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Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

If there are no complications, for how long should I expect to stay in the hospital after giving birth?

Re: If there are no complications, for how long should I expect to stay in the hospital after giving birth?

The Bump Expert

If you have a totally smooth vaginal birth, you're likely to head home within 24 to 48 hours of delivery. You'll have to rest a bit after pushing out baby and wait for any anesthesia to wear off, and your doc may want to monitor you and baby for the first day or so to make sure no problems develop. Then, if all is well, you're likely to be back in your pad in no time.

Keep in mind that you may need to stick around for awhile if you have a cesarean or any complications. Use your extra time in the hospital to take advantage of the available support, like breastfeeding and baby care classes.

American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Your pregnancy and birth. 4th ed. Washington, DC: ACOG; 2005.

Paula Kashtan | May 28 , 2009 2:54 PM

re: Q: How long in hospital?

Usually you will stay two nights. However I was able to get my dr to release me with only one night stay since everything was going well.

robsbride! | June 12 , 2008 11:12 AM

re: Q: How long in hospital?

I work in L&D and the stay is 24 hours for vaginal births and 48 for c-sections.. Rarely do the vaginal births stay 2 nights..

heather318 | July 20 , 2008 2:12 AM

re: Q: How long in hospital?

My doctor told me for vaginal births it will be 2-3 days and for c-section it would be 3-5... I think it depends on the hospital.

rmhworthington | July 22 , 2008 8:19 PM

re: Q: How long in hospital?

I'm going to a birth center, where they will send me home after about 4 hours if there are no complications. They would rather I rest at home.

Miss Tina Claire | July 25 , 2008 5:24 AM

re: Q: How long in hospital?

I knew a woman that convinced the doctor to go home 8 hours after having her baby girl, it all depends!

lockandkey | June 08 , 2009 6:40 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I had my first one taken c-section at 9:06 pm on July 18 and went home around 10:00 pm July 20.

logansangel | August 13 , 2009 10:56 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I delivered via c-section at 7 am on a Friday and went home around noon on Monday.

Susan.Michelle | December 13 , 2009 6:40 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

Another thing to consider is the baby. I ended up with a longer stay after an uncomplicated vaginal birth because my newborn wouldn't nurse for the first 24 hrs and the pediatrician wouldn't release us until he did. I blame the fact that it was an induction--even though I did it without painkiller--and he just wasn't ready to be born. (He wouldn't even take the bottle they insisted on giving him after threatening to put him on an IV). My next baby came out and nursed right away following a totally natural birth. Pain medications and epidurals are more likely to make the baby groggy after delivery, so avoiding these and unnecessary induction can translate into a more alert baby and getting to go home sooner. Seriously girls, don't be induced unless you've gotten a second opinion that it is medically necessary. Don't opt to be induced just because you're sick of being pregnant. I makes labor much more painful and is more likely to end in a c-section. Your body knows what it's doing. Sorry for the soapbox!

titania9 | January 14 , 2010 9:45 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

it also depends on what your insurance will pay for

heidimeisinger | January 20 , 2010 6:42 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I was induced because i wouldn't dilate, my labor last only 3 hours, and the only major pain i was in was because my epidural was done wrong. My baby came out just fine. I have never seen a baby so alert. She fed right away, although i had to give her a bottle because she couldn't/ wouldn't latch on to me. We were in the hospital for 3 days all together, that includes the night i went in to be induced.

jdlepew | May 15 , 2010 7:36 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

My midwife told me as long as baby and I are final and the delivery was "normal" she will release me as early as 2 hrs after birth. The reason why she will do it so quick is that she will be coming to my house to do a check up on the two of use the day after the birth

MrsCow | November 16 , 2010 8:11 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I am told it will be 24 hours or less if everything goes well since this will be my 2nd delivery...even though my kids will be 9 1/2 years apart. The body does not forget no matter how long between pregnancies. Epidurals do not make your baby groggy. In fact, the ONLY risk of an epidural is to the mother and that is if it is not done correctly.

JessHenchey | July 05 , 2011 2:43 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I had a vaginal birth that went so well that I can't wait to do it again! I stayed in the hospital 2 nights. I was a first time mom and trust me I needed that extra night!

krystinsmom | October 28 , 2011 7:59 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I had my son aug 12 @ 2:01p, was shopping at mall aug13 @9am

CaptnBzBaby | November 01 , 2011 11:26 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

when i had my first i was in for 4 days, but i had gestational dibetes and heavy bleeding also the epidural didn't wear off for 24hrs

firemama1980 | November 01 , 2011 11:34 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

@jesshenchey - I'm not sure where you're getting your information from, but anytime you receive pain medication during labor the baby will feel it. It's been medically proven that one of the side effects of an epidural is grogginess for the baby. Some kids may come out fine, but others may not. To make a blanket statement that it has no effect is inaccurate.

kelsha2000 | November 01 , 2011 6:03 PM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

An epidural does not reach the baby's system. It is delivered within the spinal column an dis a closed system medication delivery. Epidurals do not cause drowsiness in mother or baby, but they may allow an exhausted mother the break from contractions needed to rest. Intravenous medications such as the narcotic fentanyl will lead to drowsiness in mother and baby both, and thus must be delivered at least 1-2 hours prior to the anticipated time of birth to allow the baby to be adequately alert for nursing.

colladojen | January 20 , 2012 12:48 AM

Q&A: How long will I be in the hospital after delivery?

I know that my girlfriend gave birth to a beautiful baby boy at Phoenix assisted living. They treated well and she only stayed there three days. During these days the doctors and the nurses taught her everything that is it to know about a baby. I am also pregnant in the second trimester and I have decided to give birth there.

tonight11 | May 11 , 2012 4:30 PM

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