Leaving the hospital 4 hours after birth

[AngelPants]

i stayed in hospital for 4 days after mr c was born, VB with episiotimy. mainly due to trouble establishing feeding and my milk not coming in properly. i loved staying there especially having someone to watch mr c while i had a nice hot long shower. i think i woulda wanted to leave sooner but DF was able to stay with me so was nice to have a babymoon with help!

[AndiE]

I personally think it depends on the birthing experience, BFing, baby and mum (not necessarily in that order!) - any or all of those combinations could cause a rethink on time stayed in hospital after birth.
I had uncomplicated, straight-forward births and had quick recoveries - but DS1 took quite some time to attach properly and I struggled with BFing in those initial days. However DS2 attached beautifully from the minute he was born and we didn't look back. I was in hospital 3 days with DS1 and less than 36 hours with DS2. Such different experiences. I was tempted to leave early with DS2, but after my BFing experience with DS1 I just wanted to make sure we "got it right" if that makes sense. The length of my stays were right for me.

I say good luck to anyone who leaves hospital early - sometimes home is the right place. I guess the only reason hospital staff would suggest you stay is if they felt there was an issue with BFing or similar. Not sure though.

For my two cents worth, I'd say plan for a short hospital stay if that's your intention, but keep an open mind "in case" you change your mind. Good luck!

[deletedit]

i stayed for over 3 days. they wouldnt discharge me until i had breastfeeding established.

I got this with my first. I ended up roaming the hallways bored completely witless, because the baby spent basically all day and night asleep and there are only so many 3 year old magazines you can read in the lounge. Wish I knew it wasn't a prison and I could have gone home earlier.

Stayed overnight with #2 (we didn't live local) and for 15 hours with #3, both of whom were very much NOT asleep (yay for no lingering drugs).

[RainbowBrite]

For my three full termers I was on the early discharge program...so left the hospital 6 hrs after birth and for week or two a midwife visits you at home.
They were all uncomplicated, natural, drug free VB's.
My 4th bub I was discharged 8 hrs after birth but only because he had to be moved to a bigger hospital because he was sick and I went with him...I was a border at the new hospital.
6 days with #6 because she was prem and they let me stay until she was ready to come home.
#6 and 7 I was in for 3 days after emergency c-sections (had to leave without my babies )

[Feijoa Mum]

For two of my births I left within two hours. I got up had a shower had something to eat and hi ho see ya later.
That was in NZ though where I had my own midwife for pregnancy and for six weeks after birth. So I knew I could call on her at anytime if I needed and she would come. As it was she called in on her way home from the hospital later that night just to check we were all settled.

With my my two born here however we have had some complications during labour so although I wanted to go home from the delivery suite I wasnt allowed to. I left fairly early the next day though.

If you feel good and confident with loads of support then there is no reason you cant go home soon after.
There is nothing like been home in your own bed with your brand new baby