Asking to leave?

eilatan&nhoj88

When ds was born, I checked in at 5pm on Monday, delivered at 2:15a.m. on Tuesday, and was released at noon on Wednesday. I'm curious, do you have to stay as long as they want or can you ask to check out after one day if they want to keep you longer? Its going to be difficult to stay in the hospital for long because my mom will have to take off work to watch ds while we are gone. Also last time it drove me nuts being there that long. I couldn't stand to stay any longer. Thanks for any info.

bigbear

I was told that I have to stay the minimum of 48hrs even if I feel just fine. It's to protect you and the hospital in case something did go wrong right after. But just ask, you never know.

Huahine

I think it varies by state and hospital.  My understanding is that in Massachusetts if we want to leave less than 48 hours after a vaginal delivery we have to sign a waiver agreeing to have a visiting nurse come to our home to check on us and the baby. 

rebelina1

Each hospital has its own rules so I would check with your OB or hospital directly.  Since I am having a c-section the standard stay is 3 days but my OB told me that I can go home after two days if I am doing well.

namara5532

Check your hospital's policy.  Mine told me that we could leave after 24 hours had passed (assuming both I and baby are healthy of course).  I don't think it'd hurt to ask the doctor to be discharged sooner, but they may tell you that you have to wait x amount of hours based on hospital and state policy.

DEBBIE33CASEY

namara5532:

Check your hospital's policy.

this

jason&robin

I asked my dr and she said, as long as baby is okay, there is no reason why I can't leave after 24 hours so that's my plan

baloneydisc

Our hospital's policy is minimum 24-hrs for an uncomplicated vaginal birth & 48-hrs minimum for a c-section.

Jessiree

Each hospital has its own policies. At mine, mothers can leave before the 48 hour mark for vaginal births, and 72 hours for c-sections with OB approval, but babies cannot leave before that time frame, so the nurse at our tour said the vast majority of moms stay the whole time so they can leave with the baby.

Izabella22

Its worth checking into - some hospitals have early discharge, ask your doc or call the hospital birth center to see what their policy is.

purpletulip

It's not just you; your baby has to be discharged separately (at least at my hospital). I read that if I want to leave earlier I should give my pediatrician's office a heads up so they can authorize LO to leave.

Mommy2Grayson

I would check the policy, like everyone else has said, and if they say you have to stay, I would stay. They can't force you, but if you leave against medical advice (AMA) there is a possibility that your insurance won't cover your stay. That's the rule at the hospital where I work.

Cinco

I was cleared after a day, but my son was not. We ended up both staying just under 48 hours.

MrsAMB07

I agree with checking with your hospital/insurance.

Personally, I'm kind of looking forward to two days of having no other responsibilities other than to cuddle and bond with LO. I know by the end of those 48 hours I'll be going stir-crazy, but before forced to relax, take it easy, and let the world go on without me for a couple of days sounds so nice right now...