Going directly home after birth?

This may be a Christchurch-specific enquiry; I'm don't know whether or not it's nationwide that women are turfed out of the birthing hospital (Chch Women's) two hours after the birth and transferred elsewhere. I'd be fascinated to find out whether this is standard practice.

I'm thinking of going straight home after the birth rather than being transferred to St George's. We have everything ready now (clothes in lots of sizes, bed, bath, nappies, etc.). My husband will be at home with me, my mum lives 5 minutes away by car, and I have confidence in my midwife and family doctor to give me extra support and advice as needed.

I hate the thought of strapping her into a carseat when she's an hour or two old. We live a very short walk from Chch Women's and could carry her home (well-wrapped up, of course!), instead (or, rather, her dad could). Even if we bring her home in the car (if there's a chilly wind, or it's raining, or we're too shattered to manage a couple of blocks' walk), it still seems better to take her only a wee way immediately to the place that will be her permanent home.

The hospital we'd be transferred to is, by contrast, ages away from our place. We don't have a car, so my husband would be dependent on lifts or taxis to visit us. Given that if the baby arrives before midday we'd be moved home the next day anyway, is it worth going there at all?

The baby is due in just under a month (Dec 3) and I'm having the big talk (logistics of the birth) with my midwife next week. I'd be grateful for any information or thoughts or insight. I haven't made up my mind by a long shot- obviously, I want to do what's best for the baby. But the idea of going there where my husband ISN'T and far away from home comforts is really unappealing.

What are the pros and cons of being in hospital for 1-2 days after the birth? Advice, please!

Sarah

i came home 9 hours after my first son (had to stya due to bleeding) and 2.5 hours with my second. i refused to stay in hospital though so as long as i stayed min 2 hours i was allowed to go home if no problems. My reasoning was that DH was dying to be a dad and where i had my kids the husband couldnt stay which i found appaling. i refused to have a baby and then send DH home alone. i hate the idea of strangers looking after me and i knew DH knew me so much better and would be more help and he totally was. he was amazing and i dont regret it one bit.

it is totally up to the individual though. if you are at all anxious about having a baby or being a mum or anything like that i would recomend staying iin so that there are ppl around you that you can ask about stuff as it comes up. i have a sister with kids so although me and DH were on our own from the start i had a wee bit of experience and found that logic plus previous experience got me through no probs

Hi Sarah, welcome to OHbaby!

With my 1st child I was transferred from the delivery suite to the ward at 11:30pm then went home the next morning at about 9am (so DD was a little over 12 hours old).

With my 2nd I transferred from the delivery suite at Wellington Womens to Kenepuru hospital which is about 30 mins drive away (but closer to home) and I stayed there 3 nights.

Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. 

The main reason I decided to go home asap after having DD was that a women in the room with me spent the entire night complaining about anything and everything (including her new baby) but then at Kenepuru DS and I had a room all to ourselves with midwives that checked in on us occasionally.

At hospital there are restricted visiting hours and visitors tend not to stay as long but at home unless you're very clear (and DH is ready to act as bouncer) you'll have lots of well-meaning friends and family popping over preventing you from getting as much rest as you otherwise may.

At hospital I didn't feel guilty about not doing the dishes or making the beds or putting on a load of laundry so it was definitely more restful plus when DS had his wakeful night (which is usually night 2 I think) I was shattered the next morning so the midwife offered to take him for me and hung out with him in her nurses station while I got a sleep.

I wish with DD I'd stayed at least until after her first bath so we had someone experienced with us while we did it.  She had meconium caked in her hair so we gave her a bath the first night.  We were told that babies love water and that baths are relaxing for them.... they were so wrong!!

I am seriousoly considering going straight home next time though.  DS had really settled nicely by day 4 then we took him home and his world changed all over again - poor little man.  I missed DD terribly and I regret that she didn't get more time with her brother in the very early stages and the hospital beds aren't very comfortable plus the meals aren't the best either.

Have you considered going straight home and hiring a doula (or a family member willing to do the same work for free) for the first week while you find your feet?

Edited by MrsMojo

Hmm well, in Hastings, you get individual rooms, and bubby is in with you and DP/DH can stay the night (or a support person if you are single) they do have to provide their own bedding or stay in the chair.
I stayed 3 days, induced Thurs, baby born Fri morn 4am, stayed till midday Sun. I found it really helped with Breastfeeding and I got away without changing the yucky tarry meconium poo nappy. Hehe I feigned ignorance of nappy changing to get the nurse to "show" me. I'm evil.
But anyway I find it a bit amazing that the expect you to pack up and go to yet another hospital when the bubby is only 2 hours old.
In your situation I would probably go home.

I'm wanting to do a homebirth with my next, I think it would be so much more relaxing.

With my son I never made it to the maternity ward (45 minutes away), I had him in the old folks home of the local clinic (5 minutes) it was either that or the side of the road. If it hadn't been for my midwife who was waiting for me at the maternity ward calling an ambulance I would have come straight home. Even then I lasted a few hours and begged my mum to come take me home (complete waste of time even sending me down there, I hated it. I wanted my bed, my toilet, and my shower).
If all the checks are fine so long as you are comfortable I don't see anything wrong with going home :)

I think one of the main pros about staying the hospital can be help with latching, if you are planning on breastfeeding,however,if you have confidence in your mw's abilities, she should be able to guide you there.

For me I stayed at the birth unit after having my first cos I lived at Bethany centre with lots of young hormonal pregnant girls and it was a nice break !

I stayed at the birthing unit near us with my son, this time because I had a 7 year gap between my kids and Caitlyn had been my baby for so long that I wondered how I would bond with him, I needed those moments of just him and me

And this time I will stay at the birthing unit for pretty much the same reason, I like to give all my attention for the first few days to the new baby

thats just what works best for my situation though, I think maybe in your case hiring a doula as Jo suggested or considering a homebirth as Hippymama suggested would be 2 good options

Edited by TheKelly

Hi there, I had my DS at ChCh Womens but he had to be seen by the paedatrician the next day so we were fortunate and got a room at Womens for 2 nights otherwise my options were Lincoln or Rangiora as St Georges was full.   We lived in Somerfield so neither option was handy for us. We would have gone to Lincoln if we didn't stay at womens - it's supposed to be quite a nice homely rural hospital but pretty far away from where you live though.

I was probably more of a nervous first time mum and was happy to stay in hospital as i didn't have a clue what i was doing or what DS needed and it was reassuring to have the midwives there at a push of a button and food/drinks brought to you whenever needed.   

It was hard when DH had to leave at 10pm each night but was better for him to get a full nights sleep to be more refreshed to look after us when we got home.

I do agree though that you may not be able to walk even the couple of blocks home straight after the birth and possibly birthing at St Georges instead or a home birth may suit you better.

I am due on 1st Dec with my second one but birthing in Tauranga instead but all going well will try and get home as soon as i can after the birth as i'm a bit more confident now!

All the best with the last few weeks of pregnancy and with whatever you decide to do!

I'm sure you will make the right decision for you sjanenz!
This has got me thinking about what I'm going to do when I have our second baby.

I HATED the hospital stay and I really want this time to be different. I had DD at 11am and left 24hours later.