Women with a vaginal delivery will typically stay in hospital for 24-48 hours for their first baby, and 24 hours, or sometimes less, for subsequent pregnancies. Stays may need to extended for maternal medical reasons, or if the baby is not yet ready for discharge. Moms and babies room in together, and partners are encouraged to stay and help.

The woman’s own OB typically will see her daily, except on weekends and holidays, when rounds are done by the on-call OB. The OB discharges the mother, pending discharge of the newborn by the Pediatrician. If a baby requires an extended hospital stay (eg. greater than one week), the mother will be usually be discharged independently of the baby. In select cases, mother/baby pairs can be admitted together to the Rabbit Pod at BC Children’s for more extended stays. Upon discharge, a nursing home visit will be arranged.

Women are encouraged to mobilize early, and pain medications will be provided to optimize this. They are all safe for breastfeeding. Women will receive a lot of breastfeeding support by their postpartum nurse, and lactation consultants are also available on weekdays.

Most first time mothers, and many repeat mothers will have stitches on their perineum. Keeping the area clean and dry is important and sitz baths will be provided. Stool softeners are also routinely available.

It’s normal to have bleeding postpartum, and it can be as much as a heavy period. Typically, it tapers off over time, but it can persist up to 6 weeks after the delivery. Very heavy bleeding (soaking a pad in less than an hour/huge clots) requires immediate attention.