mothers with a baby in NICU or twins. Your experience will really depend on how busy it is and the midwives on. I was on the ward for two weeks before baby was born and one week after, but I didn’t have a c-section. It was noisy so I struggled to sleep but I couldn’t use ear plugs as I was afraid I wouldn’t hear my own baby. The level of help those on the ward needed who’d had a c-section seemed to vary, but the help they actually received depended enormously on how busy it was and which midwives were on. Some were more than happy to help and others repeatedly said they’d come back to help and never did. I got a sense after a while of how bad a day/ night it was going to be once I knew who was on. I’d be prepared for a difficult night - as it’s better to be prepared for the worst - but be glad if it’s only one night.

Oh and I left my baby by my bed if I went to the toilet but if I went for a shower I’d wheel him to the nurses station and they’d watch him for me.

So take snacks and drinks. And I mean a big water bottle so your partner can fill it before he leaves and I had picnic juice cartons to have a drink when needed. Some wards you can get your own cups of tea - others only when the catering staff bring it round.

Some wards serve the evening meal at 5.30 which is why you need snacks!

For the night - before your partner goes have everything in reach. You could be mobile by the evening but still helps to have nappies and clean clothes near by.

During the night - if you need help - ask.

Also at my last hospital the cribs hd alarms. So before going for a wee you took the key out and an alarm would bring.

To prepare - the night will be noisy! I remember my neighbour calling her mum next morning really happy she got her newborn down by 4am! Mine was down at 11am and I then spent hours listening to hers!

Also - you might not be there days either. If all is well - I found it much easier to recover at home. We left 36 hours after section

My biggest issue was the horrible food they kept giving us that made constipation even worse. And other women being loud at night time when I tried to sleep. I had to put YouTube sleeping music on in order to get any sleep. The bathroom was bad too because other users were behaving like pigs. Other than that it was fine and there was always tons of helpful nurses and midwifes around to help. I had a private room for the first 12h after my EMCS and it was amazing so if I could have stayed there my experience would have been much better.

I found the ward fine! Maybe I was lucky with the other women who were there but there was no noisy partners or snoring. The hospital still have a strict one visitor on the ward per person policy perhaps that helps
I had an emergency c section at 4pm, partner left at 7. Catheter was taken out some point during the night but I can't remember the time. My bay was next to the toilet so I always left my baby.
I didn't get any sleep but only because of my own adrenaline.
Missed dinner time but I was given a lot of toast and it was bloody beautiful!
Jugs of squash every couple of hours and tea straight after birth plus in the morning.
Discharged after 23 hours.
Buzzer always answered and plenty of breast feeding support.
Maybe I was really lucky 🤷 it was 18 months ago.

I took sport bottles of lucozade and 4 pack of water, soreen bars, breakfast bars, crisps, nuts etc.
Take a charger bank as my hospital didn't have any sockets to charge a phone.
It was hot. But that's for the babies. It's fine for a night.

I suggest taking: the longest phone charger cable you can possibly buy. Get your partner to plug it in for you before they go and give you the phone. That way there's no worry about battery dying and not being able to bend to plug the charger in. Lots of drinks and snacks which again partner leaves in reach. Also take paracetamol, because at least then if the ward is a shit show you can take some pain relief. Paracetamol is more helpful than you would expect post section. Also have him leave in reach wipes, nappies and a few changes of clothes. My friend got a little hanging organiser to put it all in so that she could hang it on her bed and have everything handy. Oh, headphones too and lip balm.

Take big disposable pants so you can just rip the sides rather than having to bend down as there will likely be a fair amount of bloody discharge.

Don't be afraid to press the buzzer and ask for help.

Had first baby in covid times so once partner was sent home he wasn't able to come back. I was on my own until partner and my Mum picked me up 24 hours or so later. It was really quiet as well so I was on my own in this room for most of the whole time. But you can't sleep because your either gazing at the baby, on your phone, or hcp in and out or walking down the corridors talking really loud at 3am.
2nd baby I was determined to prioritise sleep so even though I was on a busy noisy ward I felt I had prepared well enough.
My tips:
Take eye mask and ear plugs. Trust me, you will still hear your own baby through the ear plugs I promise, but they don't half help muffle the rest of the sounds.
It may be roasting, or it may be freezing, take fluffy socks just in case. I wore mine instead of slippers. I took my own pillow too.
Try and go for a shower when midwife doing baby observation, your only going to be sat there helplessly anyway while the baby is crying ( it doesn't hurt, they just don't like being disturbed).
Rest of the time- if baby is sleeping, LIE DOWN AND SHUT YOUR EYES! You probably won't sleep but just rest!
If baby is awake just have them on your boob like the entire time. Loads of skin to skin with snuggly blanket over you both.
Take a massive bottle of mineral water.
Loads of easy snacks. Naked bars, kind bars that sort of thing.
I nearly ran out of baby outfits as 2nd baby was very sick and i think got poo all over clothes at one point so take more sleepsuits than you think you need.
More for baby, less for you, you probably won't be arsed to get changed much apart from your knickers.
Don't bother with disposable knickers. Just a massive multi pack of black cotton comfies and if you need to bin any don't feel guilty.

I was in hospital for several days and didn't sleep because the women on the ward and the midwives were so loud (men had to leave after 8pm). I was mentally unwell by the time I was discharged. After a few hours sleep once I got home, I felt fine!