Postpartum Experience in Hospital

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect from my postpartum hospital stay. After your baby was born, how much help did you get from the nurses for things like diaper changes, swaddling, and getting baby properly latched on for breastfeeding, and did you have a vaginal birth or C-section? Did you have good stretches of uninterrupted time with your baby and partner, or were there always people in and out of your room? Did you feel well enough to be up and walking around, or did you mostly feel like resting in bed? I'm sure a lot of this depends on how your individual birth went and the quality of postpartum care at your hospital, but I want to get an idea of the range of what this might look like for me.

[Anonymous]

I've given birth twice in two different Virginia hospitals here.

The Labor and Delivery nurses helped with breastfeeding latch while you're in their wing. They seemed more knowledgeable. The postpartum nurses just said they'd call for lactation. The lactation consultant was really helpful. My babies were pretty good nursers though. I had more breastfeeding problems around day 3 than in the hospital.

Diaper changes and swaddling are on you and your husband. They had these sheets I was supposed to fill out regarding every diaper change (how much pee/poop and what time), but I couldn't seem to do it right. I got yelled at a lot about it and I also don't know why I couldn't put everything on their form right. I'm blaming exhaustion and the fact that I just didn't GAF. I started just lining up the diapers so they could count them instead.

Lots of people in and out for different reasons. I felt pretty good- vaginal births. The rooms are TINY in the postpartum wing so there's not room to really move around, but I had no trouble walking to my bathroom. My bed was one of those anti bedsore beds and it inflated on me nonstop, but other girl friends have said they didn't have those. Blood pressure cuff inflating nonstop was also another reason I couldn't rest.

Generally I found my postpartum experience to be pretty miserable, not helpful and I wanted to get home to where I had helpful people. I left right after 24 hours both times and wished I could have left after 6/8 like they do in birthing centers. At home, everything is quiet, great rocking chair, better food, and DH could take the baby to another room while I slept.

[Anonymous]

Second the notion that no nurse is going to change a diaper outside of maybe coaching you through the first one. Though some hospitals will take your baby to the nursery for a few hours overnight, and bring the baby back when he/she gets hungry. You are the parent and need to take care of your baby just like you will once you get home. I also gave birth in a teaching hospital so a nursing student was assigned to me both times in post partum. In one case, the instructor was teaching her and it was helpful to listen along. with baby #2, I just had her watch the baby so I could shower without wheeling the bassinet into the bathroom. I think the key here is while yes you are recuperating, you are still a parent first.

[Anonymous]

Where are you delivering?

I had a baby at GWU and post-partum was pretty crummy. There were constant in-and-outs. Constant. Every 15 minutes for the first 4 hours, then at least every half hour for another 4. I had a set of checks, baby had a set of checks, they seemed to loathe the idea of coordinating, and it was non stop. Somehow with all those checks I still had to beg/remind them about my painkillers (c-section). The LC didn't come until a day in and didn't really help in any real way - she positioned some pillows to get the baby to the right height and then gave us the URL address of a YouTube video of babies latching with no assistance and nursing perfectly (helpful!).

On the plus side they did take her to the nursery for 3 hours on night 2 and provided a hospital-grade pump; on the LC's second visit she showed me how to use that so she wasn't completely useless. The nurses were more helpful than the LC for breastfeeding advice. One particular nurse seemed to delight in the babies and walked DH through diapering and swaddling a couple of times (she wasn't a L&D nurse, they were overbooked and she came in from cardiology. I think it was a nice change for her to have a baby to snuggle and nobody super sick).

Don't expect comfort but try to ignore the bustle and just focus on the baby and your snuggle hormones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where are you delivering?

I had a baby at GWU and post-partum was pretty crummy. There were constant in-and-outs. Constant. Every 15 minutes for the first 4 hours, then at least every half hour for another 4. I had a set of checks, baby had a set of checks, they seemed to loathe the idea of coordinating, and it was non stop. Somehow with all those checks I still had to beg/remind them about my painkillers (c-section). The LC didn't come until a day in and didn't really help in any real way - she positioned some pillows to get the baby to the right height and then gave us the URL address of a YouTube video of babies latching with no assistance and nursing perfectly (helpful!).

On the plus side they did take her to the nursery for 3 hours on night 2 and provided a hospital-grade pump; on the LC's second visit she showed me how to use that so she wasn't completely useless. The nurses were more helpful than the LC for breastfeeding advice. One particular nurse seemed to delight in the babies and walked DH through diapering and swaddling a couple of times (she wasn't a L&D nurse, they were overbooked and she came in from cardiology. I think it was a nice change for her to have a baby to snuggle and nobody super sick).

Don't expect comfort but try to ignore the bustle and just focus on the baby and your snuggle hormones.

Was at GW in 2018 and this is accurate assume you’ll get no help and be your own advocate they’re doing a job snd with a lot of patients ppl in and out and your baby is your responsibility my Lc never came to my room.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second the notion that no nurse is going to change a diaper outside of maybe coaching you through the first one. Though some hospitals will take your baby to the nursery for a few hours overnight, and bring the baby back when he/she gets hungry. You are the parent and need to take care of your baby just like you will once you get home. I also gave birth in a teaching hospital so a nursing student was assigned to me both times in post partum. In one case, the instructor was teaching her and it was helpful to listen along. with baby #2, I just had her watch the baby so I could shower without wheeling the bassinet into the bathroom. I think the key here is while yes you are recuperating, you are still a parent first.

This couldn’t have been more opposite of my experience, though I’ve done it once and not sure that’s the norm. I delivered at Inova Fairfax and my postpartum nurses were angels. They did Everything and coached me through everything they did. I had a c-section so maybe they were more willing to help with and do diaper changes, swaddling, etc? I felt like I was in an apprenticeship course. No advanced reading could’ve helped me and my husband the way the nurses there helped and taught us. I was not expecting how helpful they were going to be and I felt totally and completely ready to “mom” the minute I left because of everything they showed us- from basics to little tips and tricks.

[Anonymous]

Yes assume baby is your responsibility. I actually found it really helpful to have DH in the room and not leave. I delivered after a 40 hour labor at 3am. At 7am, the pediatrician was at the foot of my bed talking to me and I just had no idea what he was saying. I was so out of it and loopy. I just fell right back asleep. People did that a lot and were waking me up nonstop to talk or ask if I wanted more colace. Maybe it wouldn't have been bad if I hadn't been up for multiple days with no sleep, but it drove me insane. I only wanted to wake up to nurse the baby.

[Anonymous]

They couldn't even manage to check my blood pressure because I was in the NICU at the exact hours babies were supposed to feed and that's when they would look for me. You'd think they would know and accommodate that. Had post partum blood pressure spike that was not caught as a result.

[Anonymous]

Two uncomplicated vaginal births at 2 different hospitals in NoVA.

First DD, I was up and moving around as soon as the epidural wore off, which was about an hour after delivery. Minimal tearing, so I wasn’t in any pain. Movement was no big deal to me. Nurses showed us how to swaddle the first time, but all diaper changes and swaddling were done by us after that point. They were hyper focused on the little chart I had to complete for diaper changes and nursing durations, though! L&D nurses helped with latch, post-partum nurses called for the LC, who was responsive and super helpful. Hospital staff were in and out of the room constantly, but I had gone nearly 24 hours in between PROM and actual delivery, so they were drawing my blood frequently to monitor for infection, if I recall correctly. Then there were the food service people, housekeeping, pediatrician, someone from hospital guest services wanting me to fill out a survey, hearing test for baby, someone to complete birth certificate paperwork, etc…it was so excessive and exhausting, frankly.

2nd DD was born last May. Pandemic hospital policy was quite different, and there weren’t nearly as many people in and out of the room, which made the whole experience far more peaceful and restive. Nurses were available and attentive when needed, though. LC was offered, but I knew what I was doing and baby latched well, so I didn’t need the help. Epidural wore off just before I started pushing, and I had no tearing at all, so I was up immediately after delivery. We checked out exactly 24 hours after delivery so we could get home to our older DD.

