Do you need your husbands during your hospital stay?

[Macaela25]

When I had DS, the maternity ward was so over capacity that women were laboring on gurneys in the hallways. I saw a nurse after my c-section every 8-12 hours, and for unexplained reasons DS could never go back to the nursery for me to rest. I had an extremely hard time getting DS out of the isolette to feed/change him (IV lines only reach so far), and got ZERO sleep in 48 hours. I actually requested to go home a day early since I could get more care and attention at home.

Last time I was dumb enough to tell DH to go to work while I was in the hospital, since I assumed the nurses would take care of me. Someone WILL be with me the whole time I'm there, except at night when I will insist that the baby has to go back to the nursery for me to rest at least for a few hours. It is ludicrous to think that someone who has just had major abdominal surgery can care for a newborn alone immediately following surgery.

I've found my voice since my son was born. Things are going to be VERY different with this baby.

[CouponFairy]

I know I'm late to this conversation, but I wanted my husband there for the delivery, he could cuddle with the baby, but then I wanted him to go to my sister's house and be with our other children. He wants to stay in a cot the entire time I'm there, but honestly, I just wanted him to leave so I could have a break from everything and everyone. It's the only time I knew I would have to rest. It didn't work that way, he was there day and night. LOL Gotta love him, though.We delivered our baby girl May 11, '09. She was 6lbs, 5oz.

[mamawhit322]

I also demand that my husband be there. He wanted to go home when DS was born, but I didn't let him at night. I'm a very needy person- especially when I'm pregnant/post partum. I *need* him there, just for the companionship. I *need* to know that he's right there for me.

Now, physically, did I need him? Not really. I think the only time I actually asked him for help was when I was showering and needed to get the sticky from the tape from the epidural off my back.

He did leave early in the morning to bring SD to school, and then in the afternoon to go pick her up. He also left a couple of times to go to Walmart for a few things I needed but didn't have (nursing gown. *shrug*) and to get some food, because he didn't want hospital food.

[loveebella]

My hubby was there with both sons. I had vaginal deliveries and other than being weak I was able to get up and walk around by night with both of my boys. I won't lie I needed him there. I cannot imagine giving birth and him not being there. One time I got sick and I had to be hospitalized and he asked me if I wanted him to stay..I said you don't have to but I would like for you to. He took the next 2 days off while I was in the hospital..aw I love my man,he is so good to me!!

[addysclosetandmore]

I've had two vaginal births, one with epidural & one without. I don't know what I would have done without my dh there for me during my stay. I took care of the baby, he was in charge of taking care of me!

I only had one overnight stay, I was in & out of the hospital in 12 hours with my 2nd (she was born about 50 minutes after I got to the hospital). My oldest was there for the birth, though at 17 months she was too young to really understand what was going on!

[gngcrzy4u2]

LOL- I dont demand it- it's a given- he doesnt have a choice! :) Not only do I want him there as a companion, but I also need csections and REALLLLLY appreciate the extra help with baby. I'd be WAY too exhausted to do it on my own. We fly MIL down when I have a baby to help w/the other kids at home so they are well taken care of (we dont have any babysitters here or anything). And the great thing about it is, my DH wants to be there and is all gung-ho to have the new baby. I LOVE IT!

[JoesWife]

I wanted my DH to stay with me & he wanted to as well. I am glad we talked about it & planned it before hand because I ended up with a unplanned c section. There is no way I could've taken of her on my own since I couldn't get up etc. Our birthing center doesn't have a nursery to send your healthy baby to so she was in the room the entire time with us- DH was such a help with me & her! The way we see it is that we started this together as a team so we are going to continue it that way. He was really able to bond with the baby in the hospital too.

[oceanbreeze]

I have a long way to go til delivery but I would definitely want my husband to stay over with me. The hospital has a policy though, that if you are in a shared room you are not allowed to have overnight visitors. I think that is crummy, but won't have a choice but to comply.

I don't know if he will stay the entire time I am there, as we will have family coming and going from out of town that will need a place to crash for a few hours (back at our place) and so maybe he'll get some rest at home too. Nothing is a demand, just sure would be nice to have some mom/dad/baby time alone right away.

[cintinative]

I had pretty bad baby blues with my first, so when I had my second, it wasn't even a question. If I was going to be crying myself to sleep, I wanted dh with me. Fortunately I did not have the baby blues with #2. But anyway, something to think about. You just never know--hormones are messy business!

[neesie03]

Only with the first birth(and I didn't demand it) since we were new parents, all my births were vaginal so after #1, I didn't feel like he needed to sleepover. Also, with the other 2 I left within 24 hours so I was only in the hospital one night.

I think it's awful that there are still hospitals in this day and time that wouldn't give dads the choice to stay overnight.