Most mothers are studying everything they can about labor and delivery as your due date approaches, and for good reason! Unquestionably, this is a major turning point in your life.
However, today I want to concentrate on the period immediately following birth so that you're fully ready for your hospital stay as well! I know I did when I was having my kids.
There are several things you can do during your hospital stay to ease your transition home with your newborn during the crucial first 48 hours of your recuperation after giving birth.
I'm concentrating on the hospital stay following a straightforward vaginal birth in this piece.
Continue reading to find out what to expect after giving delivery, what to expect in the postpartum recovery area, and specific advice on how to make the most of your hospital stay. Let's start now!
Table Of Contents
- What happens right away after you give birth to your child?
- Accessing your postpartum recovery room
- What to anticipate during your hospital stay following delivery
- After giving delivery, how long do you remain in the hospital?
- 8 suggestions for maximizing your post-delivery hospital stay
- Do you feel more prepared now that you know what to anticipate?
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What happens right away after you give birth to your child?
Quite frankly, it seems logical to begin this post about your postpartum hospital stay with the baby's arrival. Basically, once the baby is delivered, you will spend around two hours in the labor and delivery room. The first feeding and practicing skin-to-skin contact with the newborn will be your key priorities during these two busy hours, provided that both you and the infant are stable.
However, while you're doing so, the following will happen all around you:
Most neonatal procedures can be delayed as long as both you and the baby are stable, and the infant can continue to have skin-to-skin contact on your chest for the next hour or more.
However, before you leave the delivery room, we will take measurements of the baby, regularly monitor vital signs, and give you a vitamin K shot and antibiotic eye ointment (these are optional and/or can be postponed until later in your stay if you wish).
At this point, the hospital can seem very busy. Keep in mind that emergencies can occur at anytime. Then there is a lot happening with YOU as well! If you have not received your little star as yet, ask the nurse if you can have your baby.
- After you deliver the placenta, your uterus will start to shrink back to its pre-pregnancy size.
- You'll probably require stitches now if you tore at all while giving birth. In case of extensive tearing (this is very dangerous),and may require you going to the Operating Theatre for repair.
- Your clinician will perform fundal massages on your uterus to make sure it is functioning properly. We take this extremely seriously because it's crucial for identifying further bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage. We have a range of interventions (many of which are performed directly at the bedside) to help things along if there is any indication that things aren't contracting properly or postpartum hemorrhage is taking place.
- Visitors can enter the room (at your request) and you can typically have something to eat and drink once we feel like your bleeding is under control and we've taken care of all of these other immediate post-birth tasks.
- Everything takes about two hours, as I previously stated, after which we will transport you and the infant to
- to a recovery room for new mothers for the remainder of your stay!
- You won't move if your hospital has an LDRP room, which stands for labor, delivery, recovery, and postpartum.
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Accessing your postpartum recovery room
- Private postpartum rooms appear to be the standard in most of the country, and postpartum recovery rooms are often a little smaller than labor and delivery rooms.
- Before going into labor, you should absolutely confirm the specifics of your postpartum room so that you can mentally get ready for the event.
- How do postnatal recovery rooms look like? Although you won't receive anything particularly fancy, you'll almost certainly get a public or private room with a bathroom close by.
- In the private ward; you may have a double or queen-sized bed is available for couples in some recuperation rooms. Some people offer pull-out sofa beds for couples to utilize.
- When it comes to mother, you'll probably have a single, typical hospital bed with motorized adjusting possibilities.
- When a baby is staying with parents, they usually have a safe, portable bassinet or cart that they can use as needed to move around the floor while sleeping.
- A common rule in most hospitals—if not all—is that infants can only be taken outside of the room. while riding in their tiny cot. Frequently, infant necessities are kept in this cart (diapers, burp cloths, creams, etc.).
- Rocking chairs, tiny refrigerators, a small table with two chairs for eating, and TVs are a few additional items that are frequently found in postpartum rooms.
