Everything You Need to Know About the Maternity Hospital

Mom in the Maternity Hospital: Everything You Need to Know

When to start getting ready?

A full-term pregnancy is considered to start from week 37. This means labor can begin at any time, and then every hour counts, sometimes even less – you’ll need to get to the maternity hospital as quickly as possible. There won’t be time to pack or worry about forgetting something important. The only way is to be prepared before this crucial moment. Let the packed items patiently wait for their time, while the woman feels collected and fully ready – this will significantly add to her peace of mind. That’s when a mom in the maternity hospital will feel much more confident.

If labor turns out to be premature, items are the last thing to worry about in such cases. Loved ones will bring everything necessary, and the mom should focus on taking care of her health and nerves.

In short, pack calmly, unhurriedly, and without unnecessary worries, but in advance. And we will help with this: in our courses, we thoroughly discuss lists of what is needed for both mom and baby after birth.

How long can a mom expect to stay in the hospital?

How long does a new mom stay in the hospital after giving birth? This affects the number of necessary items for her and the baby. The discharge period for normal, uncomplicated births in our country is 3-5 days, whereas other countries may have different requirements. The period may be longer if health issues arise for either mom or baby: in such cases, it’s best to trust the doctors.

Is it possible to discharge immediately after childbirth if everything went “smoothly” and the woman wishes to leave? Theoretically, yes: no one has the right to detain you by force, they will only require a written statement. But there’s one “but”: the attending doctor should not be strongly opposed. Discharge is his prerogative. Lawyers say that leaving without the doctor’s permission can even lead to being held accountable for harming the child’s health.

Moreover, there are a number of procedures in the first hours and days after childbirth that are recommended not to be neglected.

The first days after childbirth in the maternity hospital

Mothers who have already been through this know what to expect. First-time mothers, however, are often frightened by the unknown. Don’t worry, we will try to clarify and prepare you for this important challenge. Of course, there may be some differences in various maternity homes, but we can generally answer the question of what mothers do after childbirth quite definitively. We are not considering the third stage of labor – the separation of the placenta, cutting the umbilical cord, and, if possible, the first breastfeeding. These processes occur under the supervision of the staff. So what’s next?

1. The first hours after childbirth. The mother has left the confines of the delivery room and found herself in a ward. Is everything behind her? No, everything is just beginning. But right now, the body needs rest. The first sensations after childbirth depend on many factors: whether there was anesthesia, episiotomy, whether a cesarean was performed, or everything went naturally. In any case, the woman has completed a strenuous, energy-consuming task, and she needs sleep to restore her strength. In some cases, doctors insert a catheter for urine drainage during the first few hours.
2. The first time getting out of bed. This should only be done with staff assistance! The doctor will assess the woman’s capabilities and give the ‘go-ahead’: modern guidelines recommend doing this 4-5 hours after delivery—early mobilization promotes better uterine contraction. The mother will be helped to stand up, get to the shower, freshen up, and then return to bed.
3. Hormonal “swings.” The body continues to adapt in a very short time – now it no longer needs to carry a baby, but to provide it with food. This manifests in sudden mood swings, quick shifts from euphoria to tears. The second day after childbirth is especially challenging in this regard. Remember – this will pass!
4. Pain is not over yet. Of course, this is not the labor pains, but you will still have to endure some discomfort. We are not talking about possible stitches in the perineum or from a Caesarean section. With each breastfeeding, the uterus contracts intensely – during the first childbirth, this is not so noticeable, but for subsequent births, pain relievers are often used. It is better to be prepared for this and not be scared: everything is going according to its course.
5. Establishing breastfeeding. If there is a breastfeeding specialist at the hospital, consult them – they will help you properly latch the baby onto the breast, show you how to pump if necessary, and suggest ways to ease nipple pain. The one requirement is to latch your baby as often as possible. You can learn more about the nuances of breastfeeding from other materials on our site.
6. The first trip to the bathroom. This is truly a real challenge: it’s scary to strain the disturbed muscles, it feels like there is a raw wound inside, and in some ways, this is true. Additionally, the urge to urinate is often not felt, so it needs to be done on a schedule, “just in case.” It’s best to have the first bowel movement with the help of an enema, and glycerin suppositories can help for a couple of days afterward. A comfortable position with a footstool under your feet greatly eases the situation.

What to do with the baby?

Rooming-in has become a habitual and most appropriate way to begin interacting with your baby. Fortunately, healthy newborns sleep most of the time – this is their way of adapting to our world. Therefore, a mother’s actions in the maternity ward will be both simple and responsible:

• feed on demand;
• ensure hygiene (diapers greatly facilitate this work);
• assist doctors during examinations and necessary procedures – weighing, treating the umbilical cord, taking tests, administering the first vaccinations.

If any difficulties, questions, or concerns about your baby’s health arise, you should not hesitate to contact the staff at any time of day or night.

In the early days after birth, it’s very likely that a woman will frequently watch her sleeping baby, listen to their breathing, and experience bouts of panic and thoughts like “I’m doing everything wrong.” This is normal and largely due to hormonal fluctuations, as well as inexperience and the weight of responsibility. You are a great mom for being interested in these issues, and you don’t have to face them alone: our specialists are always ready to help.