If you have had your baby in a delivery suite or birth centre in the hospital and intend to stay in the hospital postnatal ward for a while after the baby is born, the normal stay will be around 3 to 5 days for a vaginal birth (and up to 6 to 7 days after a
Caesarean). This stay may extend if either the mother or baby are unwell or develop complications in these early days.
Hospital - baby is well
Hospital - baby is well but 'at risk'
Hospital - baby is unwell
Hospital - baby is well. If your baby is well they will stay with the mother in the delivery suite or birth centre and then go with her to the postnatal ward, usually after he or she has had all the necessary checks and procedures completed (and hopefully the baby has had a feed). Even if the mother is unwell, the baby will usually be kept close by while procedures are being carried out, being nursed or cared for by the partner, support person or staff.
Once the mother is transferred to the postnatal ward the partner may stay for a while, but could be asked to leave soon after. Some hospitals will supply foldout beds for partners to stay overnight if the woman is not sharing her room with another new mother.
Hospital - baby is well but 'at risk'. If the baby appears well, but your caregiver is concerned about the possibility of them becoming unwell in the following 24 hours or so, the baby will either: