Night 1-need someone to stay with me?

Starfish+77 · January 2014

I'm due with DS in a few months and have another csection scheduled. With DD she was not in the room since she was in the NICU. I want DH to go home each night so that DD doesn't feel abandoned. And quite frankly, I have no other options for someone to stay with her. Will I be OK on my own assuming the baby will be staying in my room at the hospital? I recall being in quite a bit of pain the first day or so and unable to get out of bed at first, so hopefully the nurses will bring he baby to me to BF?? Anyone else stay alone at the hospital after csection?

EmR22 · January 2014

I didn't stay alone at night but my DH had to leave the day after for a few hours and I was alone. I was able to get out of bed at that point and able to change him and feed him. The nurses will most certainly help you out and bring the baby to you/change LO if needed. In my experience with 4 kids 98% of nurses in this area rock and love to help. I'm sure there are single moms out that that had the same situation. Good luck!

slwprincess · January 2014

I would be ok on night 2 but probably not on night 1. I know I couldn't get out of bed on my own to change diapers or go to the bathroom. Yes, the nurses will help but I remember that it could take them a while to get to me particularly if they were helping another patient. Not cool if baby is crying her head off! Also, that night was particularly rough on me with the hormone crash. I had SEVERE chills and sweats and it was pretty scary. Does the hospital have a night nursery so they could keep the baby in there and just bring her to you for feeds?

InLovewSB · January 2014

On Night#1, I still wasn't able to get up out of bed, so I would not have been able to get up out of bed, pick up the baby from her infant bed, and nurse her. Since breastfeeding is important to me, I would have been very distraught at not being able to nurse her until the next morning.

Starfish+77 · January 2014

Thanks everyone for your input. My csection is scheduled for 2PM. I would feel much, much more comfortable having someone stay with me the 1st night, but not so sure it's an option. My hospital does have a nursery (day/night) but I would much rather have the baby in my room at all times, especially since it couldn't happen with my DD.

Switzerland · January 2014

It was crucial that my husband be home every night to tuck my other kids in bed. You will need help the first night and that is what the nurses are for. I let them take my baby to the nursery and bring them to me when he needed to nurse (every 3 hrs). You won't be able to twist and turn easily without searing pain to lift the baby out of the plastic tub. You will have to call the nurses when you want to hold him and put him back, but that's ok. This is what they are there for, to help you.

Kim22 · January 2014

I also wanted DH to be with my other kids. My sister stayed with me night 1 and then I sent the baby to the nursery the other nights. The nurses brought him in for me to breastfeed. I went home much more rested and ready to take care of 3 kids at home that way.

kailapop · January 2014

I bf and LO stayed in the room with me. I sent DH home. Every time LO woke up on the first night I just buzzed the nurse (as I was told to) and they came in changed his diaper and then gave him to me to bf. Once I was done they came back in and swaddled him up for me so we could both rest.

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woeh0017 · January 2014

Hospital policy for me was that I wasn't allowed to be with baby alone in the room until I was free of all wires (IV, cath, etc) and that was not possible on night #1. So baby wouldn't have been able to stay with me without another adult.

amie444 · January 2014

It depends on the person. But I was fine. I was a month early so all of my planning was out the window and my DH had to go home every night. My nurses were awesome and I had no problems. I was able to be out of bed by the time he left.

HotChocolate79 · January 2014

The first night was rough - I would have needed someone to stay with me. Somehow I remember that my hospital had a policy to take the baby to the nursery for the first night but I am not sure. This time, DH will stay with me again and my parents will stay with DS. He is very close to them and knows them really well - they live nearby and see him almost every day, so I feel good about this arrangement.

petitmonstree · January 2014

Well with both DS and DD they needed to be monitored in the nursery. DD it was only the first night but with DS he was in there for 2 nights since he needed to be under oxygen until his breathing regulated.

However if you really need help the nurses will let the baby stay in the nursery. We had DH's mom stay with DD the first night and then DH stayed home with her afterwards and would come during the day with her.

Eleventy11 · January 2014

Many hospitals will not leave the baby with you if you are alone. You might check their policies before you make a decision.

Ritzy19 · January 2014

I would check the hospital's policy beforehand. At the hospital where I delivered, I was not allowed to have the baby in the room with me after my CS's without someone spending the night.

Mama-Bear · January 2014

At the hospital I delivered at, if you had a c/s you couldn't have the baby in your room the first night if you were alone. Like you, I had DH go home to be with DS1 for some consistency. My nurse was great and I was able to have them alone for as long as I wanted but when I was ready to sleep she would get them. They were only away from me for a few hours. The following night I had them in my room with me all night.

zbeesma86 · February 2014

I was on mag so I couldn't get up for 24 hours no they wouldn't leave DD in my room without DH. I was allowed one guest to stay the night so DD couldn't sleep in the too with us.

azzyberry · February 2014

I had my 2nd RCS yesterday. Last night DH stayed with me to help. Fortunately my parents were able to stay with our kids.

