Fruit Tingles does the hospital have an early discharge plan? No-one can force you to stay in hospital if you don't want to. No-body can force you to do anything you don't want to. The only time it gets complicated is if they think something is wrong with the baby then a whole different set of rules apply. I have seen women who have delivered in the hallway of the hospital be discharged less then 12 hours later and the same for those who have arrived having already delivered. They may want you to stay for a few hours just to watch for bleeding but again, it is entirely up to you.