GTKY - Hospital Stay

JennMof3 · May 2017

Who usually stays as long as they can and who is like how soon can I exit left?

I tend to fall into the stay as long a I can. I like that I don't have to cook or worry about meals, someone else cleans up, and someone is always checking on baby. I tend to be stressed and anxious so the extra reassurance is nice. With the first two kids I think I actually cried when leaving, like y'all are just gonna let me walk out of here and trust I'll get it right. You could say my hormones are a little wacky LOL.

shmarpler · May 2017

I stayed the full two days my insurance allowed, but wished I'd left sooner. There was always someone coming in to check on something and it was not restful for me at all. I don't think I had an hour of peace my while stay.

Kylieslip24 · May 2017

I want out asap, but I am at risk for a pph so the logical side of me says the longer they are watching me the better. If I didn't have that risk baby would be born at home. I think as long as everything goes well I'll be staying for 2 days. I stayed 3 with dd because of the bleed.

ellie111227 · May 2017

I stayed as long as possible with dd. But my hospital was amazing and I just wanted to have someone keep bringing me delicious food every time I called for it. We also were going home to an apartment that wasn't that much bigger than the hospital room, so that was a factor. I could see myself wanting out sooner this time with an older hospital, another kid to get home to, and a house that I actually enjoy living in! I'll see how I feel when the time comes.

momma2char · May 2017

Last time I wanted out of there asap- this time I'm going to stay as long as I can with baby to try and establish breastfeeding since I have a toddler at home. DH will go home and take care of DD but come back and help when she's napping etc. I want a bit of extra time with me and baby and have the extra help at the hospital

delujm0 · May 2017

shmarpler said:

I stayed the full two days my insurance allowed, but wished I'd left sooner. There was always someone coming in to check on something and it was not restful for me at all. I don't think I had an hour of peace my while stay.

This. DD was born at 11:55pm so thankfully that counted as my first "overnight" there, so I was only truly there for 36 hours after the birth before getting released. I was GBS+ so they wouldn't let me leave any earlier because they needed to check DD for a bunch of extra stuff. I did not sleep the whole time I was there. This time I am hoping I deliver earlier in the day and only have to stay one night. If I do have to stay two nights, and I have another fairly straightforward vaginal birth, I'm going to at least send DH home to sleep the second night. We were both SO TIRED when we got home last time, we were worthless. It would have been a lot better if at least one of us had actually had some sleep the night before.

Wino0920 · May 2017

I'm in the middle. I'd rather be at home, but why. It take advantage of it while you have it? I stay until my doc says it's time.

mirdamae03 · May 2017

I stayed 3 nights with DS1 (cervidil insertion night before induction), 2 with DS2 (only because water had been broken over 24 hrs), and I plan on just 1 with this kid. Hopefully he cooperates

Stankonia2014 · May 2017

I'll stay however long they'll let me, which I believe is only about 2 days barring any issues.

LAMCH1980 · May 2017

I'm staying as long as they'll keep me! They feed me and take good care of me and baby there! Room service anyone?

JennMof3 · May 2017

@momma2char I really want to work on getting breast feeding really established before leaving. My son was 9lbs 3oz and it felt like I was never meeting his demands. We supplemented from day 3 on when he'd lost a decent amount of weight.

My hubby plans on spending the second night at home getting our 2 year old back from grandparents and back on schedule. I think my teenager will come to the hospital and stay with me like last time.

My hospital has a designated time for no visitors and the staff leaves you alone each day. This is a great time for a nap. All and all I'm always a light sleeper and the hospital is noisy and the disruptions are many. I was so exhausted last time after being awake over 48 hours I was falling asleep between change the channels on the tv. My daughter was laughing at me. I'm glad she didn't record it

mishmosh26 · May 2017

With DD1 I was in the hospital 6 nights, first for observation, second for induction, and 4 nights following a csection while they got my blood pressure under control. We really wanted to go home one day sooner. My husband hates the hospital environment and I felt his stress. This time I hoping for 3/4 nights depending on if I'm induced during or not. I will say that the hospital bed helped with csection recovery and that I was thankful my hospital had good food!

flyingncmama · May 2017

I would leave the same day as my C-section if they'd let me. I'm a nurse so I spend five days a week at the hospital working, I don't like being there as a patient. I'll try to sweet talk them into letting me leave the day after but I'm anticipating they'll want me to stay at least two nights.

teacher mom-2 · May 2017

Hard to say. Last time, I was in the stay forever camp because DD was in the NICU and I liked being near her and didn't want to leave her there. I do love my hospital, but I remember being annoyed at being woken up so much to be checked.

huskermom14 · May 2017

With DS I stayed the 2 overnights because he was our first kid and I wanted help with breastfeeding and all that jazz. I'm playing it by ear this time. Part of me says just get home and the other part is like but room service. We try to leave our patients alone at night and do their assessments when they're up and feeding anyway so they can rest while they can so that helps.

