[Blossom73]

Just wondering how long people stayed in hospital with a second (or more) baby?

With DS, I stayed 2 days after giving birth in the BC attached to the hospital. I had a private room, but did not find it very restful as ultimately it is a hospital, and I was on a floor where women had a lot more care needs than I (c-sections). If I leave the hospital before 48 hours, I can then have a midwife visit me at home for up to 5 days which I did for 3 days with DS. Also, terrible food!

I'm considering staying in for 2 days again, all being well, but I suppose I could stay even less. Any reasons to go home earlier (again, all being well)/stay longer?

[Leha]

24 hours. I wanted to leave after 4 hours but because I had refused to be tested for Strep B while I was pregnant and I didn't know if I was positive or not, I thought it best to keep ds in for observation.

I was in a room with 3 other first time mums and it was horrible and I didn't get a wink of sleep even though DS slept really well. I also hated the food and one of the girls in my room kept talking loudly on her phone during rest time.

But even if I had been in my own room I would come home straight away. I just feel much more comfortable being in my own home. Also I loved the midwife coming to visit me and fuss over DS. It was just much more relaxed and informal than if it had been in hospital. I believe 4 hours is the minimum time you can stay in assuming everything is going well and there were no complications.

[Jaffacakes]

Had DS around 7pm, left the next morning (around 10am.)

If this next one is born in the morning, I'll consider leaving the same day, if born after lunch, I'll probably stay overnight and leave the next morning.

[~ Binda ~]

With my second I was in and out of hospital all within 15 hours, arrived around 7:30pm had DS2 by 8:30pm stayed overnight and was discharged and in the car by 11am (once DH got over the shock of me calling him at 9am to come and get us).

For me it was the only option, I had had a wonderful delivery and was feeling great plus I find I can't rest in hospitals and guests turn up whenever they want whereas at home they have to call first (well my friends and relatives do anyway).

[B-B-M]

DD2 - less than 24hours.

Was up, showered and ready within two hours of having her - but alas they made me staya bit longer!

[SummerStar]

First 3 I was in for 3 days but my 4th I was meant to leave at 3am (4 hours after birth) but due to some circumstances I left at 8am so 8 hours all up. But the 4th one where I birthed they kick you out after 4 hours if everything goes to plan regardless of the time you have the baby.

[greatwon2]

for my 4th i only stayed the obligatory 4 hours, it was the greatest thing since sliced bread being able to leave straight away had her , then popped up and had a shower, hung around a little waiting for the hearing test then home sweet home. tho be warned that if your leaving after a short amount of time they just leave you hanging round in the delivery suite which at our hospital at least , only had the one chair so depending on how many people you have with you , it can be a bit of an uncomfy wait for them as obviously mum gets the chair

I'm hoping things pan out the same way again this time , but am not opposed to staying if it will be beneficial to bubs or me everything just happened to work out perfectly last time round.

You may even find the idea of having that bit of space - just you and the new baby for a few days to be a good idea after the fact. I'd pack enough for a normal stay and just see how things go

[liveworkplay]

I had a c/s for my first so stayed 5 days. Second 1.5 days at the hospital, 2 days at the Park Hyatt , DD3 was 2 days as I was bored. I quite like hospitals (have worked in them for many many years) I just found by the third I was very bored plus I had a funeral to attend when she was 3 days old.

[~Supernova~]

First child - 4 days, hated it!
2nd child - 6 hours or so at the hospital (and that was including labour and birth!)

[Blossom73]

Thanks everyone - will give it more thought!