I agree with the first PP…rest and recovery is far easier at home!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you delivering?

I had a baby at GWU and post-partum was pretty crummy. There were constant in-and-outs. Constant. Every 15 minutes for the first 4 hours, then at least every half hour for another 4. I had a set of checks, baby had a set of checks, they seemed to loathe the idea of coordinating, and it was non stop. Somehow with all those checks I still had to beg/remind them about my painkillers (c-section). The LC didn't come until a day in and didn't really help in any real way - she positioned some pillows to get the baby to the right height and then gave us the URL address of a YouTube video of babies latching with no assistance and nursing perfectly (helpful!).

On the plus side they did take her to the nursery for 3 hours on night 2 and provided a hospital-grade pump; on the LC's second visit she showed me how to use that so she wasn't completely useless. The nurses were more helpful than the LC for breastfeeding advice. One particular nurse seemed to delight in the babies and walked DH through diapering and swaddling a couple of times (she wasn't a L&D nurse, they were overbooked and she came in from cardiology. I think it was a nice change for her to have a baby to snuggle and nobody super sick).

Don't expect comfort but try to ignore the bustle and just focus on the baby and your snuggle hormones.

Was at GW in 2018 and this is accurate assume you’ll get no help and be your own advocate they’re doing a job snd with a lot of patients ppl in and out and your baby is your responsibility my Lc never came to my room.

+2 with GW - the actual birthing experience was wonderful. Postpartum sucked for reasons stated above. Plus, rooms are small and COLD. Ped was promised early so we could leave asap and did not show up until hours after promised time. Food sucked and is over covered for mom - nothing for partner. We just wanted to GET OUT and go home for snuggles. I have heard Sibley recovery rooms are lush and much better. Next bb, we will do a home birth or birthing center to avoid crap hospital experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where are you delivering?

I had a baby at GWU and post-partum was pretty crummy. There were constant in-and-outs. Constant. Every 15 minutes for the first 4 hours, then at least every half hour for another 4. I had a set of checks, baby had a set of checks, they seemed to loathe the idea of coordinating, and it was non stop. Somehow with all those checks I still had to beg/remind them about my painkillers (c-section). The LC didn't come until a day in and didn't really help in any real way - she positioned some pillows to get the baby to the right height and then gave us the URL address of a YouTube video of babies latching with no assistance and nursing perfectly (helpful!).

On the plus side they did take her to the nursery for 3 hours on night 2 and provided a hospital-grade pump; on the LC's second visit she showed me how to use that so she wasn't completely useless. The nurses were more helpful than the LC for breastfeeding advice. One particular nurse seemed to delight in the babies and walked DH through diapering and swaddling a couple of times (she wasn't a L&D nurse, they were overbooked and she came in from cardiology. I think it was a nice change for her to have a baby to snuggle and nobody super sick).

Don't expect comfort but try to ignore the bustle and just focus on the baby and your snuggle hormones.

Was at GW in 2018 and this is accurate assume you’ll get no help and be your own advocate they’re doing a job snd with a lot of patients ppl in and out and your baby is your responsibility my Lc never came to my room.

+2 with GW - the actual birthing experience was wonderful. Postpartum sucked for reasons stated above. Plus, rooms are small and COLD. Ped was promised early so we could leave asap and did not show up until hours after promised time. Food sucked and is over covered for mom - nothing for partner. We just wanted to GET OUT and go home for snuggles. I have heard Sibley recovery rooms are lush and much better. Next bb, we will do a home birth or birthing center to avoid crap hospital experience.

I’m the poster that gave birth in 2018 I echo the labor and delivery being great those nurses are angels they gave me tips and ideas for labor held my hand gave me a massage even and one of them came in postpartum because she knew I was anxious. But postpartum is like Wild West lol I ordered like a tuna and a ham so my husband could eat some too lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes assume baby is your responsibility. I actually found it really helpful to have DH in the room and not leave. I delivered after a 40 hour labor at 3am. At 7am, the pediatrician was at the foot of my bed talking to me and I just had no idea what he was saying. I was so out of it and loopy. I just fell right back asleep. People did that a lot and were waking me up nonstop to talk or ask if I wanted more colace. Maybe it wouldn't have been bad if I hadn't been up for multiple days with no sleep, but it drove me insane. I only wanted to wake up to nurse the baby.

