Rushed birth

[topogigo]

My daughter in law had a baby yesterday, she went into hospital at 4.30am, she had a baby girl at 947.am, and i took her home at 1.30 pm.
Now i am not pointing out how lucky she was getting it all done quickly even if she was, but what has happened to the system?
When i was first a dad, my wife was in hospital a week at least, the other thing was they didn't want to bath the baby, they dressed her and let mum have a bath and said you can go when you want?????
It wouldn't be fair to say the nursing staff are bothered any more, i just can't tell whether these days, they use a different philosophy about childbirth or they haven't the money or the staff to do it any different?

[redcrx]

If she is concerned then she should speak to her midwife.

A baby and mother are never usualy discharged until 6 hours minimum have passed plus baby has been checked by a doctor. You are saying she was discharged after just over 3 hours?

Theres nothing wrong with leaving after 6 hours, theres no need to stay unless there is a problem and many mums prefer to be at home in a relaxed enviroment rather than on a ward full of restless mums and crying babies.

[cazzz1975]

that sounds awful!! most first time parents need some help for a few days in bathing( the baby) , feeding and getting some rest following the delivery.

Sounds to me like a shortage of beds (get ya in get ya out policy) I think new mothers should have the right to spend up to three days in hospital following the birth and also the option to be discharged after all the normal check ups.

[redcrx]

i really would suggest that she complains when she sees her midwife tomorrow though.

[topogigo]

She is not concerned, not as much as i will be if anything goes wrong but she is hobbling around in a lot of pain, she is young, her first baby and she won't be told!!
Saying that the baby is fine.
Thanks!!
PS i meant to say , it wouldn't be fair to say the nursing staff aren't bothered.

[cyanide]

Firstly congratulations grandad! Secondly i`ll just repeat what redcrx has said,if she`s worried then her midwife is the best person to talk to,it does seem rather rushed to me but i wish i had been able to go home that quickly,i was in hospital for two weeks when i had my first because he was a bit small(6ft now!) and all i wanted to do was be at home in the peace and quiet.I`m sure they`ll both be fine and with someone like you to care as much as you do i don`t doubt it.

[redcrx]

do you expect her to be bedridden for days?

A first time mother having had a c-section is discharged on 3rd day and gets on with being a mum.

If shes happy then dont worry her with with it.

I laboured for 6 hours through the night, gave birth at 4.15am, was on ward by 7am after a bath and was home by 12pm. Prescription for pain killers in hand .

[cazzz1975]

actually some young women who give birth for the first time need help in establishing breastfeeding, help in learning how to bath and care for a small child.

not everyone is ready to resume the chores once they have given birth, its an individual thing.....

[redcrx]

and thats why i said 'if shes happy about it dont worry her' and 'if shes concerned she should speak to midwife' cazz :)

I do know those who've wanted to be in the maternity unit as they need advice and the security of knowing there is help at hand if needed. Who can blame them if they want to be, as you say its personal choice.

I was just pointing out to topogigo that mums go home same day or within few days (after sections) all the time and that its only unusual in that it was less than 6 hours which im sure is the recommended time.

[Goodsoulette]

If they thought there were problems then they would have stayed in. I went home after 6 hours, like Redcrx, I even nipped into to work on the way home to show him off and lots of other people I know go home the same day. A week in hospital after a normal delivery is rather excessive considering the strains on an already overloaded NHS.

Redcrx is right though, in my health authority you have to wait for the 6 hour check but maybe its 3 in yours. Worth inquiring about I suppose. I had a bath straight after and baby wasn't bathed until the next day. Skin to skin contact and swaddling for the first 24 hours is the normal course of action, not a bath.

Was the baby seen by a doctor and had all the reflexes checked etc? I suppose there is a different philosophy, we aren't treated like invalids, we are able to judge our own capabilities. Be proud your daughter in law did so well and don't let this shadow her experience and the arrival of your granddaughter. The midwives obviously did a brilliant job getting her here safely and the midwives have to observe the baby feeding before you are allowed to go home. Maybe there is a case of gross negligence here but if the baby is feeding and was checked over by a doctor I doubt you have real cause for concern. I think the first thing I asked was when can I go home?

[Goodsoulette]

Actually thinking about it, going home after 3 hours? whats the difference between that and a home birth?

[Psychick]

Thats why Im opting for a home birth this time Goodsoulette!

I had to stay in over night with my first but only because I had had an epidural. I would loved to have come home so soon but then I knew I had my mum there waiting for me to give me all the help and support I needed.

I dont think her saying anything would make any difference but I would be tempted to say something as three hours does seem a bit too soon. But if anything was going to go wrong, it wouldve done so within hours of the birth I wouldve thought, so relax and enjoy your grandson....... and congratualtions! :)

[Drisgirl]

I thought the same Ames -a home birth -they wouldnt hang about for 6 hrs in your home.
Glad she and the baby are healthy and well and congrats -they'll be nice and snuggly at home with family to help out for the first few days -sounds ideal.

[sunflower68]

congrats topogigo!!
Don't forget, midwives will be making home visits to her too almost immediately to see how she is coping.
If any probs are displayed here then extra care is given : )

[topogigo]

Thanks girls, i am not so much worried about " Brooke" as i can proudly say my little granddaughter is called, is doing, perhaps April her mum, but some of you seem to have been in the same place and come out fine.
Yes, baby was well checked out and fed before she was discharged.
Incidently without being at all cynical about our wonderful NHS, my neighbour said perhaps it is better to have got out of hospital as soon as possible with what appears to happen to some patients. I wouldn't like to say myself.
Thanks anyway nice to talk about my little angel a bit!!!

[redcrx]

Thats a lovely name topo!
And if you want to just post and talk about your beautiful grandaughter then you can do so over on Chatterbank without having to have a specific reason!

Go for it! Its always nice to announce the arrive of a new baby :)

[natalie_1982]

Hi all, I am due on April 3rd and the letter from my hospital says that unless there are any complications (not including forceps or suction cup) then I will be released between 2 and 6 hours after the birth! I'm actually quite pleased about it, I have never spent time in hospital and I think I will be far more comfortable at home, and will be able to have hubby there and everything else I need. I hope all goes ok for me like it did for your daughter in law and Brooke :-)

[natalie_1982]

Oh and it says that my midwife will visit within 24 hours to carry out the "initial baby checks".

[redcrx]

hmm so they have changed some areas to as little as 2 hours.
I think with a toddler waiting for me at home i might next time I might just try and swing it so i at least get a kip before leaving lol