Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?
Yesterday, we visited my dear friend and her brand new daughter who had just been born 12 hours prior to our visit. She still had that new baby smell on her!
I chatted with her mom and she told me that she couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital so she could get back on track. I just smiled. I know that feeling?somewhat. Due to the fact that I delivered with midwives, I was always home within 12 hours of the birth except for the birth of our last child. The midwife new I had very little family support and that my ex husband was not much help either. She let me stay at the birthing center for 3 days after the birth of my fourth child. I could have stayed longer, but due to an approaching ice storm, I chose to leave on the third day instead of risking driving my newborn home on icy roads.
I have to admit that while I was very excited to get home, I felt much better prepared to conquer the tasks and responsibilities waiting for me at home after being able to rest for 3 days. I say rest because constantly being monitored 24 hours a day isn’t very restful.
Everyone seems to have different ideas on this issue. I’d encourage you to do what is best for you. If you have a choice (sometimes you don’t have a choice – either your insurance company doesn’t cover for maternity stays after 24 hours or you or the baby are very sick), it’s best to make your decision carefully.
Should you stay as long as you are able to stay, or leave at the first chance you get? Here are some things to consider:
- How is the baby doing? – If he or she is struggling with weight gain, having trouble nursing, or looking yellow, you may want to stay extra time.
- Do you have Step B? – You may want to stay longer so that the staff can monitor your child to see that he or she doesn’t develop complications as a result of this.
- How was your birth? – If you have a traumatic experience, you may need extra time for your body to heal.
- How is the weather? – I know of women who have decided to leave the hospital early because there was a mandatory evacuation of their area due to a hurricane that was approaching. I’ve also known women who, under the same circumstances, chose to stay with their infants in a hospital that had made accommodations to deal with such a natural event.
- Do you have family support? – If your family is supportive, or you have a large circle of supportive friends, you may be able to get help during those first few exhausting days.
- Do you have other children? – If you have a large, young family to tend to, rest as much as you can after the birth of your baby.
I am not sure what my friend will decide. Her family lives locally and they are incredibly supportive of her and her young family. She is healthy and her birth was uneventful. Her daughter is doing well and gaining weight as she should. I won’t be too surprised if I get the phone call today announcing that they’ve returned home.
Do you have any recommendations for new moms? Should you stay where you delivered you child as long as possible—or should you go home as quickly as you can?
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