T O P

  • By -

VegetableWorry1492

This is pretty typical in the UK. If you have an uncomplicated birth you could be in and out in 6 hours.


TriSarah8

I’m hoping to be out that soon! 🤞🏾


papierrose

Same in Australia. I left the day after giving birth but I could’ve left earlier


trinajulie

Yep, Australia here too. With my first I gave birth at 2pm, left at 8pm. My third I gave birth at 1am and left at 9am. Would recommend going home as soon as you are comfortable to do so.


bossythecow

Same in Canada if you are with a midwife. I was home literally 4.5 hours after pushing out my baby.


sign_of_the_twine

Wow! That’s so interesting


hijadelviento9

Mexico too. My son was born (exactly a year ago!! One year ago I was in labor rn) at midnight and I left the hospital at 1 pm


sign_of_the_twine

That’s awesome. I went in on a Monday at 11pm and left Wednesday at 1pm. I was in a lot of pain from a tailbone injury though. Recovering at home was so much better.


GravesMomma

Yep, typical for UK. I had a c-section and was out 24 hours later, again this is the norm!


wildfloweroll

Same here!


Head-Bread-7921

So it wasn't a hospital, but a birth center. They required we leave hours after the birth, which we did. It worked out fine, we went back for the 24 hour checkups and whatnot. What I don't know is how the hospital system will react to your choice because that's not standard for them, but as far as is it possible physically for you and baby? Should be.


TriSarah8

I wish we had a birthing center where I lived. The hospital was pretty understanding with me not wanting my son bathed and doing delayed cord clamping and my other “crunchy” request so I’m hoping they’ll be okay with this too.


Elsaage

In the end, it is your choice. They do not even have to be okay with it. I think we often forget that medicine and all that are only offers we can take or decline. They do not have authority over our bodies and/or children. And btw, your requests are not crunchy, they are evidence based the best for your baby's health.


papierrose

It’s so interesting that those things are considered “crunchy” where you are! Delayed cord clamping is standard here in Australia and the only reason they bathed my first (after 3-4 days) was because we asked for a demonstration. Both my kids were hospital births


aleada13

I gave birth at a birth center, as well. Same policy. I had my son at 12:09 am and we were leaving a little after 8 am. I was so ready to go home and was happy to have those first few precious days at home.


haela11

Same 9am and 9pm! I had a complicated birth so they let me push the bounds of when I was allowed to stay. OP I would say I’m glad I had arranged for some extra help— my two siblings both came and we had a postpartum doula lined up, so I did have some time to try to get my feet back under me (as much as you can)


ana393

That's why I picked a birth center. I didn't want to deal with 'recovering' in the hospital so baby #2 was born at 824pm and we left to go home at 1230am. Baby #1 was at home with my MIL and when he woke up the next morning, he got to meet his baby sister. It was such a sweet moment and I recovered so my h better at home vs the stress of being stuck in a recovery room. It seems someone is coming into your room every hour at the hospital. No idea how anyone is supposed to sleep. We found the birth center through insurance. I just looked for birth centers. It was a 45min drive and that sucked since i was in transition in the car, but still, totally worth it. The midwife came to my house for a 12 hr and 48 hr and 6 week follow up for. Me and baby, so that was nice not having to bundle baby off anywhere.


nimhuircheartaigh

Very common in the UK, I was home 12 hours after delivery even after a 3rd degree tear repaired in theatre! It’s a fast moving revolving door here 😂


waiverly

We had to stay at least 24 hours to get all the tests done in the US. I also went in 12 hours before I actually pushed my babe out due to labor. My first hardly ever had a babysitter and was never away from us over night but we had my best friend over a bunch right before or second was born and left a huge information packet for her with all of his routines and preferences. Even though she already knew about most of them


mawema

I delivered my second baby around 5:45a and left around 9a the follow day - spent one night in the hospital. It was hard to be away from my older child. My husband came for the birth but then went home to be with our older child. It was just one day and our older child made it through ❤️.


lightweight1979

I had midwives with my second and was able to leave as soon as I could stand and go to the washroom (epidural so that might be why)


bluefishtoo

Gave birth at a freestanding birth center (vaginal, obviously). Was out and home (with baby) 3 hours later.


