How long are you staying in the hospital?

KScheibe12

DH and I finally did our hospital tour last week.  The nurse mentioned that they would like for you to stay at least 48 hours for a vaginal birth.  This seems like a really long time to me for an uncomplicated birth.  I had assumed they would let us leave after 24 hours.  I realize as a FTM I have no clue how I'm going to feel afterward (I very well may want to stay).  But, the idea of spending two days in the hospital makes me so anxious.  The longest I've ever had to stay in a hospital in my entire life was 3 hours when I had my wisdom teeth removed as a teenager.

How long do you plan on staying?

sweetie41305

I'm having a c-section and they told me I'd be in the hospital for at least 2-4 days.  I'm sure every hospital is different though.

chantico23

My insurance will cover up to 3 days after a vag delivery.  I am going to play it by ear.  I've heard that I should take advantage of the nurse's availability and rest as much as possible for as long as possible.  However, since I don't want LO to be fed formula, I'm still going to be sleeping in short increments, so I don't know if will be very valuable for me to stay all 3 days.  We'll see.

LIvie Dean

LIke PP said I think it just depends on your hospital and how good you and baby are doing. The nurse who gave me the tour of the l&D at my hospital didn't say anything about that, but I know alot of people who have gone to the same hospital and it varies.

KatFish2011

I am going to stay the full 48 hours since that is what I had to pay as my part of my insurance plus that is what they are going to bill them as well.  At my hospital they said that you can leave in 24 hours if there is no complications and you did #1 and tried #2.... Since this is my first one I want all the help I can get before heading home...

emilyerin13

I've been thinking about the same question.  With my first I was there 2.5 days (vaginal birth w/ no comps.).  But now that she'll be at home I've been wondering about coming home as soon as they will discharge me.  We only live a mile from the hospital but I'd rather be at home with her, DH, and new baby than having the 4 of us split up for any longer than necessary.  I'm wondering if I'm crazy to think about coming home sooner than later.  Also, with my due date being Christmas Day and all I'd rather be home for that too.  No family coming so it will be nice to be just the 3 of us, 4 if baby comes sooner than expected! 

helloshannon

as long as they will let me. might as well take the help while i can!! for a regular vaginal birth my hospital says 48 hours. for a c-section, 4 days.

MesmrEwe

I plan on staying the full 48 after delivering!!  The thing is, there are some complications that don't show up until that second day even if you had a complication free delivery.  It also gives you a chance to recover without being at home and all of the things that come along with having to be "on" 24/7 with a new baby and a husband who likely won't "get it" on how sore things really are. 

The thing is, the PP area is completely different in terms of how often they're in there checking on you.  The first 24 they really are in there making sure that you aren't hemoraging as well as going through a lot of PP type of things with you and baby (BF/FF, pain control/mgt., baby free rest time, making sure you can go to the bathroom, moving around, etc.)..  It's really more like a rehab room than anything else.  The first day is more intense in terms of people being in to check on you than the 2nd 24-hour period where it's more restful and getting loose ends tied up. 

emd2887

I plan on staying until they kick me out (the full 48 hours). Besides wanting to take advantage of having someone take care of me and help out with LO, like a PP said, there are some complications that may not show up the first day.  

stephers_7

until they tell me to go home. I'm taking advantage of the help even though I'm going to miss my puppies so much while I'm in the hospital. 

KeyLime81

In general, our hospital/insurance has you stay for 2 days after a vaginal birth, 3-4 days after a c-section.  I also plan to stay until they kick me out   The way I see it, I'll take all the help I can get from the nurses   I will say though, I'm a FTM, so I don't have other LOs at home...I can definitely understand where you ladies are coming from.

LaurenRinAtlanta

24-48 hours. Our insurance covers 48 hours for vaginal birth from the time of delivery. I'm not interested in staying one second longer than necessary. 

chankins14

Hopefully I will be discharged 24 hours after birth.

RizziB

At my hospital, you stay for 2 days following a vaginal delivery w/o complications and for 4 days following a C-section.  I definitely plan to stay for as long as I'm able to!

MrsT2008

my hospital's policy is 2 nights for a vaginal delivery, 4 nights for a c-section.  And if baby is born after 8pm, that night does not count as one of your nights

mrskimm09

2-4 days. 

KScheibe12

MesmrEwe:

I plan on staying the full 48 after delivering!!  The thing is, there are some complications that don't show up until that second day even if you had a complication free delivery.  It also gives you a chance to recover without being at home and all of the things that come along with having to be "on" 24/7 with a new baby and a husband who likely won't "get it" on how sore things really are. 

The thing is, the PP area is completely different in terms of how often they're in there checking on you.  The first 24 they really are in there making sure that you aren't hemoraging as well as going through a lot of PP type of things with you and baby (BF/FF, pain control/mgt., baby free rest time, making sure you can go to the bathroom, moving around, etc.)..  It's really more like a rehab room than anything else.  The first day is more intense in terms of people being in to check on you than the 2nd 24-hour period where it's more restful and getting loose ends tied up. 

What kind of complications can show up in the second day?  I know this is a question I should be asking my OB...  I just didn't really think of that as a possibility.

Nichole06

3-4 days. I'm having a c-section.

MrsT624

My c-section is scheduled for noon on a Tuesday and I will get to go home Friday.

GoldenPeaches

I had a birth center birth so a little different but I was so ready to leave when we were discharged. We got out of there around 6PM (I gave birth at 4:39AM). I started getting antsy to go home around mid afternoon. I am much more comfortable at my own home.

MelinaIrby

I plan to book it out of there ASAP. Being woken up every hour for vitals, plus the constant risk of MRSA, does not, for me, a relaxing recovery make. But, then, I worry. My insurance covers 2 days, but as soon as they tell me I'm good, I'm as good as gone!

Linds1224

The least amout of time as possible .. it's 24hrs here for a vaginal birth without any complication so I'm hoping to be out within that time frame. Fingers crossed.

capulet

2-3 days.  I'm having a c-section.  The hospital allows three days, OB says I can be discharged in two if I feel ready and BFing is going well.  I stayed for four days with my first c/s but would have been okay to go home after three.

NoodleM

I was told 2 days for vaginal birth and 3 for c section. I'm hoping for a vaginal birth and I just figured I'd do what was standard.

Plus, I found a virtual tour of our hospital online and it's maternity area looks nice and comfortable. I wouldn't mind staying there for two days as I heal.

CountingUp

If all goes well the stay at our hospital is 24 hours or less for a vag. delivery.

C-section stays are 3-days or less.

I've had 2 friends recently give birth to baby #1 with "my" ob at this hosp. The vag delivery friend was out of there without needing to stay overnight. The c-section friend had to spend one night/two days at the hospital. I am hoping all goes the same for us!