Does DH have to keep to visiting hours?

[PixieCake]

Can anyone who has had a baby in an NHS hospital tell me whether your partner is allowed to stay with you all the time, or only during visiting hours?

I'm having a C-section so will be in for a few nights, and want him there all the time to help with the baby etc.

Maybe it varies between trusts (I'm Kingston) but is it generally ok?

Thanks

I totally disagree detective!

It was worth the £50 to be away from the other crying babies and people talking (or just beeping ) on their phones all night!

But I am grumpy and anti-social. We weren't charged for the night I was turfed out, and both times they forgot to charge us the full amount we owed. In fact...I don't think we were ever sent the bill for DS2...

I'm grumpy about it as I can't afford £80 a night.

I can't stand the maternity ward either but I have medical reasons for not being able to tolerate noise so the 2nd night of no sleep since I went into labour, I did get my own room as 2 midwives came up to me and told me I had to go to sleep. I'd begged the first night but there were none available. I had a very difficult assisted birth with a 3rd degree tear but I'd rather have gone through it again than spend another night on a maternity (or any hospital) ward.

Good you got away with your bill.

Thanks everyone for all the advice and tips.

Part of the reason I am wondering is because my DH needs to work out when to take his paternity leave.

Someone at work told him there was no point taking it until I was out of hospital because he would only be allowed in for a few hours so it would be better for him to save it until I'm home and he can maximise his time with me and the new baby.

But it sounds like he will be able to be there for most of the day, so that sounds ok.

I'm surprised at how much it varies between trusts though. Thanks for the AIMS link chunkypickle - good to know things like this in case I have to put my foot down.