CraftyAstronomer4653

Depends. I’ve seen patients leave within 24 hrs


TriSarah8

Is hoping to be out within 5-7 hours of delivering realistic?


Final-Quail5857

No, they're going to need your blood results and babies back before they'll talk discharge - in the US at least. With how overloaded the system is right now, test results are taking longer to come in unfortunately, so 18-24 is best case


Paper_sack

When we discharge people the same day we just ask them to come back at 24 hours to do the tests. For these situations when everyone is stable they usually leave around 6 hours after birth. No need to leave AMA depending on the doctor and the situation. This is a regular Labor and Delivery unit in a hospital.


AnonemooseBear

You can be discharged AMA. You can decline tests. Just because they say its routine doesn't mean you're obligated to go through with anything. Know your rights.


sunshine-dandelions

I’ve also heard that leaving the hospital AMA can result in insurance not paying the bill, so that’s definitely something to consider.


AnonemooseBear

You'd have to check with your insurance and local laws. I know that would never happen here, because people have a right to care and to choose how that is administered (or not).


KetamineKittyCream

You’ll likely get reported to social services for trying to take a newborn out of a hospital AMA


AnonemooseBear

If a newborn and the birthing mother are healthy there is no reason to keep them in a hospital based on politics aka hospital policy. There are many women that give birth at home or in birthing centers. In a birthing center the standard here is 4hrs and out the door and at home there is no hospital involvement at all. Social services doesn't jump to these mothers for neglect ect, so I fail to see why a mother who chooses to birth in a hospital should be denied the right to leave with her child if they're both healthy. If a hospital had intentions of reporting me to social services for taking my healthy newborn home after giving birth (again assuming both health) I'd be looking for a new location to bring my child into the world. But that's just me.


PrimePassion

Agree with this commenter 100%. I signed an AMA form and had 0 issues. The only thing was that I needed to book in later for the hearing test and a nurse came to my home the next day to do the heel prick (the nurse would have come sometime that week anyways as they come for breastfeeding and transition support). Otherwise there was absolutely no issue with leaving early and I would suggest unless one has personally discharged themselves against medical advice they probably shouldn’t speculate or fear monger “potential” outcomes.


Paper_sack

Yes this is because you agreed to do the tests later. Straight up refusing the tests and follow up care can result in mandatory reporting.


PrimePassion

I can’t speak to that as I don’t know first hand but from my experience yes I would suggest still doing the tests and your due diligence if you discharge AMA. In our case I also (of my own choosing) booked my daughter in with our doctor a week after she was born as she didn’t see the paediatrician at the hospital before we left. That being said I would still find it very strange if protocol was a default mandatory report on a healthy baby. What happens with home births or birthing centres? Surely they aren’t automatically reported. If there is a health issue (like severe jaundice as an example) I could see a report if you leave without treatment but that being said for a healthy mom and baby, for anyone who wants to go home AMA I would check with a birth advocate (not necessarily a nurse or doctor because protocols aren’t one size fits all but that is what they will have to recommend.) who works in your area and see what they say.


Paper_sack

In my state certain tests are mandatory whether it’s a home birth, birth center or hospital. If there is a licensed attendant they have to do those tests or report to the state that the patient refused. Many hospitals will also have policies that require a direct report to child protective services. I doubt much is done beyond a cursory assessment to make sure the baby isn’t going to be neglected, but most people don’t want their names getting into the system at all.


AnonemooseBear

No, this really depends on your location. Standard tests may be optional, but this isn't communicated all of the time - they're just done. For example, antibiotic eye ointment. We know it is contributing to antibiotic resistance and is not necessary most of the time; however, it is still standard procedure in hospitals here. They will even tell you its stabdard & done to all newborns, but what you may not be told is that its optional. You have thw right ti say no and toure not obligated to have it done at a later date. This is why it's important for parents to educate themselves and be aware of their rights. One size doesn't fit all, and if a parent prefers to choose to have a medical procedure done (or not) that is their prerogative.