Public units are different. You will have more persons who can be pregnant and non-pregnant. Their units are also more cluttered and busy.
Postpartum care that is family-centered
- A family-centered approach to postpartum care is being adopted by the majority of hospitals nationwide. As a result, postpartum suites provide cozy accommodations for partners and encourage new parents to stay in the same room as their baby (at least for the most of the stay!) This encourages you to keep the baby in the room as much as possible, even though you can still use the nursery a little to get some much-needed rest.
- It will be different if you are on the public ward. You will be among other pregnant or non pregnant women and the units are more clustered with everyone being none open space.
What to anticipate during your hospital stay following delivery
- We will start to bother you less once you are in your postpartum room, but we will still come in every 2-4 hours to check on you and the baby. If something strange occurs, it might happen more frequently.
- Your postpartum nurse will assess your pain, check in on your feeding, and be there to answer any questions you may have when they arrive to check your vitals.
- You will be fed breast, lunch and dinner during your stay.
- Some persons prefer to allow their spouses /relatives to bring in food from outside.
- If you are diabetic or have high blood pressure, you might be allowed to do this.
- You will have to get permission from your care providers.
- She will educate you on how to make yourself more comfortable as well as topics like swaddling, diaper changes, and cord stump care.
- Including demonstrating how to use an ice pack and other postpartum care techniques.
- You can anticipate the pediatrician to see the infant at least twice throughout your stay.
- (Perhaps more, depending on any risks or worries). Baby will undergo a hearing test and, in most states, a heel-stick blood test to screen for various abnormalities.
- Before being released, your OB or midwife will examine you as well. You'll also need to fill out a ton of paperwork, including the crucial details for the birth certificate!
After giving delivery, how long do you remain in the hospital?
Most insurance providers pay for a 48-hour hospital stay following a vaginal delivery, and most hospitals appear to follow this standard practice. Furthermore, a variety of variables affect whether you and the baby are ready for discharge. the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2015 issue a formal policy statement recommending that a set of criteria be used to determine the length of stay rather than a specific time frame.
Some of the elements to consider are:
- Mother's state of health
- Newborn's stability and health
- Mother's capacity and assurance in her ability to care for her and her infant
- adequate domestic support mechanisms
- Having access to timely aftercare
- Mom, the provider, and the pediatrician should all be consulted.
- The formal statement has further information on all of these elements, including more specifics on how health and stability are defined.
- Even with all of that in mind, it appears that the typical hospital stay is just about 48 hours with 2 overnights (maybe a little more).
- the length of stay should be determined by a set of criteria rather than a time limit, according to an official policy statement, but commonly includes two overnights.
What if I desire a hospital stay that is extremely brief?
- If your delivery is straight forward and you're interested in a shorter hospital stay, it might be achievable. I typically advise moms to enquire about this before hand to learn about the specific early discharge policies at their hospital.
- I have undoubtedly witnessed mothers depart before the 24-hour mark or right at it. These are frequently women who have given birth naturally via vaginal delivery a second or more times. Mama and baby are stable, and they are confident in their capacity to care for a newborn.
- I advise my clients especially first time mamas to wait it out because there are risks at hand to consider including immediate, postpartum bleeding, and personal issues that could be helped by the government- e.g. some parents might have a poor support system and need help financially.
- It will take considerable persuasion on your behalf to leave before 48 hours. It takes a lot of work to get released, so speak up as soon as you feel like it might be possible given how you and the baby are adjusting to life after delivery.
10 Suggestions for maximizing your post-delivery hospital stay
Alright, now that I've given you a general idea of "what to anticipate" during your visit, I wanted to offer some tips on how to enjoy it to the fullest. Above all, keep in mind that this is a time to rest, heal, and learn as much as you can about caring for your baby in the moment, giving you the confidence to bring them home.
So, now that I've given you a general idea of "what to anticipate" during your visit, I wanted to offer some tips on how to enjoy it to the fullest. Above all, keep in mind that this is a time to rest, heal, and learn as much as you can about caring for your baby in the moment, giving you the confidence to bring them home.
