Staying at the hospital?

Saemilyn

This may seem silly but.... Do you have to spend the night? If baby checks out healthy and mama went med-free is there any reason to stay?

txhottie

at the hospital, you are required to stay for 24 hours for a regular, no complications birth. 

Now, if you are interested in leaving before that you might want to look into a birthing center, where the required stay is usually only 4 hours. 

cnw112784

im almost positive you have to stay one night....but im not sure....

pag41989

I believe at our hospital we are required to stay 48 hours. I think it depends on the hospital/birthing center though.

rkto

if you have your baby at midnight, there is a chance you dont have to stay the following night, but pretty unlikely.

I want to stay at least one night there so I can get a good nights sleep to recover from delivery. 

SarahOrca

Wow, I thought everyone had to stay 48 hours. What do I know? I'm new to this thing. I figure I'll stay as long as they let me - I have a lot to learn for BFing and such...and hopefully I'll get some decent rest before getting none once we go home

SarahP2000

SarahOrca:

Wow, I thought everyone had to stay 48 hours. What do I know? I'm new to this thing. I figure I'll stay as long as they let me - I have a lot to learn for BFing and such...and hopefully I'll get some decent rest before getting none once we go home

 

We stayed 48 hours (not by choice) and were dying to go home after one day.  With the nurses coming in and out, being in a cramped room, and not having any of the comforts of home - you may be itching to leave after 24 hours!

RoxanneA

At my hospital, you have to stay a minimum of 48 hours.  I had a no med, complicated free birth, but was there from wednesday ( 3:30 am) until saturday morning.  She had jaundice and they wanted to keep an eye on her to see if it got worse plus we we're having a hard time latching and they wanted to make sure she was eating.  Also at my hospital, once you go home, you have to come back the next day for a check to see how you and baby are.

Janimal

Well, despite what their rules are, as an adult, you don't HAVE to do anything.  You are welcome to leave AMA (Against medical advice).  I mean, you won't get arrested or anything for breaking their rules!

But for an infant, it seems to me it makes sense to have them monitored for a short time after birth.  Others have mentioned concerns about bilirubin levels, and that was a concern with our DD.

txhottie

SarahOrca:

Wow, I thought everyone had to stay 48 hours. What do I know? I'm new to this thing. I figure I'll stay as long as they let me - I have a lot to learn for BFing and such...and hopefully I'll get some decent rest before getting none once we go home

You might want to also check with insurance b/c some dont cover a 48 hour stay after an uncomplicated birth and some rules for moms and babies are different, ie your stay is 24 hours, but they will cover 48 hours for the baby.  you don't want to get a bill for a one night hospital stay!!

lwogsland

Janimal:

Well, despite what their rules are, as an adult, you don't HAVE to do anything.  You are welcome to leave AMA (Against medical advice).  I mean, you won't get arrested or anything for breaking their rules!

But for an infant, it seems to me it makes sense to have them monitored for a short time after birth.  Others have mentioned concerns about bilirubin levels, and that was a concern with our DD.

 If you plan on checking out AMA, check with your insurance, because the majority will refuse to cover the stay then..

 

our hospital does not require anything...we recommend 24...36-48 for GBS positive moms.  but many moms are allowed to check out before, we have plenty leave at 12 hours..and jsut come back in the next day for a repeat newborn screen lab draw.

stace13

Janimal:

Well, despite what their rules are, as an adult, you don't HAVE to do anything.  You are welcome to leave AMA (Against medical advice).  I mean, you won't get arrested or anything for breaking their rules!

But for an infant, it seems to me it makes sense to have them monitored for a short time after birth.  Others have mentioned concerns about bilirubin levels, and that was a concern with our DD.

She can check out AMA but her child cannot.  Signing out AMA does not exist for children.

lwogsland

stace13:

Janimal:

Well, despite what their rules are, as an adult, you don't HAVE to do anything.  You are welcome to leave AMA (Against medical advice).  I mean, you won't get arrested or anything for breaking their rules!

But for an infant, it seems to me it makes sense to have them monitored for a short time after birth.  Others have mentioned concerns about bilirubin levels, and that was a concern with our DD.

She can check out AMA but her child cannot.  Signing out AMA does not exist for children.

 

This is incorrect..parents leave AMA with their children all the time..in the US at least, it's a parents right to refuse treatment for their child.  The hospital can convene to prevent this from happening, but will NOT unless it medically emergent.

stace13

Wrong...if a physician truly believes something is necessary then the child cannot leave AMA.  CPS (or equivalent) is called and parents lose the right to decide.  Physicians and parents can compromise but there is no AMA.

lwogsland

I work in labor/delivery and parents leave w their kids all the time..do you know how long it takes for CPS to resppnd? Days usually.