If you gave birth in a birth center, how long did you stay after baby was born? How long did you WANT to stay, and how long do you think is necessary?
I just found out that my insurance now only covers 6 hours postpartum unless there is a medical concern. I've heard from other that this is enough time, but I've been expecting the option of 24 hours at least since early in my pregnancy. I'm trying to come to terms with the new shortened stay I'm allowed.
Re: How long did you stay after baby?
We were home six hours after the baby was born. We wanted to get home even sooner, but I had a lot of stitches and there were other delays. We were so exhausted and couldn't wait to get home
It really was plenty of time. If your concerned though, you can ask your midwife how long extra hours would cost. I don't have any information on this, but it could be very reasonable.
Siggy check.
We'll always remember our angel baby: BFP 9/24/10, M/C 10/23/10 8w4d
I was at a hospital with an independent MW practice that had privileges there. I went home after 3 hours but could have stayed the night. It was 10:30 at night and if we were going to move from the delivery room to a different room, I figured we may as well move home (which I had hoped all along, but wasn't sure I would be able to go epi-free and be able to walk, etc.) It was so good to go home when not pooped from sleepless nights yet and still "high" from the birth. DS slept all night, and DH and I tried...but kept laying there saying, "Hey, did you know we have a kid?" or "Guess what? I just had a baby."
ETA - I spent the night in the birthing ward at Easter with a glabladder attack. That was enough for me... The nurses were good, but certainly not my MWs. During my delivery not a single hospital staff member entered our room. When my MWs left, we left.