Hospital discharge after birth

[Doodah71]

What is the shortest time you are allowed to go home after birth without actually discharging yourself? I stayed for four hours last time and that's still too long!

[Hamish]

In the UK you could opt for a home birth if there are no complications with you pregnancy.

[smudge]

If you think that's too long - in 1965 I gave birth to our first daughter, without stitches or complications & felt well enough to go home after a cup of tea. However, I had to stay in hospital for the stautory seven days & it was torture. You just did as you were told & the prospect of discarging yourself & baby was unheard of. I couldn't wait to get back home to share our new baby with my husband & family. On 'release', we went home by taxi, sorted out the pram & proudly went for a walk along the high street, to buy all the necessary little bits & to show off our new born. In 1968, our second daughter was born, again I felt well enough to go home after another cup of tea, but had to stay in for 2 days & that was also far too long. It was wonderful going home with a beautiful baby sister for our 3 year old daughter.

[smudge]

*statutory

[Kit]

Have a word with the midwives first - if you arrange it beforehand it's more likely to go smoothly than if you suddenly say, "OK, that's it, I've had my tea and toast and I'm off"...! One problem you may have is finding a member of staff free - in our hospital you're not allowed to take the baby out yourself, a nurse has to carry it to the door for legal reasons (which I absoilutely do not understand.)

[rinkytink]

I wish I could spend a week lying in bed doing nothing !

[kags]

I think it might also depend on what time of day you give birth, when I had my 2nd at 4pm I wasn't allowed home until next morning because I couldn't be discharged in the evening. I am sure this varies between hospitals though, as Kit says, talk it through with your midwife.

[kags]

Just to add, if you DO have to stay in 4 hours or overnight, try to look at it positively - I took the view that I had had 18 months with my elder child, and I wanted a few hours to get to know my new daughter, and compose myself ready for the return home. They were very precious hours. Now I'm feeling all emotional..........flipping kids, they make softies out of even the toughest of us!

[tracymort]

i was gonna say have a homebirth then!http://www.homebirth.org.uk/ in your own bed (or pool if fancy hiring one!) lovely!

[Kit]

Ah, rinkytink, if only it were that simple! It was too hot to sleep in hospital, when I finally drifted off I was woken by the nurses to make sure littl'un was feeding OK, then changing nappies, enduring excited relatives, other peoples' noisy kids - I was absolutely shattered and couldn't wait to get home to peace and quiet!

[vittoria]

Well when I was taken to the postnatal ward I was told I had just missed the paediatrician's round; I would therefore have to stay until the next morning as I could not leave until the paediatrician had seen my daughter; doesn't it beggar belief? It happened in 1998, not in the 60s. On the plus side, I have a friend who left 2 1/2 hours after her third baby's birth.

[Elfin]

Crikey - you lot are lucky! There was no way I could have even WALKED after 4 hrs, let alone pack up and go home (BIG baby - yeeoow!). Agreed though Kit - trying to actually sleep in a Maternity ward is very difficult, for exactly the reasons you say.

[Doodah71]

Hi again all, I have considered homebirth but as a smoker i think I have slightly higher risks of haemmorage. I too had a couple of 9pounders...but again, it's amazing how quickly the nicotine addiction will get you back up on your feet,lol. TWO & A HALF HOURS!! Thats great, you made my day....I shall quote that at them if they give me any trouble! It's not that I don't like hospitals but it's sooo hot in there and uncomfortable. I'd rather be home, tucked up with baby, hubby and my other 4 kiddies. Then I can relax. Thanks all for your help xxxx

[smudge]

Good luck Doodah71, hope all goes to plan & congrat's in advance.

[tracymort]

Just a mention but have you talked to the specialist smoking cessation midwife in your area? most women don't realise there is one, and most don't realise that even the breastmilk of a smoker is better than formula!

[Doodah71]

Just thought i'd update you. I did have a homebirth in the end. In my bath of all places!

It was the worst experience ever,I had a horrid MW who sat watching Sky TV all night and left me with 2 novice students.

They were gone within an hour, they didn't measure the baby. They also left hyperdermic needles and mess everywhere :-(

I'm not aginst homebirth at all but if anyone reading this is considering one then make sure you KNOW your midwife well or hire a private one.

Thanks for all your replies,

Doo & Ellie (now 9 months...Ooops!)