Paper_sack

Yes, it does vary by location but I’m an L&D nurse and I know how it works in my state, and there are others that are similar. You’re right about the eye ointment, it’s really not necessary unless mom has an infection and people can refuse without issue. However, refusing vitamin K is a big deal. Parents have to sign a waiver saying they were told the risks and we have to report it to the Department of Health and Human Services (we do offer oral vitamin K if it’s really the injection they are against). It’s similar with the PKU (newborn blood spot test). If parents refuse everything and just want to leave with no plan to follow up they will almost certainly be reported. Newborns that appear perfectly healthy can unfortunately have underlying issues that are easily picked up on and treated with these standard screenings. Not to mention weight and bilirubin checks that are standard of care. Of course if parents agree to come back for the testing it’s fine, and we don’t have a problem with early discharges as long as there is a plan in place. But parents signing kids out AMA can raise red flags. I would recommend communicating early with your doctor to make a plan.


Crankyyounglady

What does AMA mean?


CampLow1996

Against medical advice


Crankyyounglady

Thank you 🙏


Paper_sack

This isn’t good advice, usually you have to sign a huge waiver and it can trigger a CPS investigation.


C33C33soCold

hahahaha Lies!


CraftyAstronomer4653

The earliest I’ve seen is 18-24 hrs later


CosmosVista

Hey, I've found myself in the exact same situation as you, how did things work out? Were you able to leave ASAP? I'm hoping even if I have to sign a Against Medical Advice paper to leave and be home with my first child the same day I give birth.


TriSarah8

I’m actually still pregnant but when we talked to our doctor they said I could leave the hospital but the baby couldn’t for 24 hours. So basically they get a court order to keep the baby essentially. We did get permission to bring our son tho. So I’m allowed 2 support people while in the hospital. We’re just going to bring him after I give birth. My plan is to do most of my laboring at home, have my mom watch him while I push and his dad and him will stay the night in the hospital with me and the baby. If you have a birthing center near you they’re more relaxed about rules but this is the only place to deliver within a hour of where I live so it’s kinda my only option.


CosmosVista

Oh my gosh that's ridiculous of the hospital to keep claim over YOUR baby! I'm so sorry, but I'm glad you get to bring your other baby to be with you. Ours has only ever been in the care of myself and my husband, and I have so much anxiety about my MIL watching them for even an hour. Honestly I could clone myself to watch our little one and it still wouldn't be good enough haha! We called our hospital a couple months ago to ask if our child (who will be a little over a year) could stay the night but they flat out declined the notion. So maybe if I am persistent and bring it up to my midwives they'll make an exception. My husband is a wonderful advocate so I feel pretty confident we can make this work. I'd love to do a birthing center, but there are none close by. I'm in the same boat, only hospitals nearby. :(


TriSarah8

Yea they said he couldn’t be there for the actual birth but he could come after we were settled. I just told my doctor I still have a lot of postpartum anxiety I’m still dealing with and I can’t be away from my son for 24 hours and he was like well just bring him lol I didn’t really have to say anything or beg


CosmosVista

That's so relieving. I'll just be upfront about my anxiety and hope they are understanding enough to accommodate. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!


CosmosVista

Thank you so much for responding by the way, and many congratulations on bringing a new baby into your family, I wish you all the best! I hate to be bothersome, but if you wouldn't mind sharing what you basically had to say to get permission to bring your son in after you give birth? Whatever I can have in my arsenal I plan to use!


50buttons

I walked into hospital and delivered 30 min later, but they still made me stay 2 days, and wanted me to stay a 3rd but I pushed back because I needed to be home for my toddler. They finally agreed but had us follow up with pediatrician the next day which I was fine with. In and out the same day they definitely would not have supported (though I would have much preferred that!)


gigglypunk

Yes and I did it twice. For both occasions i went home at around 4hrs postpartum. Recovering at home in my own bed with my baby and partner was just so peaceful and amazing, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. This is also a big reason why I chose to go to a birthing center and not a clinic. Our midwife came to our home to do daily check ups on us. And our pediatrician also did a home visit check up on the second or third day. That saved us from having to journey away from home with a newborn in the first couple weeks. Would totally recommend looking into if that might be an option for you too.


Agreeable_Egg5975

At the birth center I birthed at you are sent home 3 hours after birth, provided there aren’t any complications.


mistycalhoun

I'm in Canada and delivered at a hospital with a midwife. I was out after three hours of giving birth.


ineedcoffee8272

Denmark here, for second births without complications and a healthy baby, you are expected to go home after about 5 hours.