If I end up needing a c section I'll stay the full 3 days because I don't know how I'll do with the pain and not being able to take NSAIDs. Narcotics and I don't generally get along well.

Ahutch428 · May 2017

They gave me the option of one or two nights and I choose two. DH has the flu and I wanted to give him time to sanitize the house. I will likely stay the two nights again.

CurlyMommy416 · May 2017

I'll probably end up staying 2 nights. Last time I couldn't wait to break out, mostly because I already had a kid at home. My DH doesn't spend the night at the hospital- he's 6'3 and cannot sleep in the chairs/couches that they provide lol.

MrsCaliRN · May 2017

I stayed the mandatory minimum of 12 hours and I was out of there! Hoping for the same (or shorter if hospital policy has changed, but won't go AMA or anything) with LO on the way.

As a once L&D/post-partum RN, I felt confident about breastfeeding and keeping a close eye on DS in the first days of life. I did have to see the outpatient lactation consultant on postpartum day 2 to take before and after feeding weights to ensure adequate intake, which was kind of annoying, but worth me sleeping in my own bed the night before!

mamaelle27 · May 2017

Wow, a lot of responses today. Glad to see some regulars back in action!

I'm torn and will decide in the moment. Our hospital you don't get a lot of help, they don't have a nursery, and they disturb you a lot so from that perspective I should just go home and be comfortable. But, they do have good food. I'm anxious about being away from DD for two nights so thinking about only staying one, but on the flip side feel like I should take the toddler-free time while I can. Decisions!

I do know I will let DH go home to sleep. I didn't last time and he was a walking zombie and no help when we finally did go home. Plus, that way he can check in on DD.

mombod · May 2017

Team Get Me Out of There. Pending no issues we will go home 3-8 hrs after birth this time. Last time I was cleared after 4 hrs but we chickened out and opted to stay. We were out the door as soon as we hit 24 hours and wished we hadnt stayed.

Stankonia2014 · May 2017

CurlyMommy416 said:

I'll probably end up staying 2 nights. Last time I couldn't wait to break out, mostly because I already had a kid at home. My DH doesn't spend the night at the hospital- he's 6'3 and cannot sleep in the chairs/couches that they provide lol.

I'm the opposite. Give me all the peace and quiet and room service, because shit is going to get real when I get home. My DH doesn't stay overnight with me either.

teacher mom-2 · May 2017

Thinking more, I think I will stay again. I tend to overdo things and I tore stitches within the first day of being home because I am horrible at resting. The hospital leaves me with no place to clean, cook, or do things that are bugging me. I just have to take care of my boy and eat all their good food. I will make-up on sleep when I get home. I will send DH home though because we live less than a mile away if I need him and DD will need him I am sure even with grandparents here.

delujm0 · May 2017

I will at least agree that the food at my hospital is really good so if I have to stay at I have that going for me. But my in laws will also be at the house when I get home and they are awesome and will make me whatever I want or go out and get me whatever I want so that's basically just as good.

I have an HSA insurance plan and already blew through the deductible due to my two nights in the hospital with the Death Virus a few months ago, so at least most of this delivery and hospital stay will wind up being free regardless of how long I stay haha.

lovesclimbing · May 2017

My midwifery requires a stay of at least three hours after birth, and I believe it's limited by law to no more than 24 hours after birth. I plan to leave as soon as I feel up to it. I see no reason to just hang out there for as long as I can.

Kylieslip24 · May 2017

CurlyMommy416 said:

I'll probably end up staying 2 nights. Last time I couldn't wait to break out, mostly because I already had a kid at home. My DH doesn't spend the night at the hospital- he's 6'3 and cannot sleep in the chairs/couches that they provide lol.

Dh is 6'4 and I felt so bad for him last time sleeping on a teeny bench thing that my 5'1 self would barely have fit on. Luckily he will be taking care of dd this time so I will be jealous of him snuggling dd in our big tempurpedic. I guess it evened out for us. Lol

CapricaAndrea · May 2017

Normally my midwives would send me home after 4 hours, but since we live so far away they want me to stay long enough to do the 24h checkup for baby the next day rather than having either them or us drive the whole way again. I'm ok with that, it feels like a reasonable amount of time. 4 hours seemed a bit too quick for me, but maybe the 2nd time around I'll be happier to be home early.

CurlyMommy416 · May 2017

Stankonia2014 said:

CurlyMommy416 said:

I'll probably end up staying 2 nights. Last time I couldn't wait to break out, mostly because I already had a kid at home. My DH doesn't spend the night at the hospital- he's 6'3 and cannot sleep in the chairs/couches that they provide lol.

I'm the opposite. Give me all the peace and quiet and room service, because shit is going to get real when I get home. My DH doesn't stay overnight with me either.

