When to go home?

[Rachb1987]

Hi everyone I gave birth to a beautiful little boy last Saturday, at 30+1. I've had problems for the whole pregnancy and knew I wouldn't go full term although the doctors seemed to think i would!
I'm staying in the unit with my baby at the moment but wanted to know othe peoples experiences of going home and havingb to leave their baby. I know I would still be here all day but I am dreading the thought of having to leave him at nite. And at the same time, not feeling too great myself staying in a tiny room in a hospital :/ I don't know what to do xxx

 

[AP]

The first few nights are the hardest when you go home, but it gets better , I promise. I went home when I knew Alex was stable enough, after about a week. I also wanted to free up space for other parents though, as i knew it was tight in our hospital.

You should be able to phone in the night if you have any concerns or want a quick update.

As much as I found the first night away truly horrid, i knew it had to come. Once the hard part was over I knew I could go home and concentrate on getting everything ready for her homecoming between visits.

 

[sunnylove]

We only lived about 10 miles from where LO was staying in the hospital, so I think that's partly why it wasn't difficult to leave him and go home. Plus, I had been on strict hospital bed rest prior to having him for 3.5 weeks and was MORE than ready to go home. The fact that my little guy was stable and healthy from the start helped, too. Everyone is different. We made sure to call every night before we went to bed and in the morning when we woke up. Best wishes to your little guy!

 

[Foxybabyhg3]

I was practically booted out after 4 days. I wasn't ready, and I had to take a few deep breaths at the exit, but once I got home and got into a routine it was ok. I knew she was in the best hands and I could visit or call whenever I wanted to. I was lucky enough to only live 3 miles from the unit. I'd get up, sort myself out, be there after ward rounds at 12:30, DH would arrive straight from work at 6pm and we'd stay till about 9-10. It was a long day but once you're used to your own routine it's easier.
Just know that LO is in good care & the nurses are more than happy to give you an update at silly hrs in the morning if you need it

And congratulations

 

[Dinah93]

We didn't have the option to stay unless basically they thought your LO could need you nearby because they weren't doing well at all. So I stayed until I was discharged (11 days after birth) and she stayed another 90 days. Leaving that first time was horrible, I sobbed all across the car park and if DH hadn't held my hand so tight I'd have run back in. However going home was good for me, I slept better, I did call before bed, during the night and on waking, but I was able to eat what I wanted and have the support of my DH cuddling me when I was down.