You definitely need help the first night because it's difficult to get in/out of bed everytime you need to get baby. If DH can't stay with you the nurses should be able to help you as often as you need with baby. I have a call button and they respond pretty quickly.

DH went home tonight to stay with our kids so I'm on my own. I'm able to get around much easier today so I should be fine but I know the nurses are available if I need them.

okayestmom12 · February 2014

I stayed alone each of the 3 nights I was in the hospital after DD was born. Truthfully, the nursing staff was fab and if I needed help with anything, they were right there. I felt that by sending DH home, we could get some decent sleep so that when we got home, we both wouldn't be exhausted.

When we have our second, we'll do the same. DH will go home to be with DD/ keep her on schedule/ etc. I survived those 3 nights as a new parent just fine

Worcbride · February 2014

I stayed alone after DS was born--my parents had DD but we had animals that needed taking care of (he was a RCS but he came 3 weeks early). DH also got crappy sleep the night he stayed with my after DD was born cuz the nurses kept coming in--figured if he could get a good night in then all the better. The nurses help with everything.

ebeveroth · February 2014

DH said the first night, but the had a boys night with DS the second night. I sent the LO to the nursery, but had them bring him to me when he needed fed. The nurses changed his diapers, helped me burp him, and calmed him. It was difficult to rock or bounce LO and the nurses were great about helping!

BC&LM · February 2014

I would have had a tough time without my husband! I don't think I could have done it. Everyone is different, though.

BC&LM · February 2014

hls19 said:
I was on mag so I couldn't get up for 24 hours no they wouldn't leave DD in my room without DH.

Also, this! I was actually talking about my second night in the previous post. My first night, I was confined to bed because of the magnesium sulfate. If DH or another adult were not there, LO would have had to go to the nursery.

shamyfowler · February 2014

I don't know if I'll have an c/s this time. If so, then I think I will have DH stay with DD. And then I will have my mom stay with me. I remember being really out of it that first night and so sore and sick. And others may be right, it might be hospital policy to have someone stay with you. I never thought of that.

kelliskoviraWed244758 · February 2014

I stayed by myself the first night after a 5:30 pm c section. DH had to go home to take care of dog... I was throwing up and sore but the nurses and nurses aides were very helpful in helping me to breastfeed and putting baby back when I was done. They also gave me short breaks here and there and took baby to the nursery that first night.

JennyCraig · February 2014

I guess I have a different story than most, but I'm in Canada. After DS #2, the nurses told me that it was up to me to change DS's diaper and I wasn't able to get out of bed alone (my DH was off signing documents because we were in the middle of purchasing a house). My DS sat in his own poo for about 45 mins before I freaked out and screamed at the nurses who finally agreed to change him. Perhaps my experience is different because our health care is different here but this time, I won't be left alone until I'm walking well.

amb04006 · February 2014

On night one, I wasn't even allowed to get out of bed, and they didn't remove my catheter until the next morning. I would say you need someone with you for night one. Especially if you plan on baby being in the room even for a short period of time.

DanandVan · February 2014

We were surprised to find that our hospital (which we were switched to at the very last minute per my Dr's orders) did not have a baby nursery at all! It was all rooming in, and there was no way I could have managed without dh or someone else to help.
If you really can't have dh stay with you, consider hiring a doula.

HopeNotLost · February 2014

I didn't WANT to be alone, but I could have done it. I had a great c-section experience. She was born at 2:20 pm and I was up and walking around 6 pm. I was tender of course, but it wasn't like I was running a marathon. I helped give her her first bath, dressed her, changed every diaper (except DH got that first poopy one hehehe). I had a very good experience overall.

krazyinsane · February 2014

My hospital requires someone stay with you if you're not sending baby to the nursery so since I never do that I have someone stay with me... DD#1 DH stayed, DD#2 my dad stayed, and DD#3 my aunt stayed, this time I invited my little sister, 14, to stay with me. They are there to make sure if baby chokes etc someone can care for them since I can't jump up and do it.

melnyg · March 2014

Our hospital requires that someone stay with you then entire time and honestly, I would not want to have a baby and then have my husband leave a few hours later. It's important bonding time for all of us. DS will prob stay with his grandparents or my aunt and uncle at our house. He adores all of them.

naflmj · March 2014

I think night 1 you will want him there but if he can't be, the nurses will help.

ChiTown Bridget · March 2014

I was in for 5 nights and DH was there the entire time. I am also having a repeat c/s and I will want DH home with DS at some point but not the first night.

Soon2BMrsN · March 2014

My hospital also requires someone to be in the room with me at all times. Also, even with an 8am RCS, my catheter was still in that first night. I would not have been able to get out of the bed to get the baby to nurse, and the hospital is "baby friendly" so there isn't really a nursery option. You should see what your hospital's policies are.

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