question about taking babies home

how does it work as far as getting to leave the hospital with your little ones? do they have to be a certain weight or do they have to be born by a certain week?

Re: question about taking babies home

My boys were born at exactly 36 weeks. They wisked them away once they were born where they have a pediatrician take a look at them and make a decision if they needed NICU or go to the reg nursery. Mine didn't need NICU time.

The doctor said (I think) that anything prior to 35 weeks or less then 5lbs is automatic NICU. So my boys were just on the cusp.

I took my boys home after 5 days of recovering in the hospital since I had a c-section. If they have to be in NICU you go home wihtout them until they reach their milestones that the doctor will want to see.

Message edited 1/8/2009 1:10:40 PM.

Re: question about taking babies home

My babies were born at 35 weeks.. my DD was 4lbs. and 10 ozs.. when she was born there was nothing wrong with her and they did not send her to the NICU right away. After one day she wasn't holding her temp so they sent her to the NICU. She battled through that in a day and was sent home with me on the day I was released (4 days after being born). When I took her to the pediatrician the next day she only weighed 4lbs. and 8 ozs (they lose water weight after they are born).. the Dr said to me "they let you take her home this small".... They sure did.. For us at Winthrop it didn't matter the size it was all about health.
My DS on the other hand was rushed right away after being born to the NICU.. he had under developed lungs and became jaundice.. He was 5 pounds and 1oz when he was born and gained weighted in the NICU.. He went home 10 days after being born and spent the whole time in the NICU.

Re: question about taking babies home

My boys were born at 35.5 weeks at 6 lbs 10 ozs and 3 lbs 10 ozs. One came home at a week old and the other at a month old.

It was horrible to leave one there and take one home but it really helped in the transition of having zero kids to two kids.

They need to be eating a certian amount based on their weight and need to maintain their boy temp to go home, it is not a weight and age requirement.

Re: question about taking babies home

Mine were born at 37w5d. DD was 4lb15oz and DS was 5lb1oz. DH held them the entire time I was being put back together after the c-section and then I held them for a bit in recovery. They went to the regular nursery for all the normal newborn care and then roomed in with me. We all went home together 4 days later.

Re: question about taking babies home

my boys were born at 37 weeks

both came right out of recovery laying on my chest
no nicu needed

they were 6.13 and 6.6

we all came home 3 days later

Re: question about taking babies home

Mine were born at 34.5 weeks. They were sent to the NICU because of there gestational age. They were 5lbs and 4lbs 15 ounces.

I had a c-section so I stayed in the hospital for 5 days. They both came home with me when I left.