Checking Out of the Hospital Early

Does anyone have experience with checking out early after labor? I am so against having my 2nd in the hospital but my DH is against home birth. I was talking to a coworker and she just told me she checked her and her daughter out of SB hospital about 5 hours after labor. Then another coworker chimed in and said his wife did the same she stayed one night then checked out early the next morning.
I know people can check out whenever, but this is okay to do for a newborn? I feel like my OB would discharge me from the practice if i went against his orders and just left.
I am just interested in peoples experiences bc I want nothing to do with staying overnight again.

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I think if your OB can discharge you, then you should be okay to go. I wouldn't go Against Medical Advise for insurance purposes but barring any medical issues, they should be able to discharge you.

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My OB would be furious if I did that. Doesn't sound like a wise move.

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I would speak to your OB about the earliest they would consider discharging you barring no complications & see what they say. I wouldn't go against your OB I myself begged to go home a day early & ended up being readmitted a day later bc of complications & got stuck there longer

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

If your OB and the Pediatrician approve it. I guess you can leave.

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Maybe you won't have a negative experience this time! Are you delivering at the same hospital?

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

Have you considered having LO at a birthing center?

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I tried to leave after one day and my OB laughed at me. He said the hospital wouldn't discharge the baby until after two days.

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I would be nervous to leave not just for me, but for the baby. I would never leave until the ped said it would absolutely be ok to do so.

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I went home < 24 hours after giving birth to my first (although I did stay overnight because he was born in the evening). It wasn't by choice! The hospital was evacuated because of Hurricane Irene and we had a choice of going home early or being transferred to another hospital. We opted to go home. So did my roommate who had a C section the morning my baby was born! We were OK but I had a rough recovery and luckily my parents (who had to evacuate due to Irene) stayed with us for 9 days and taught us how to take care of a newborn and helped us since we didnt get to go to any of the hospital babycare classes that they apparently offer once baby is born. I was a little stressed because baby latched immediately following birth but then wouldnt latch again for the duration of our stay -- I would have liked more time with the LC but he did eventually latch once we got home and I went on to nurse for 2+ years.

I will say, I stayed 2 nights with my second and the hospital stay felt like we were on vacation. I got to hang out with DH and friends/family/baby, pick out what I wanted to eat and have it delivered to me in bed, people cleaned up after me, replenished anything I needed, I was able to ring for help any time I needed it, plus I had a much easier recovery -- I wasn't really in a rush to leave

That said, there are some hospitals like St. Luke's Roosevelt that have a birthing center that might better fit your wishes for this delivery. Lots of luck!

Message edited 11/4/2015 12:46:55 PM.

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

After my last experience, no way would I leave early. I ended up spiking a fever after 2 days and needed 24 hours of IV antibiotics. Between my induction and recovery, I was in the hospital for 8 days. Sure it sucked, especially with a 17 month old at home.

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I just checked with my OB and they require one night before they'll discharge ., checked with our pediatrician who said they don't have any preference .. I can check out that day!
Thanks for the birthing center suggestions - but they're none close enough to me for comfort

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Yes, I did and I had a c section. I asked my OB if I could be released after 2 nights and he discharged me.

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Checking Out of the Hospital Early

The newborn screening test can't be done right away - IIRC, it is at least 25 hours after birth. When I interviewed a midwife, I think that was the earliest you were supposed to leave the hospital, unless they were doing a home visit with you.
You have to make sure your OB discharges you and your pediatrician discharges the baby and you are good to go.

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I wanted to come out a day earlier with a vaginal delivery last time as I had the baby in the middle of the night. My ob was ok but the pediatrician would not as he wouldn't be able to observe him a 2nd time.

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One thing to check is your insurance coverage. I recently read that with my insurance you cannot check out early after giving birth without the consent of both your OB and Ped. If you do, then you will be billed for labor and hospital stay.

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Checking Out of the Hospital Early

I wanted to check out early but my child's billirubin levels were too high

Depending which hospital you're at sometimes the staff pediatricians are sticklers

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I checked out a day early in September I was just done being there.. So two nights for my csection and tubal instead of the 3-4 they wanted

As long as the doc clears you and baby to go there's no harm in doing it... If you just left against medical advice that's when you run into problems

Checking Out of the Hospital Early

The hospital was my last bit of peaceful existence. No way did I want to leave early lol

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