Discharge from the hospital in 2022

One of the most memorable days in the life of a family is an extract from the hospital. In order for this event to go as smoothly as possible and everyone was happy, you need to prepare. KP will tell you how to organize everything correctly

An unforgettable meeting with the baby is over, it’s time to get ready from the hospital home. The day of discharge for parents is joyful, but at the same time exciting. Many questions arise: what to wear to mom, what should she have with her, what to bring to relatives? It is also important to prepare an apartment for a new family member in time.

In order, we will analyze all issues related to discharge from the maternity hospital, with pediatrician Anaita Zaripova.

When mother and child are discharged from the hospital

A newly-made mother with a baby from the maternity hospital is discharged healthy – the length of stay in a medical facility depends on this. Usually, if all the tests and results of the study are normal, a woman with a child is discharged on the third or fifth day after childbirth.

The exact timing depends on whether the birth was natural or not, and, of course, on the well-being and health of the mother and baby. If complications occur during childbirth or after, the time spent under medical supervision may increase.

The decision to discharge is made by doctors when it is reliably known that there is no threat to the life and health of the mother and baby.

After natural childbirth

As a rule, a woman with a newborn is discharged on the third day after natural childbirth. The decision is made by doctors based on the results of examinations and tests. Specialists must make sure that both mother and child are in order, there are no complications.

A woman usually finds out that she can go home a day or even on the day of discharge.

After cesarean section

If the child was born by caesarean section, without any complications, then he and his mother are usually discharged on the fifth day.

A caesarean section is an operation, and the recovery after it is harder and longer than after a natural birth (1). The fragile body of the puerperal needs more time to return to normal.

What are the reasons for staying in the hospital?

Sometimes it happens that mother and child can stay in the hospital for a longer period. There may be several reasons.

Complications in childbirth. During childbirth, at any time, something can go wrong, no matter how you prepare for it. Complications due to which the discharge will be involuntarily delayed include:
• prolonged labor, complicated by bleeding,
• obstetric trauma: uterine or tissue rupture (2).
Complications in the postpartum period. Namely: bleeding due to the remnants of the placenta, ruptures of the birth canal, uterine rupture.
Premature baby. If the child was born prematurely, there can be no question of being discharged on the third or fifth day. Premature babies remain under medical supervision. According to Anaita Zaripova, sometimes they are immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit and, when their condition stabilizes, they are transferred to the neonatal pathology department.
Child health problems:
• weight loss,
• jaundice of newborns,
• other infectious diseases.

As our expert notes, severe cases in maternity hospitals are rare, but in case of complications with discharge, there is no need to rush.

“Premature babies stay in the maternity hospital for a long time, and their mothers visit them with expressed milk in the neonatal pathology department (OPN) or in intensive care at a certain time,” says pediatrician Anaita Zaripova. – Mom can be transferred to the OPN for a joint stay when the child’s condition stabilizes. Premature babies are always a difficult case, and everything related to their nursing is decided individually. There is no specific instruction on how to nurse such children.

What documents are issued at the maternity hospital upon discharge

Before the mother leaves the maternity hospital, she will receive a package of documents in her hands.

Birth statement. The certificate prescribes how the birth went, whether there are any complications, and also gives recommendations for the mother. This document will need to be transferred to the antenatal clinic, where the mother was observed during pregnancy.
Extract on the health of the child for the children’s clinic. It will be picked up by a pediatrician or health visitor at your first visit to your home.
Birth certificate. Recently, this document can be obtained directly at the maternity hospital. Important: the option is not available in all medical institutions. If your maternity hospital offers such an opportunity, the mother needs to write a statement, provide the original passport and marriage certificate.

What items to take with you

For discharge, you need to collect a package of certain things for mom and baby. It can be quite impressive, so the “discharge” package does not need to be taken with you to childbirth. Usually these things are brought by relatives on the day of discharge.

Collect a bag with things in advance, sign it “For discharge” and let the relatives who will come to meet you know where it lies. So on the right day it will be possible to avoid unnecessary explanations and hassle.

For Mom

Items for discharge should be comfortable and suitable for weather conditions. The rest depends on your preferences. If you are planning a small photo session, prepare the appropriate outfits and cosmetics.

Cosmetic bag. It is better to take it with you right away. If you leave cosmetics in the “discharge” package, you will not have time to put on makeup.
Outlet clothing. It can be a dress or a suit, most likely tights will be required. Keep in mind that the belly will not miraculously disappear immediately after childbirth, so you should give preference to loose-fitting outfits.
seasonal shoes
Outerwear, if it’s autumn / winter or just cold outside.

For the baby

The newborn will be in a new environment for the first time, so you need to carefully consider what to take for the crumbs.

Bodysuit, hat and socks. You can take this kit with you right away.
Envelope, blanket / plaid or overalls. Whatever you choose, the thing must match the weather.

Dad or other close relatives bring a package with things for discharge at the appointed time and hand it over to the medical staff immediately before discharge.

How to prepare for discharge from the hospital for mom and newborn

For your convenience, we have compiled a table of the main points that you need to consider.

Items for Mom	Cosmetic bag, comb, dress/suit, tights, outerwear
Items for discharge for the baby	Bodysuit, cap, socks, second layer of clothing depending on the season – overalls or envelope
Things to have ready at home	Baby bath tub. Changing table – for changing clothes and carrying out hygiene procedures. A chest of drawers for baby’s things. It is optimal to purchase a chest of drawers with three drawers. The first is for diapers, diapers and hygiene products, the second is for underwear sets, the third is for outerwear and clothes for growth. Humidifier. To maintain optimal humidity (55-60%). Clothing (usually size 56 is suitable): 3-4 bodysuits, 3-4 slips, socks, hats. Towel with a corner. Hygiene items and first aid kit: diapers for newborns, diaper cream, disposable and cotton diapers, nasal aspirator, brilliant green, cotton buds, wet wipes. Bed and mattress.
How to prepare an apartment / house	It is advisable that someone do wet cleaning in the housing before the arrival of the mother and child. It is better to abandon household chemicals or use products with a safe composition. A humidifier should work in the baby’s room, especially in winter. If there are pets at home, they should be combed out and then cleaned up.

