Difference in having baby in UK vs. US

Seriously, why do you think they are bad? THe had them in the room that I gave birth in here in England as well. After giving birth while I was having my stitches done etc, Philip stayed in the little cot they had in the room. And had he been super cold, why not use a heat lamp? Seems pretty normal to me.

like baby chicks!   

  

Aw, this is making me all broody for another one, even though I know I'll NEVER get one as good-natured as our daughter.  I had no experience of babies at all and had no idea she was 'good' or why all the midwives adored her until my mom finally got here and we started taking her out and everyone commented on how she was a 'contented wee soul'.  Now I know better!  Ah, ignorance!

Just weighing in here as a US and UK homebirther.     I know zero, zip, nada about the hospital so can't help there for either country.

Loved both my US and UK homebirths.  Both times I hired a tub and birthed babe in the water.  Didn't have an OB in the States, only Licenced Midwife.  Just great births all around and I felt great during and after and babies were all healthy, strong, etc.

My GP here in England says 1. he never ever recommends homebirth to any woman and 2. you absolutely must get out of hospital before six hours post partum due to the terrible rate of hospital acquired infections in this country.  Of course, if one has a c-sec, then that isn't possible but for spontaneous vaginal, that's his recommendation.

All the hospitals where i lived in the US (San Francisco area) tested positive for most antibiotic resistent pathogens. 

Our private insurance company paid for my homebirth costs in the States.

My GP here in England says 1. he never ever recommends homebirth to any woman and 2. you absolutely must get out of hospital before six hours post partum due to the terrible rate of hospital acquired infections in this country. Of course, if one has a c-sec, then that isn't possible but for spontaneous vaginal, that's his recommendation.

After 6 hours you are discharged? My goodness. Is this normal for all mom who have a regular birth?

I have no idea, sadly.  That is what he advises and since I stayed out of hospital, never had the chance to find out.

We went with the germs at home.

After 6 hours you are discharged? My goodness. Is this normal for all mom who have a regular birth?

Yes I believe so. At my hospital depending what time of day the baby was born you were kept in for a minimum of 6 hours, maximum of 24 following a SVD.

I was told I could go home 6 hours after giving birth, but since I Had to wait a few more hours for the RH shot I ended up going home later. Still, I went home 12 hours after giving birth. The only reason I wanted to was to get some SLEEEEEP, because it was *not* going to happen in that ward.

I wish that I could have gone home after 6 hrs so that I could sleep and have a cot for the baby.  The wards are horrible when you give birth in the wee hours of the morning and are so tired.

My two were born in different hospitals and each was completely different.  In London, I had no cot in the delivery room to put my daughter down after birth and had to hold her for the 3 hrs it took to move us to our room.I had a private room which was nice and not paid for except I couldn't use the bathroom because the other person that shared it with me had it locked.  Her baby had died soon after birth so the nurses didn't ask her to unlock it.  That was bad since they didn't move her off the maternity ward the whole time I was there and I felt guilty every time my daughter cried because it set her off to wails of grief.

The hospital was cleaner and had friendlier staff but had the ward and I had no sleep till I went home.  With him I had the GP visiting the day after I came home but the midwives weren't as thorough.  They just came and asked a couple of questions and left.  They didn't even look at my son.

I had a private room which was nice and not paid for except I couldn't use the bathroom because the other person that shared it with me had it locked. Her baby had died soon after birth so the nurses didn't ask her to unlock it. That was bad since they didn't move her off the maternity ward the whole time I was there and I felt guilty every time my daughter cried because it set her off to wails of grief.

A little off topic - but I always wondered where would be the best place for a woman who has lost - or even given up - her baby is in the hospital schematics.  Where I lived in Florida, those giving up babies for adoption were taking off the maternity floor right after giving birth and placed in - of all places - the ward with the more "mentally unstable" patients. 

I guess the reminders that accompany the maternity ward would be horrible, but by the same token, both types of women would need better care than to be considered "mental unstable..."

My mom lost a baby.  She said it didn't matter where she was, the grief was still unbearable.

I had stayed 48 hours after both children were born. With the last one I didn't sleep one bit. I felt so guilty having the nurses take him to the nursery. I knew what I was in for and wanted a bit of sleep. They had no problem with doing it. But in the back of my mind all I could think was bad mom bad mom. Since he has not slept in the last 5.5 months, I don't think that two nights in the hospital would have helped anyway. But once you get a thought in your mind it doesn't go away.

I had stayed 48 hours after both children were born. With the last one I didn't sleep one bit. I felt so guilty having the nurses take him to the nursery. I knew what I was in for and wanted a bit of sleep. They had no problem with doing it. But in the back of my mind all I could think was bad mom bad mom. Since he has not slept in the last 5.5 months, I don't think that two nights in the hospital would have helped anyway. But once you get a thought in your mind it doesn't go away.

You were lucky.  Edinburgh Royal Infirmary has no well-baby nursery.  You have no choice but to room in with your child.  So there I was with a major episeotomy after forceps birth, an epidural which left me with no feeling in my legs for 6 hours, 32 hours with no sleep and 24 of those in active labour, extremely dehydrated as I was not given fluids intravenously, and a severe case of post natal depression.  Looking back, I don't think this was such a wise thing medically to have permitted.  I would have sold my soul for some sleep w/o a modicum of regret.

Which is exactly why I chose to 'get out of Dodge' as soon as possible. I had more of a chance of getting rest at home than ever getting any rest or recovery time in the hospital.

I've been fortunate not to have PND, but I've wondered if this 'ward' scheme and no well-baby nurseries contribute in some small way to PND.  Take a new mother, a long labour with little to no sleep or rest, then send her home with a newborn.