In a previous article, we reviewed the recovery process for a vaginal birth and a cesarean. This article explores what the rest of your hospital stay may look like after giving birth

Feeding For Mum

Many, if not all, hospitals provide meals for the mum that are made on-site. Generally, they cover three meals and sometimes snacks. The range, quality and flavours may depend on whether you are in a public or private hospital. It is usually a budget-conscious choice to eat these meals, as they are free of charge. The best thing is that you won’t need to worry about preparing them.

Hospital Support

Birthing in a hospital has the primary benefit of on-hand care for you and your baby. This is generally 24-hour support which is very reassuring. Hospitals are usually large, complex institutions that have to be reactive to urgent medical situations, which means, especially in a public system, it may feel a little disjointed. But you are in the best place when you have around the clock medical care at your disposal.

Hospital doctors and nurses are professionally qualified for their roles. Various staff can assist in all aspects of your hospital stay, including:

• Vital checks
• General well-being for mum and baby
• Changing nappies
• Restocking toiletry
• Babysitting in the nursery
  

Take advantage of this help. Once you are home, you are left to your own devices, so it is best to enlist in the care of the nurses while they are available.

Some situations where you may find help especially useful are:

1. Baby’s first bath — this can be incredibly overwhelming due to either lack of knowledge, comfort, or just overall exhaustion from labour. Join your nurses as they wash your baby for the first time. Take special note of how they hold the baby’s head and temperature check the water.
2. Nighttime nappy changes — removing a nappy and cleaning a baby can come second nature to you in the weeks to come. However, in the first few days, it is especially hard to manoeuvre your tiny child. This is especially true in the middle of the night when you are used to being fast asleep. Call a nurse in and catch some extra shut-eye.
3. Guest control — while this may seem like a simple problem to have or no problem at all, you may feel differently once your baby has arrived. Some mums feel especially exhausted or vulnerable while at the hospital and may want to limit the number of guests they see each day. Most hospitals are excellent at time management and making sure mum is getting the alone time she needs.

Delivering your baby in the hospital is a major life event. Being ready will help you manage the many new emotions and challenges, especially the most important, which is caring for you and your newborn child. Take all the support you can; as for most mums you will be home before you know it, and a whole new world of parenting awaits.
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Written by Chelsea D.

Chelsea is a mum of one and pregnant with another. She writes about pregnancy, parenting, and body positivity.

All articles are provided as general information and are not intended, nor may it be construed, as medical advice or instruction. Information and opinions expressed are believed to be correct and accurate to the best knowledge and judgement of the authors. Readers should consult their appropriately qualified health care professional prior to taking any action or inaction.