I’m the PP from 10:25, and oh, yes…the pushing of colace with my first delivery was crazy. That and Percocet. I didn’t need either, but all the nurses practically insisted on it. I found that so odd, especially with the Percocet, that they would get so pushy about it to the point of waking me up to ask me if I had decided I needed the drugs.
Completely different with my 2nd delivery. They asked once, made a note in my chart, then just told me to let them know if I changed my mind.

[Anonymous]

Another thought, OP…make a plan for food for both yourself and your partner just in case delivery happens late at night when the hospital cafeteria/food service is closed. I learned that lesson the hard way with my first delivery!

[Anonymous]

Sibley - amazing rooms, good food etc. first nurse didn't notice kid was jaundiced, second immediately did blood test and the lamp. Nursery is great for a few hours of sleep. They will change diapers and swaddle and teach you. LCs a few years back were not great. Missed basic info.

Hospital in VA: NICU for baby so different experience postpartum. Much better LCs (at least in the NICU).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect from my postpartum hospital stay. After your baby was born, how much help did you get from the nurses for things like diaper changes, swaddling, and getting baby properly latched on for breastfeeding, and did you have a vaginal birth or C-section? Did you have good stretches of uninterrupted time with your baby and partner, or were there always people in and out of your room? Did you feel well enough to be up and walking around, or did you mostly feel like resting in bed? I'm sure a lot of this depends on how your individual birth went and the quality of postpartum care at your hospital, but I want to get an idea of the range of what this might look like for me.

Postpartum nurse here. I'm surprised at some of these responses. We will definitely show you (and support person) how to change the baby's diaper. If we are assessing the baby or in the room and it needs to be done, of course we will do it automatically. If you aren't a brand new patient though and you call for a diaper change and we are literally in the bathroom with another mom or an emergency with another mom, we can't just drop what we are doing and come right away. You can always call the tech for help or reeducation if we can't come right away. Before you are discharged though, you have to get some hands-on practice so TRY to change some before you leave.

Where I work, postpartum RN's can definitely help you with breastfeeding. The LC's are the pros though and you will obviously get a a consult (or more). We never just say "let me call an LC" unless we truly can't fix the problem.

Day shifts are busier, expect that. You will be seen by the pediatrician, your MD, hearing screening, additional blood work (if needed), baby 24 hour bloodwork and tests (that time just depends on when baby is born, could be middle of the night), birth certificate office, and people coming to drop off and pick up your tray. Your nurses need to assess you and baby, medicate you (which could be every almost every 2 hours depending on how YOU want your pain management regimen and what is ordered). If you are only getting Ibuprofen, then that's every 6 hours. Sometimes baby is on blood sugar checks (if you have GDM or are diabetic) and so their blood sugar has to be checked around every 3 hours for a certain period of time. Plenty of babies have to go to NICU for low blood sugar, so these checks are for baby's safety. So that can contribute to the "in and out" of the room.

If you are on extra BP checks, we are checking it every 4 hours. This is for YOUR safety. I try to time this for when meds are due so that there aren't extra interruptions.

Night time we really try to cluster our care but honestly that is when baby most often wants to eat. So when day time is busy with the necessary visits, night time is spent working on breastfeeding. You try to nap in between. COMMUNICATE with your nurse when you want to sleep so that no one checks on you. Keep in mind that moms have fallen asleep with babies and they have fallen on the floor. It's devastating. If it's been awhile without checking on you, we will peak in to make sure you both are safe. It is for YOUR safety, not to bother you. Newborn falls happen (even from dad) so please understand we are just looking out for your safety.

If you have any other questions, let me know. There are always a few "bad apples" or nurses who are having a very difficult, busy day and might not be at their 100%. But most postpartum nurses LOVE their job and love helping you. I hope you have a good experience and ignore the bad apples, if there are any.