First night in hospital
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We were really lucky and got a side room by ourselves which meant my partner could stay the night (I had a c-section) but honestly it was lovely being in that newborn bubble just us the first night. It was annoying having the midwives come in through the night to do checks but Iāve said Iād love to have an overnight stay again this time around x
Your partner canāt stay? Ours was allowed to stay the first night with our first (super helpful) then went home next night (which honestly was the worst). There were signs saying the couldnāt stay after the first night but I donāt think he would have been kicked out as other partners seemed to be there more than one night. Time just blurs, I didnāt get any sleep until I left hospital after 2 nights. Baby would not be put down for a minute without screaming. Would only sleep on me. Midwives were frankly horrible and unhelpful. There isnāt much that you need to do other than feed them almost constantly and not fall asleep holding them (the hardest bit), and occasionally change nappy. Fingers crossed you can escape quickly. I might take a white noise machine this time and a sleep bag/swaddle or blanket as my baby was wrapped in a too small towel for 1.5 days until a midwife seemed surprised no one had offered a blanket and then provided one š
I'm actually looking forward to the break and being able to spend time just me and the baby before returning to the chaos that is home life š
Have you been told you have to stay in after or are you requesting too? Not all births mean you have to stay in and quite alot go home on the day if no complications. I've had to stay in with my last 2 one for blood loss and the other diabetes, this time I think I will request to stay in if I'm not already told too just to give me a little break from my 1yr old! It can be hit and miss staying in, it allows you a break but 1st time I was on a ward where everyone's babies were crying all night š¤¦š¼āāļø most the time you don't get much sleep š¤£
Partners can usually stay so you wonāt be alone. My first was during Covid so I was literally alone and it was awful. Thankfully wasnāt for long - I got to the ward about 3am and was home mid-morning.
My sister gave birth at 6.43am on Monday and was home by midday, I think it just all depends on birth? This was her second though so Iām not really sure.. this is my first xx
So I had to stay for 3 nights after, (my partner went home at 10 pm everyday as I wasnāt going to make him sleep in a plastic chair 4 nights in a row š) I was in a room of 4, after main lights went out it became quite a quiet soothing time, you have your cuddles do feeds and changes, there are midwifeās and care assistants at a push of a button if you are struggling they can come help with babies latch or if you have any questions/issues. My first night I hadnāt slept in 48 hours which they knew and I had a box of colostrum in the fridge they asked if i wanted them to watch him for a few hours so I could sleep, and I got 3 hours sleep that felt like 20 š¤£ nobody will sit and watch you struggle just ask for the help if you need it x
Can your partner stay with you? Most hospitals I think allow one person to stay full time with you. To be honest, from what I remember from last time, the first 24 hours the babies are usually quite sleepy, it's the 2nd night where the cluster feeding kicks in - but for most people you're home by then anyway.
If you go with natural birth you may not have to stay, with my first I went home 4 hours after I gave birth x
Only thing Iām not looking forward to is leaving my toddler at home he will be just under 22 months old itās always just me and him while his dad is at work so itās going to be a huge shock for both of us Ive also got a 3 day stay prior to having baby to have steroid injection as Iām being booked in to have baby at 37ish weeks just waiting on our date for our c-section which will come in post within the next week x
I had an emergency c-section with my first and fortunately got moved to a side room on my own which was really lovely. Partner wasnāt allowed to stay (I was only in 1 night. Home by midday the day after my section). It was fine, it was so quiet and peaceful. Midwives put the sides up on my bed and I pretty much just slept holding my little boy š. I was quite well rested and wasnāt disturbed at all overnight apart from the odd little cry from little one. Fingers crossed you have a natural birth without complications and you will be able to go home after a few hours. X
Iām definitely feeling anxious about the idea of staying on my own post birth! I donāt think partners are allowed to stay overnight at my hospital, just hoping that I wonāt need to stay in for long x
Yes! I think I'm more scared for this than labour tbh š so worried about looking after a newborn alone while being exhausted and sore, think ill just stare at them all night waiting for morning. Hoping it won't be as tough as we're thinking it'll be š¤š»