Saying goodbye to your caregiver
The transition to coming home from the hospital can bring with it mixed emotions. The reality of life with your new baby may only sink in on the drive home, or as you step through the front door. For some women, coming home may feel like the start of 'real life' in the 'real world', and a chance for the 'family' to be alone with each other, finding their own ways of doing things. They may even be relieved to 'escape' the hospital environment and be with the ones they love, in a familiar environment. Coming home may also be a choice, to be with other children or your partner, having home visits from a midwife on the early discharge program. Or perhaps you have a lovely network of family and friends to support you at this time.
For other women, being home can mean the end of caregivers being just down the hall, and on call 24 hours a day. They may feel apprehensive (or anxious) when thinking about staff being no longer there, particularly if their baby has been unwell and needed to spend time in the
intensive care nursery or was
premature. (Bear in mind that staff would not release your baby unless they felt they were ready to be home.) Some women may also see the hospital as respite from domestic duties. They may feel reluctant to come home to cooking, cleaning, looking after siblings etc. especially, if they do not have much support or help.
If your partner is able to be around during the first week or two (or longer) this can help you to continue resting and recovering. (This is presuming they are not expecting you to come home and have dinner on the table for them!) Your partner being at home with you in the early weeks can also include them in learning about, and sharing in, the care of your newborn baby, often making the process less daunting. If your partner needs to return to work soon after the birth (or you don't have a partner), try to organise help and support from family and friends, where possible.