Do you HAVE to stay the night at the hospital?

Question

I live in New York State, and I absolutely hate hospitals, I also have a terribly hard time sleeping anywhere other than my own bed, and sleep is essential for me because I have epilepsy... Typically no sleep=seizure. Soo trying to avoid that,
I'm
More stressed about my hospital stay than I am about labor and delivery! I'm hoping to have a completely Unmedicated birth (God willing) and if that happens I'm just curious do I HAVE to spend the night there? Or can I leave after a few hours? I have lots of help from family in my home with the baby fr the first few
Months at least with night time feedings... I just really don't want to spend the night there because I know that no matter how exhausted I am, I'll be too anxious and will not be able to sleep there:(

Answer

Depends on hospital policy. The hospital I work at they keep you at least 24 hours after baby is born. However with your epilepsy they may want to keep you a day or 2 longer.

Talk with your OB and the staff at the hospital when you go in. I have had friends who the doctor prescribed a sleeping medication for and baby stayed in the nursery so that they could get a full nights sleep before taking baby home.

The hospital isn't the most comfortable experience but bring your pillows and a blanket from home and try to make the best of it. Especially with a history of seizures you are much safer at the hospital. Your risk of having a seizure dramatically increases during labour and the 24 hours after. Good luck to you and your baby and I hope you have a great experience!

Answer

Most of the time they have to keep baby 24 hours after it is born.

Answer

You will probably want to talk to your doctor and hospital about this. While you might be able to legally sign yourself out, there are reasons why they keep you and baby. I have read stories of cps getting involved after moms took baby out of hospital too soon.

Answer

You leave AMA (against medical advice) if you want.. However, if you do that, most insurances aren't obligated to cover your expenses. Also, the baby stays. If you try to take the baby AMA, the hospital staff is supposed to contact CPS.

At lease that how it is in the hospitals I've worked at in Georgia.

Answer

In NY state,they put an electronic device on the baby's ankle until the time of discharge. If the baby is taken towards the doors while wearing it, it will cause the doors to lock and alarms to sound. You may be able to leave AMA (against medical advice- but it is highly recommended that you stay for yours and your baby's safety) but your baby sure can't leave. The doctors are also running tests and giving providing the essential vitamin k injections (among other things) while you are there. Please talk with your doctor about what you can do to make yourself more comfortable while you are there. You're gunna be exhausted. You'll want the sleep and extra hands. Good luck!

Answer

Generally it's two days for your first and just after 24 hours for your second (the do 24hr labs and hearing tests). It's possible to sign out AMA (against medical advice) if you truly want to go home but it means you assume all responsibility should something go wrong. I suggest taking to your OB/Midwife about your situation.

Answer

I am also from New York State a friend of my mine told me the hospital keeps you for 2 days to make sure you and baby is ok

Answer

Why don't you consider a home birth if you plan to go unmedicated?

Answer

I'm pretty sure you can force discharge but they can keep the baby. Mine all had to stay 24 hrs + except once when I was accidentally discharged on a busy day. My son was 8 hrs old.

Answer

It's very difficult because, I don't think I could leave my baby behind but, it will be hard for me to stay, I had a very traumatic experience with a seizure that caused me to have PTSD- essentially now my biggest fear is having another seizure.... And anything related hense why I'm terrified about sleeping anywhere but home, I struggled a lot with agoraphobia when I was first diagnosed (fear of leaving my house in general) that took a lot to work through, I guess I will pray for the best and try to trust that the hospital will help me with some of these unique challenges

Do you HAVE to stay the night at the hospital?

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