Extract in summer

Many underestimate the second layer of clothing for the baby when discharged in the summer, but it is needed even in the heat. The delicate thin skin of the child must be protected from sunlight. For summer discharge, muslin blankets-envelopes are suitable: the fabric is “breathable”, but at the same time the skin is covered from the sun and wind.

It is better not to put a newborn in a heated car. Have relatives park in the shade or try to pre-cool the car with the air conditioner.

If the apartment is stuffy, cool it in advance with an air conditioner. But with a child, it is better not to turn it on.

Extract in autumn

It is difficult to prepare for the autumn discharge in advance. You do not know what will await you – Indian summer or prolonged rains.

It is best to purchase a demi-season overalls (it will still come in handy later). And if it is warm on the day of discharge, then you can meet the baby in a blanket.

Extract in winter

In winter, it is better to write out a newborn in an envelope with a sheepskin. This is a natural material in which it is warm, and at the same time the baby does not sweat. Do not run out of the room too quickly into the cold, stand a little in the lobby. For a baby, a sharp temperature drop is stressful.

Try not to be distracted by long photo shoots on the street and warm up the car in advance.

Extract in the spring

If it is a cold March, winter overalls are suitable for the child, if it is hot May, a thin blanket. Focus on the situation.

Keep in mind that the sun in spring can be deceiving: don’t go for too light clothing.

How to prepare for discharge from the hospital to relatives and friends

On the day of discharge, the help of relatives and friends is important. To make the first days with the baby easier for mom and dad, they can help with cleaning, setting the table, preparing food and preparations for the first time.

Typically, maternity hospitals allow up to six people in the lobby, while the rest can wait outside. But each maternity hospital can set its own rules on this matter, so check the allowed number of people in advance. And before you go to the discharge, talk to the newly-made parents: do they want to see a noisy crowd at the threshold of the maternity hospital. Some people do not need a holiday, they want to go home in silence as soon as possible. And by the way, you should not take people with signs of SARS and other infectious diseases for discharge and visit: the bodies of the baby and mother are still weak, they cannot be put at risk.

As for the holiday in honor of discharge from the hospital. On the first day of the appearance of the child at home, you can arrange gatherings if it is not difficult for parents. It will be good if relatives set the table or order food – mom definitely won’t be able to do this.

Toddlers do not yet react to noise, so a small tea party with loved ones is unlikely to interfere with their peace of mind. But it is better to refrain from parties with alcohol.

Let’s talk about other important points that need to be taken into account by relatives and friends of newly-made parents.

Flowers

Giving a bouquet of flowers to mom is a good tradition. Buy or order it in advance so as not to look for a flower stall near the maternity hospital. Well, if you can remember what kind of flowers a woman likes.

Infant car seat

Many take their children from the hospital by car. Take care of the safety of the baby in advance: buy an infant carrier and learn how to fasten it correctly. Carrying a baby in your arms is unacceptable.

Gifts for medical staff

Some parents give treats or flowers to the medical staff. This is not necessary, but if you also want to thank the doctors and nurses, find out in advance the number of people and prepare gifts.

It will not be superfluous to check with the staff of the maternity hospital whether this is allowed by the rules. Some establishments prohibit staff from accepting gifts.

Photo and video filming

You want to capture this unforgettable day, and many maternity hospitals even have special photo zones. Arrange in advance with the photographer about shooting and discuss what exactly needs to be filmed. Or you can appoint someone close to you as a photographer.

How is discharge from the hospital

Before discharge, mother and baby undergo several mandatory medical procedures.

Usually, 2-3 days after childbirth, a young mother undergoes an ultrasound scan of the pelvic organs. The doctor pays attention to the size of the uterus, how it contracts, checks if there are any remnants of the placenta, fetal membranes, clots in the uterine cavity.

On the second day after birth, the baby undergoes an ultrasound of the brain – neurosonography. This study allows you to identify malformations of the brain of a newborn or confirm their absence.

Daily checkups and screening

Every morning, the mother and child are checked by a neonatologist and nurses. They examine the baby, weigh it, listen. If the doctor notices something is wrong, he can take the child under observation.

Also, a general blood test is taken from the newborn to assess his condition. Premature babies take more advanced blood tests – everything is individual here, there is no specific list.

Neonatal screening is carried out 3-4 days after birth. This examination allows you to identify serious congenital pathologies. Blood is taken from the heel and a special test form is applied.

Immunizations

The first vaccinations are given in the hospital. On the first day of life, with the consent of the mother, the child is given a vaccine against hepatitis B, on the third day – against tuberculosis (BCG). If the mother is against vaccinations, she must write a waiver. Children with pathologies or premature babies receive medical advice.

You can leave the hospital when there are no threats to the health of the baby and mother.

Extracts in maternity hospitals are usually carried out every 15 minutes. By a certain time, the woman needs to gather herself and prepare the child. Then a nurse will come to the ward after them and lead them to the first floor to the discharge room. Dad or another relative should bring here a bag of clothes for mom and baby.

The woman dresses herself, and the baby is dressed by the medical staff. After that, the mother and child go out into the hall to their relatives. The photo in the hall is given 5-7 minutes, you can’t linger here – there is a queue.

Important!

The KP talks about the general rules, but each maternity hospital has its own rules – check in advance how the discharge is carried out in a particular institution and who can come to the meeting.