Going home on the day I give birth?

Question

A week ago, when asked to choose where to give birth, I opted for my local birth center. However, I have since then discovered that women get sent home on the same day, as there are no facilities to accomodate them any longer. As a first time mum, this worries me. Has anyone been in the same situation?

Answer 1

My first was born in a hospital. I went into labor on a Sunday morning and he was born a little after midnight that night (so Monday morning). I chose to go home Monday evening.....I think we got home around 8-9 p.m.

My second was born just after midnight in a freestanding birth center. I slept a while and we left around 10:00 that morning. I think I could have left as early as 6:00, but I was tired since we were up so late.

My third was born at home. I would never leave home to have a baby again unless there was a medical indication that I needed to do so.

They will tell you what kind of things you need to watch for in both mom and baby. If there is any sign that you aren't healthy enough to go home, they would transfer you and admit you to the hospital.

You will be able to rest and relax at home. You'll be able to eat food that you like instead of yucky food service meals. You'll be able to curl up in your own bed with you sweet baby. You'll be MUCH more comfortable.

Talk to your caregiver about any concerns you have. I'm sure she'll be able to put your mind at ease. They will usually call or visit within 24 hours to follow up on you and definately see you within 48 hours of the birth.

Answer 2

I had three babies in the birth center and one in the car. The hospital will send you home after a day or two anyway. In my personal experience, the postpartum problems I had were not until 4 or 5 days postpartum. I would have been at home anyway because the hospital will not keep you that long after a normal, uncomplicated birth. I had an overactive thyroid and later an infection. The infection did not show up until 5 days postpartum. Going home right away made no difference. You cannot stay in the hospital long enough to really see if you are going to have any complications, so you might as well go home.

Answer 3

No, I stayed two nights and was glad that I did. I would have been very concerned to have my baby and then leave that same day. Unless you have VERY GOOD support at home, that means someone there all the time that will be willing to take care of the baby while you get some sleep and rest, then I would change to a facility that allows you to stay at least overnight. A lot of things can happen to a new mom as far as healing right after having a baby. Being under the watchful eye of a nurse and a doctor for a day or two does not hurt and should be done.

Answer 4

even if you choose your local hospital if no complications they can and normally do send a mother home after 6 hours of birth wether 1st baby or not depending on the time of delivery.you should feel better about coming home and going home as the hospital etc are not the quietest or the most private of places and being a new mum you want to bond and catch up on some well needed sleep amnd rest in peace and in your own surroundings.have a think about it dont worry if you feel a little nervous the midwifes will show and tell you everything you want and need to no before you and baby are discharged.good luck and best wishes.xx

Answer 5

I'm sure you can change where you would like to give birth. I had my first in the hospital and stayed for a day. I was to scared to go home so soon because things could go wrong within the first day or so. I had a choice to stay up to 3 days. With this one I'm going to do the same thing. If you don't want to go home so soon then ask to change the place

Answer 6

Don't know where you're living but in the uk as soon as you give birth you get a heath visitor who comes to the house and shows you what you need to know. The midwife come to you every day for the first week anyway so any problems that arise she's there for you.When I gave birth to my 1st child in a hospital, I just wanted to get home to my own surroundings. My last child I came home the same day and the midwife still came and was at the end of the phone so don't worry. They won't just throw you in at the deep end!

Answer 7

Here in the UK you don't have much choice where you give birth as it is usually your local hospital.

Policy is 6 hours if there were no complications, 4 if its your 2nd.

That scared the sh!t out of me!

When I went in I had my son at 12.55am and went to the ward to sleep at around 3 in the morning. At 8am they came round with breakfast and this scary woman said to me 'you'll be thinking of going home today then?'!!! I was freaking!

Turns out they were quite quiet and I got to stay in another 2 nights. I was also breastfeeding and they were quite keen to keep breastfeeding mothers in to ensure your getting on ok.

Going home with a new baby is the scariest thing I have ever done. I didn't know what to expect! Home seemed like an alien place to me and I was petrified. I could have been in for a week and still been scared sh!tless about going home though. Its got to be done sometime.

Some people are itching to get out. My sister had her second baby a few months ago at 11am and was home in time for tea. I think with the 2nd and so on people are keen to get home as life goes on - new baby or not.

This shocked my mother. When she had us it was 5 days regardless. It is true, you need time to rest and recoupporate but you need to face it sometime.

My advice would be to breastfeed (obviously there are health benifits but I never carried on after 6 days as I was struggling with it) as they seem to keep breastfeeding mothers in longer. Speak to your midwife and act daft at the time - they might keep you in for an extra couple of days.

But sadly it seems normal now to go home the same day. For me it would have been scary whenever I had to go home!

Best thing you can do is preapre. Have all your baby clothes ready and washed, get someone to make up the bottles (if not BF'ing) and enlist as much support as you can for the first few days at home.

Try not to worry about it to much.

All the best for your pregnancy and the new baby.

Answer 8

As long as there are no major problems with the birth, then that's fine. You'll be more comfortable in your own environment to rest and get your energy back. Birthing is a very natural thing, and a lot of women even stay home to do it. My dad was born at home.

Answer 9

If there are any complications, or any concerns about sending you home so soon, they'll refer you to a doctor or send you to the hospital... So long as everything is going well, there's no reason you can't go home after a few hours recovery... I did with my first, and it was fine. Just make sure you have someone at home to help out with housework and preparing meals for the first few days. You'll need to rest well.

Answer 10

I have not, but my mom has. She had five kids and she actually preferred to go home the day she had her baby. Once she had the baby, all she wanted to do was go home and be with the new baby and the rest of the family. The art of delivering babies has become so much better in the last few years, there are very few deliveries with complications. As long as you don't have complications, I would say you would be fine. Good luck!