Postpartum Hospital Stay (US)

[aidensxmomma]

So this is something that I've started thinking about a lot. When I had my oldest child, I had to stay in the hospital for 2 days after he was born. With my second, they were going to allow me to go home after 1 day, but because DD was jaundice, they recommended we stay for an extra day and I agreed. With DD2, we only had to stay for 1 day and were able to go home.

I absolutely hate being in the hospital. I'm comfortable delivering there because all the doctors and nurses and medical equipment make me feel less anxious, but afterwards, I just want to go home. When I have this baby, as long as everything goes well and there are no surprises or complications, I would like to be able to go home as soon as possible.

Does anyone know what the "rules" are in the US about postpartum hospital stays? Have things changed a lot in the last 4 years?

 

[Christina86]

I was in the hospital for 4 nights. 1st night was my induction and then I was required to stay for 3 nights total after baby was born. My friends who had babies via c-section had to stay 4 nights after baby.

 

[ChickenMommy]

I was in from Tuesday morning until Thursday evening with my first. She was a Csection premie with jaundice. So they kept us longer than they usually would have.

With my second, I delivered late Tuesday night (1020pm) and left around lunch time Thursday morning. I was able to be discharged after just 24 hours, but with his delivery being so late, they wouldnt discharge me until morning.

I totally agree with you though. Once baby is out I want to go home. I HATE being in the hospital. Its uncomfortable. Its boring. INCREDIBLY boring. I just want to go home and be with my family. Im hoping this time around I'll be discharged after 24 hours.

 

[bcos21]

We had a straight forward birth at line 1am. We were in for a little over 24 hours. My Dr Knew I needed to get home lol I hate hospitals

 

[Wannabe Mommy]

I had my LO at 6.30pm and was home around 9am the next morning. I asked to leave straight after birthday as I was induced due to GD they wanted to do a couple of sugar level tests on baby before discharge. Hubby doesn't drive and I didn't want to wait for family so called a taxi and made my own way home. I really don't like being in hospital

 

[OnErth&InHvn]

2005 c-sect- 5 days
2006 c-sect- 5 days
2007 VBA2C- 1 day

 

[SaraVO]

I was in for five days. I had an emergency c-section.

 

[Rhiannon137]

I think it varies from state to state, and can also depend on your health insurance regulations. In my case, if I left within 24 hours of birth, I would have had to officially sign out Against Medical Advice and the insurance company could have refused to pay claims resulting from a re-admission. I delivered my son in 2014 via a routine unmedicated vaginal birth at 11 am on a Sunday; since we were both doing well, and he maintained just enough of his birth weight, we were able to be discharged without a fuss the following afternoon. Legally, the hospital can't force YOU to stay (it's not a jail), but they can involve Child Protective Services if they feel it is unsafe for baby to leave.