1. Get as much rest as you can
Even while it can seem obvious, if you're not intentional, it can be challenging to do. Your body needs to heal after giving birth. And you need rest and sleep for that to happen.
It's already rather difficult to sleep with all of the specialists stopping by to check on you and the baby, not to mention the newborn to look after. Do not allow too many visitors or assume that you must use Facetime and a lot of phone calls during these initial days. Mama, you need to rest!
2. Decrease visitors
- I really challenge you to restrict guests as much as you can during your hospital stay, even going so far as to say no visitors, to kind of piggyback on that final point. If you are not up to it, you do not have have to have visitors. It is totally up to you.
- Moms who don't have a lot of guests are frequently able to sleep more and spend more time relaxing.
- more time concentrating on learning from the professionals at their disposal how to breastfeed and perform other infant care procedures.
- Actually, from my perspective as a nurse, one of the benefits of COVID was the ban on visits. Without having to feel guilty about "hosting" visitors, you could use their 48-hour hospital stay to actually recover and concentrate on the baby.
- I'm aware that not everyone will concur, but I just want to be open about how I felt back when guests were outright forbidden.
3. Gain knowledge of infant care
It's funny how these are all connected, though. Yes, but Having access to skilled infant care specialists, postpartum nurses, and one-on-one time with the hospital pediatrician during your hospital stay is such a blessing.
4.Ask a lot of questions
When the staff check in with you between times,( like every 4 hours) make notes on anything you wish to know! As a midwife it feels so rewarding when I can help a mama. I love when my clients ask questions. Knowledge is indeed power! It calms worries and brings peace to our lives.
5. Consult lactation consultants.
And if you intend to breastfeed, you must do this! I want you and the lactation consultant on staff to become close friends. The majority of large hospitals will always have one there. They often just stop by once or twice while you're there, but if you act like a squeaky wheel and demonstrate a willingness to learn, you can see them a lot more frequently. Have them come even if you don't "think" there is a problem if only to see you feed your baby.
They will undoubtedly offer some guidance and assistance. Your postpartum care nurse is probably extremely knowledgeable about the fundamentals of breastfeeding as well, especially if your hospital doesn't have readily available LCs. Use her, then!
6. Make yourself an advocate
This is quite significant. During your hospital stay, don't be afraid to ask questions or express concerns about anything you don't understand. Make sure you receive the help you need after you leave the hospital and don't let persistent discomfort be ignored.
For more detailed information on what you can do, I encourage you to read our article Ways to Advocate For Yourself During Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond.
7. Establish relationships with your nurses and other employees
Here it is If you will, this is a little insider information. However, your entire experience will be improved if you can connect with the nurses and personnel. Your nurses want to draw the link that, on the whole, MOST new mothers already do this, however, as the saying goes, you attract more flies with honey than vinegar.
So even if something is aggravating you or you feel offended, be assertive and speak up for yourself, but try to do it in a polite and respectable manner. I promise the experience will be better!
8.Manage social media posting early
Make sure you are VERY specific with loved ones if you don't want your birth to be shared on social media (particularly before YOU get a chance to do it)! Requesting that they not distribute any images, news, etc.
I don't want you to have to deal with this familial turmoil, which I have witnessed around this. It's okay if you don't mind if other people publish freely and share your news. This is an extremely subjective choice.
9. Make use of the hospital's supplies
Almost everything you'll need for your newborn's comfort and your own postpartum comfort is available at the hospital. Use everything they have without a doubt, and don't be hesitant to bring free supplies home.
You can call your hospital to find out what they offer to avoid you bringing extra stuff in your hospital suitcase.
10.Give God thanks for all He has done to bring you and baby safe
Remember it is God who has brought you this far. To safety, you and your baby. Give Him thanks for His favour upon you. Continue to trust in Him with ALL your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5,6. In ALL things we give thanks!
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