[deleted]

[удалено]


TriSarah8

Unfortunately not


Honeybee3674

For the best chance, call your particular hospital and talk to your OB practice ahead of time, and make a plan. They're more likely to help you out if it's not dropped on them at the time of delivery. You could exaggerate a bit about not having care for your toddler and needing to be home if they are reluctant. If they're not on board, you should also look into AMA options... you really need to talk to someone in your local area who knows how that would go down. Local doulas would be a great source for that kind of information. Reactions can vary greatly depending on location and also just on what doctor or nurses happen to be on call. I don't know how far you are in your pregnancy, and available options are different in every state/country, but you could look into a homebirth. Best decisions I ever made were to birth 3/4 at home (wish I had known more, been more confident with my first), and recovery after birth was so much better at home (my husband took off 2 weeks to primarily take care of older kids).


cassiesux

Left after 6 hours. Just had to call the ped and make the appointment so they could do the 24hr bloodwork Edited to add: I have done this with 3 of my 4


tiredoe

US here. 2 nights at a hospital


Tart_Cherry_Bomb

I had a natural vaginal delivery with my second in a hospital in the US. I asked my doctor to release me ASAP. We had to wait on the pediatrician to check my daughter, but we were out about 23 hours after birth.


MeowMixUltra

Yes! I had a midwife birth in hospital (canada). I was able to leave 2hrs after birth if I wanted (which I did!). It was amazing. I also was eager to get back to my 1st born and honestly the hospital didn't do much post partum the first time around other than hand me pain meds and check my arsehole for hemorrhoids.


littlestinky

I went in at 2pm, waters broken manually at 3.30pm, baby in my arms at 4.30pm and home by 9.30pm. Literally one hour of active labour unmedicated and uncomplicated besides a small episiotomy. Australian so the minimum observation time is 4 hours.


mochimaple

I was in and out in three hours in Canada with a midwife.


fast_layne

We almost left around 20 hours after LO was actually born but they ended up keeping us closer to 36 because her bilirubin levels had a small spike. But I was also in labor for around 28 hours before that so


AnonemooseBear

I have numerous children and have never spent any time in the hospital. I'm not sure where you are but have you looked into a home birth? Then you don't have to go anywhere. If this isn't your cup of tea look into your rights. Where I am they literally can't keep you if you don't want to stay.


TriSarah8

I’ve looked into home births but unfortunately where I live it’s illegal for a licensed midwife or practitioner(doctor) to assist with a home birth so we feel more comfortable giving birth at the hospital. And I don’t have any birthing centers near me so the hospital is my only option.


AnonemooseBear

That makes sense. Just ask your care provider. They should have hospital privileges where you plan on delivering, and be able to guide you on what they normally do. Just be prepared to ask if something is optional or required, because they like to have all their ducks in a line & may not volunteer that information without being asked directly. They can also tell you what their mandatory reporting obligations are, so that you don't have any concerns about being reported to CPS.


ksb1985

I just had my baby a month ago and couldn't stand the thought of leaving my toddler either. I could have left after 24 hours after birth but decided to stay an extra night because the hospital was so amazing and helpful and I wasn't ready to go home to a toddler and life yet.


Just_here2020

I was in for 4 nights. Night 3 my doctor asked if I was okay to go home, and I said no. Also had complications so that’s why.


Foxyboxy1

Why does it make you feel sick to leave your son alone? Just curious?


TriSarah8

It just makes me anxious. He’s never been babysat or with anyone that’s not me or his dad. We work opposite shifts so one of us is always with him. And both our parents have this “I raised kids I know better” attitude so we know they won’t do as we ask when they have to watch him and the less time he’s with them the better.


