All you need to know about the maternity hospital

Mom in the maternity hospital: everything you need to know

When should I start packing?

A normal full-term pregnancy is considered to be from 37 weeks. This means that labor can start at any time, and then the count goes to hours, and sometimes even less – you need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible. Of course, there will no longer be time to pack and think about whether you forgot something important. The only way out is to be ready before that important moment. Let the collected things peacefully wait for their time, and the woman feels collected and fully ready – it will greatly add to the peace of mind. Then the mother will feel much more confident in the maternity hospital.

If the birth turns out to be premature, things are the last thing to worry about in such cases. In such cases, loved ones will bring everything you need, and mom should take care of her health and nerves.

In short, gather calmly, leisurely and without unnecessary worry, but still in advance. And we will help in this: in our courses we discuss in detail the lists of things a mother and her baby need after childbirth.

How long should a mother expect to stay at the maternity hospital?

How long does a new mother stay in the maternity hospital after giving birth? The number of things she and her baby need depends on this. The discharge period for normal, uncomplicated births in our country is 3-5 days, in other countries there are other requirements for this. The term may be longer if there are health problems of the mother or child: in this case it is better to trust the doctors.

Is it possible to be discharged immediately after delivery, if everything went “without a hitch and a hitch”, and the woman has such a desire? Theoretically, yes: nobody has the right to hold by force, they will only ask for a receipt. But there is one “but”: the attending physician should not be categorically against it. It is his prerogative to discharge the patient. Lawyers say that for unauthorized care without a doctor’s permission, you can even be held liable for causing harm to the child’s health.

In addition, there are a number of procedures in the first hours and days after delivery, which should not be neglected.

The first days after the birth in the maternity hospital

Mothers who have already been within these walls know what to expect. First-time mothers, on the other hand, are frightened by the unknown. Don’t worry, we will try to give you some clarity and prepare you for this important experience. Of course, some differences are possible in different maternity hospitals, but in general we can answer the question of what mothers do after childbirth unambiguously enough. We do not consider the third phase of labor – separation of the placenta, cutting the umbilical cord, if possible – the first attachment of the baby to the breast. These processes take place under the supervision of the staff. And what happens next?

1. The first hours after delivery. The mother leaves the delivery room. Is it over? No, everything is just beginning. But right now your body needs to rest. First feelings after childbirth depend on many factors: whether there was anesthesia, episiotomy, cesarean section or everything went naturally. In any case, the woman has done heavy energy-consuming work, and she needs sleep to recover. In some cases, doctors place a catheter to drain urine for the first few hours.
2. The first lifting out of bed. Should only take place with the help of staff! The doctor will assess the woman’s capabilities and give the “okay”: modern rules recommend doing it 4-5 hours after delivery – an early rise stimulates a better contraction of the uterus. The woman in labor will be helped to get up, get to the shower and tidy up, and then go back to bed.
3. Hormonal “swings.” The body continues to rearrange itself in the shortest possible time – you don’t have to carry the baby now, you have to provide food for the baby. This manifests itself in abrupt mood swings, rapid transitions from euphoria to tears. Especially difficult in this respect is the second day after childbirth. Remember – it passes!
4. The pain is not over. This, of course, is not the labor pains, but still have to endure. We are not talking about possible stitches in the perineum or a C-section. Every time you breastfeed, your uterus contracted intensely – the first births are not as sensitive, but the next ones even use painkillers. It is better to be prepared for this and not be frightened: everything takes its course.
5. Establishing breastfeeding. If your maternity hospital has a specialist in breastfeeding, ask him to help you correctly attach the baby to the breast, show him how to relieve pressure, if necessary, tell him how to relieve nipple pain. The only requirement is to attach the baby as often as possible. With the subtleties of breastfeeding can be found in other materials on our site.
6. The first trip to the bathroom. This is really a real test: it is scary to strain the muscles, it seems that inside – just an open wound, in some ways it is. In addition, the urge to urinate is often not felt, so you need to do it on time, “just in case”. The first defecation is better done with an enema, then for a couple of days glycerin suppositories will help. Very facilitates a comfortable pose with a bench placed under your feet.

What to do with the baby?

Staying together has already become customary and the most expedient way to start the interaction between mother and baby. Fortunately, healthy newborns sleep most of the time – it’s their way of adapting to our world. Therefore, mom’s actions in the maternity ward will be both simple and responsible:

• Feeding on the first demand;
• Ensure hygiene (diapers have made this job a lot easier);
• Help doctors during examinations and necessary manipulations – weighing, handling the umbilical wound, taking tests, the first vaccinations.

If you have difficulties, questions or worries about your baby’s health, you should feel free to contact the staff at any time of the day or night.

It is likely that in the first few days after birth a woman will often look at her sleeping baby, listening to his breathing, experiencing panic attacks and thoughts like “I’m doing everything wrong”. This is normal, largely due to hormonal surges, as well as inexperience and responsibility. You’re a great mom if you’re interested in these issues, and you won’t be left alone with them: our specialists are always ready to help.