Postpartum Experience in Hospital
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Anonymous
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I’ve had three babies and was happy with my postpartum care at the hospitals each time. I had vaginal deliveries with no pain medication or epidural and had minor tearing two times. I was able to get up and walk a bit/use the bathroom almost right after giving birth. I also had very little discomfort and no pain after birth.
Nurses helped with the first diaper change and would often change the baby when they came in for check ups but my husband and I also did diaper changes. The nurses and my husband usually did most of the swaddling because I find it annoying and can never seem to get it tight enough; my kids kick out of swaddles like crazy. At home we use the velcro closure swaddles. Nurses came in often (maybe every 2hrs) but they’ve always tried to time it so they come in when I am already awake breastfeeding. If you are nursing, they will likely want to nursing every 2-3hrs. I’m usually pretty amped from the birth (probably adrenaline and excitement from meeting the baby) so I didn’t feel exhausted at the hospital. Overall, the care team was really sensitive to my needs each time and were careful to keep lights off and let me rest when they came in for checks. |
Anonymous
Wanted to add- I felt like I got lots of uninterrupted time to snuggle with my husband and baby at the hospital. The baby will likely sleep a ton so you get lots of time for skin to skin. Also, I’m always starving after birth so we’ve always gotten a delicious delivery or takeout meal to enjoy and we cuddle and watch a good movie. I highly recommend. |
Anonymous
| As someone who has only delivered at home and in free-standing birth centers, I have to say these stories sound like a nightmare. I'm so glad I avoided birthing in a hospital! |
Anonymous
My mom did this and it went well for her twice. I had very severe hemorrhaging with my fourth child (unexpected as I had had 3 prior uncomplicated births) and was very happy to be at a hospital where this could be addressed quickly and efficiently. For me, being at a hospital gives me a lot more peace of mind. I will also say, though, that I had overwhelmingly positive experiences at the hospitals I gave birth at. |
Anonymous
As the first GWU PP, I should note that my experience involved a 3 day labor ending in an emergency C-section and post-partum preeclampsia. So while I got no sleep and had to stop my husband from almost throttling a nurse for coming in and flipping the light on 90 seconds after we finally got DD to sleep after trying to settle her for over an hour on night two, I'm still very glad I gave birth at a hospital. |
Anonymous
Exactly. If you have serious complications being at a hospital can be exhausting and stressful but it is so worth getting the care you need at the time. If you don’t have complications, standard care after birth is generally not invasive and allows for plenty of time to rest and relax. |
Anonymous
I'm going to vote no. Sorry I had two uncomplicated births (but long without sleep for several nights). People were in and out every hour at least. And at night, maybe every 2 hours. NO time to rest. |
Anonymous
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Delivered both at WHC, pre covid. First time was c section. Postpartum stay was actually amazing, I felt so supported by all the nurses. Each had their own helpful advice for baby care, breastfeeding, etc. DH and I greatly appreciated the help and support during the stay. After the c section I felt pretty limited physically and needed all the help I could get. Did not want to leave hospital, actually cried when the time came to do so.
Second time I had an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Postpartum stay was nothing amazing. I felt the nursing quality was not the same as my first time, but perhaps it was because I had had an easy delivery and was a second time mom, so they were focusing energy elsewhere. Got a lot less support in baby care, but tons of interruptions, very little sleep. I was eager to get home the second time. Overall however, had a great experience at WHC with the midwives both times (and the doctor that did my unplanned c section). |
Anonymous
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Honestly it was the worst. They kept monitoring my blood pressure but they were always taking it when my son was crying and then freaking out if it was high which just stressed me out. I have a home monitor and my BP was absolutely fine when I got home. They basically gave me permanent white coat syndrome. They would wake me up to take it too.
The lactation consultants would just pop my son on and leave even though the issue was that he was sleepy and would stop nursing in a couple minutes. I cried once in frustration when my son wasn't eating and they made me sit through this long talk on post partum depression. I hadn't slept in a week due to a long labor followed by an unscheduled c section and they treated me like it was weird to cry. I honestly was in the verge of checking myself out against medical advice. Once I got home everything was much, much better. I am never having another baby at an Inova hospital. Never. |
Anonymous
Sorry to hear that. I’ve only given birth in 2 hospitals and only know the experiences of myself and friends, all of which were generally positive. There really is no universal truth here, just different experiences. I do highly suggest to people that they tour different hospitals and ask questions so they don’t end up having such a negative experience. |
Anonymous
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How much help did you get from the nurses for things like:
diaper changes - I think the doula or midwife showed DH but then, they (or the nurses, I dunno who) left a stack of newborn diapers in the room and we changed them. Mostly DH. swaddling - the pediatrician showed us how getting baby properly latched on for breastfeeding - midwife helped, and then nurses checked in did you have a vaginal birth or C-section? vaginal Did you have good stretches of uninterrupted time with your baby and partner, or were there always people in and out of your room? yes, to a couple hours in a row of uninterrupted time, but between hospital staff and relatives/friends visiting, we had a bunch of people around Did you feel well enough to be up and walking around, or did you mostly feel like resting in bed? well, there's the bleeding. So that's there. Other than that, I would get bursts of energy, and then be exhausted, then another burst of energy, then exhausted. But I didn't really leave my hospital room until it was time to leave the hospital the next day. |
Anonymous
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Nurses are not there to be your nanny. Take care of your
Own kid. |
Anonymous
Eff off. The dereliction of duty by modern L&D departments is truly disgusting. I can’t believe we tolerate it. |
Anonymous
L&D is separate from postpartum. I think postpartum care is the issue |
Anonymous
Nurses were extremely kind and helpful during labor and after delivery in my case. When they came in to check on me they would regularly offer to change and swaddle my newborn. They are also checking for wet diapers to make sure the baby is eating well. I wasn’t buzzing them constantly to come take care of my baby but I never experienced any rudeness the few times I needed, and asked for, help. OP, you will have plenty of time to take care of your baby by yourself. If you need help or have questions please do ask a nurse. |