Oh yeah, I definitely feel different this time around. Maybe because my kids are a little older, so they're more self sufficient? So I'm not as worried about them. Also they talk a lot and peace and quiet at the hospital sounds sort of awesome.

ladylolly89 · May 2017

My hospital is amazing and I will stay as long as they will let me (2 nights for a vaginal delivery). Heck yes I will take all the never-ending free room service and help with the baby! I mean, I could have cheesecake delivered at 2 AM if I wanted...
DH will be spending the nights at home with DS, which will be more enjoyable for all of us. I loved having DH there at night after DS was born, but I would be a mess if he didn't stay with DS this time around. He'll only be 14 months and too young to understand if we were both gone.

huzzahuzza · May 2017

Huh. I was team "get me out" until I read this thread and now I'm all "hmmmm room service?! Yes please!" We'll play it by ear. I'm sure with DS1 at home we'll wanna get home but ya never know!

zseirecarg · May 2017

I plan on staying the full time they will let me and learning as much as I can while there.

mtvkv5 · May 2017

I didn't know it was a thing to try and leave early. At my classes and tour they just stated it's a 2 day stay for vaginal and 4 for c-section. I think given the choice I would stay the whole time.

NathanheartsKim · May 2017

I leave within 4-8 hours depending on when baby is born. I want to sleep in my own bed!!

LAMCH1980 · May 2017

To those of you leaving in 3-4 hours, holy moly that sounds so fast to me! You must have had smooth recoveries to want to leave so soon.

momma2char · May 2017

LAMCH1980 said:

To those of you leaving in 3-4 hours, holy moly that sounds so fast to me! You must have had smooth recoveries to want to leave so soon.

Right?! I had a postpartum hemorrhage 3-4 hours after my daughter was born so I'll be staying as long as possible!

silliegirlie143 · May 2017

I stayed for 2 nights last time and that was 2 nights too many. I turned into a raging bitch about the staff who kept coming into my room in the middle of the night. It was REALLY unnecessary. The charge nurse ended up posting herself outside outside my door and promised to not allow anyone into my room from 1:30-5:30am. SHe was a godsend! It burns me to know that I will have to stay since I'm having a c-s this time.

lesson from last time: be an advocate for yourself! Speak up before you become known as THAT patient. Considering that I have a motorized bed at home, there's no advantage for me to be in a hospital room (barring any complications, of course)

emichelle86 · May 2017

I will be staying as long as they let me! Last time we ended up in an overflow room so we had two beds which was nice for DH, if we have two beds again he will stay overnight. If we are in a regular room with one of those chair/couches I will send him home to sleep. DD will be staying with the grandparents which she loves and does often enough that it won't be out of the ordinary for her. I'm looking forward to having food delivered and getting to watch tv other than Disney! I didn't have any complications last time and I'm hoping for the same this time so I can enjoy my hospital "vacation".

ellie111227 · May 2017

Wow, you guys who are sending your husband home so they don't have to sleep on the uncomfortable hospital chairs/couches are way nicer than I am. At our old hospital dh had a full bed, and I could never get him to wake up when I needed him to help me. When I saw on our hospital tour that this time he will just have one of those too-short pull-out chairs, I was like... "Good, maybe if you are uncomfortable I won't have to throw shit at you from my bed to get you to wake up and hand me the baby!" If I have to deal with my vagina being ripped open and a hungry person gnawing on my nipples, he can deal with less than ideal sleeping conditions for a couple nights. Does that make me a bitchy wife?

Stankonia2014 · May 2017

@ellie111227, I personally don't send DH home because of the uncomfortable chairs and such. We don't have a long term babysitter, so he is only able to be there for birth day and then he stays overnight with our other three while I'm at the hospital. He stayed with me and slept on the uncomfortable recliner for DD1.

ellie111227 · May 2017

@Stankonia2014 Yeah, we would be doing the same if we didn't have my parents to watch dd. I just thought the reactions of sympathy instead of me being like "haha, good" were funny.

EmeraldNC · May 2017

DH and I haven't even talked about staying at the hospital in terms of our kids. My parents and sister are local, so I just assumed they would take the kids. My parents love taking the girls (SD5 and DD3) as much as they can, so I figured it would be a nice couple/few days for them.

Last time, I could not get out of the hospital quick enough. I wanted to be home with my baby and was tired of nurses waking me up all the time!

emichelle86 · May 2017

ellie111227 said:

Wow, you guys who are sending your husband home so they don't have to sleep on the uncomfortable hospital chairs/couches are way nicer than I am. At our old hospital dh had a full bed, and I could never get him to wake up when I needed him to help me. When I saw on our hospital tour that this time he will just have one of those too-short pull-out chairs, I was like... "Good, maybe if you are uncomfortable I won't have to throw shit at you from my bed to get you to wake up and hand me the baby!" If I have to deal with my vagina being ripped open and a hungry person gnawing on my nipples, he can deal with less than ideal sleeping conditions for a couple nights. Does that make me a bitchy wife?

I will be sending DH home so he won't be totally useless when baby and I come home. I am going to want to lay in bed and sleep. I don't want him thinking he has an excuse to sleep bc he had crappy accommodations at the hospital....he can entertain DD while baby and I rest.

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