After your baby is born – how long will you stay?

How long will you stay?

How long you will stay on the postnatal ward will depend on what type of birth you have had, whether you have any complications and if you or your baby needs extra observations. The midwife looking after you on the postnatal ward will talk to you about how long they think your stay will be.

As a guide, the typical lengths of stay are:

• Vaginal birth with no epidural – 6 hours
• Vaginal or instrumental (Forceps/Ventouse) birth with epidural – 12 – 24 hours
• Elective Caesarean Section – 24 hours (Next day)
• Emergency Caesarean Section – 24 – 48 hours

If you have a Urinary Catheter – this will need to stay in place for a minimum of 12 hours following delivery and we will measure the amount of urine the first two times you go to the toilet and scan your bladder to ensure you are emptying properly. This scan will be performed at your bedside on the postnatal ward and will be explained to you by your midwife.

Sometimes your baby will require some extra support or observations, these can include:

• Observations for risk of infection (i.e. Group B strep or Meconium) – 12 hours of observations
• Blood Sugar monitoring if you have diabetes, gestational diabetes or take specific medications – this will usually be after their 2nd and 4th feed
• Feeding support

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Care on the postnatal ward

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