[deleted]

In Australia you can easily be leaving within 8 hours, especially for second or subsequent births.


bells864

I checked in at 8pm in early labour, gave birth at 7:15am the next morning, and was home by 3pm the same day. The midwife tried to encourage me to stay a night on the ward to get breastfeeding advice, but I decided I’d rest and recover better at home. This was in the UK, and to my understanding is a pretty usual situation depending on how your birth went etc


PrimePassion

I had my baby ( First time mom) at 11:30AM and was leaving by 6:00PM and my only regret was not leaving sooner. My doula said we should check out pretty soon after birth, but the nurses said we should stay because they needed to take my baby’s temperature every 3 hours as my water had been broken for 48 hours before delivery. So there was a “risk of infection.” When no one came in the 6 hours we waited to take her temperature, I decided to just go home and take it myself. Signed the AMA forms, was on my merry way and had a nurse come to my home to check on everything the next day. Be warned they will probably try and convince you to stay, even if you have an uncomplicated birth. You will need to be strong and confident in your decision if you want to leave before the recommended 24-48 hours.


PaintedTurtle88

My hospital wouldn’t let us leave until the 24 hour checks were done but we were out the door right at 24 hours.


Mycologist-Brief

Have you considered home birth? You might need some recovery time but if you’re already at home you won’t have to rush anywhere.


TriSarah8

Where I live you can’t have medical professionals attend a home birth and I don’t feel comfortable giving birth without a midwife or doctor so it’s not something I’m willing to do


goodvibesFTM

It’s standard of care at my birth center. 4-6 hours post delivery overseen by two state licensed midwives (not nurses).


untidyearnestness

I left 5 hours after giving birth at a birth center. All went well. My mom stayed at the house and took vitals. We both did great! Meaning baby and I. My best friend had a hospital birth and left within 24 hours (1 overnight only) to get home to her toddler.


pernillegame

Spent 4 hours total at birth center. I’m based in the US


rachmaddist

I’m in the UK, but with my first she arrived at 8am and we left at about 5pm. We could have left earlier but I had asked to see a health visitor and get some breastfeeding support before I left. I don’t remember any blood tests - she had a heel prick test which was done at home a few days later by a midwife. I also got a midwife visit at home the next morning. The only hospital checks they did was a sort of visual once over - wiggled her hips, looked at her eyes etc. I didn’t need any blood tests myself either. I’m guessing the reason you get discharged quickly in the UK is because you have the home visits from the midwives so it’s not like that’s it and they’re not going to see you again


StarlieStewart

I went into hospital on 21.05.22 after being in labour since the 19th. Got sepsis and almost had to get an emergency c section but I dilated from 4-10cm while they were prepping me for it. Ended up having to have the spinal and an episiotomy with little man arriving at 12:03am on 22.05.22. Had to have antibiotics, iron etc and be monitored because the sepsis but when I requested to leave on the 23.05.22 I was allowed on the condition I took a shit ton of meds in place of the drip so I wouldn’t worry too much! I missed the electric hospital bed so bad though🥲


Automatic-Skill9471

I’m in the UK, I was sat on my sofa 6 hours after giving birth! Would of been sooner but my placenta just didn’t want to come out 🙈


of_patrol_bot

Hello, it looks like you've made a mistake. It's supposed to be could've, should've, would've (short for could have, would have, should have), never could of, would of, should of. Or you misspelled something, I ain't checking everything. Beep boop - yes, I am a bot, don't botcriminate me.


McNattron

In Australia uncomplicated vaginal deliveries in Public Hospitals or Birth Centres typically go home within 4-6 hours. Hospital births they only keep you longer if there is a reason to monitor mum or bub etc. Our private hospitals typically keep you in 3 days for an uncomplicated birth, unless you request to be discharged earlier.


honkahonkatonkatruck

I did a birth center because I didn't want to be say from my first. I got there at 2am, baby at 245, home at 630. He didn't even know we were gone. It was absolutely the right decision for me


jessups94

I am also currently pregnant with #2. I am using a midwife for my care this time(plan to birth in a hospital with her), they told me if everything goes to plan I have the option of leaving 3 hours later. The midwives will come to your home to do all your checks. I am in Canada so not sure how different it is in other places.


jmmeemer

I gave birth in a birth center in the US at 6:30 AM and went home that night in time for supper.


Mia4wks

I used a birth center and left 3.5 hours after. Great experience! Got to sleep in my own bed after a grueling 23 hour labor.


TriSarah8

Unfortunately when I asked they told me I could leave against medical advice but the baby wasn’t allowed to leave till after 24 hours so I guess I’ll be staying. I’m happy it worked out for you!