After labour...

[seventh_heaven]

The Gold Coast hospital generally encourages you to go home as soon as you and your baby are given a clear bill of health.

Mothers-to-be are also encouraged to do child birth/care classes prior to birth. I believe these are still available free of charge at the GC hospital.

During your stay in the maternity ward, the nurses / midwifes on duty will support you in new skills such as breast feeding and infant care whilst in hospital but they are usually run off their feet (so I would also recommend reading / studying as much as you can before the baby arrives. Some midwifes/nurses are more empathetic and caring than others (that is a really unfortunate reality in public hospitals). Don't worry though, they won't send you home if you are state you are 'NOT feeling confident' and they also offer a home visit program (early discharge/midwife visits) for up to 7 days after birth. The midwifes that do the home visits are very supportive.

Generally speaking most women who have had a normal vaginal birth with no complications stay in hospital for 12-72 hours. You'll probably be surpised how keen you'll be to go home - sharing a room with 4 other women and their unsettled babies is not always the best way to recover after birth. Being home and having daily visits from a midwife is a great initiative. There are also Queensland health care centres around the GC where you can discuss childcare with a nurse - these services are a great asset for the first 12 weeks after birth too. I don't know where you live but there is one is a great one in Helensvale (you might be able to get contact numbers from them)

Hope that helps.