re: How long were you in the hospital with your newborn?

We went in on Monday and left on Friday. My wife's water broke Monday but the baby didn't come until Wednesday afternoon. She ran a fever so they made us stay a couple days extra.

This was during peak Covid in California. They said if I left they wouldn't let me back in so I stayed in the room the whole time with my wife.

We were in the hospital here in Bham for a week. Right after little man was born, they did an X-Ray on his chest and said that all of his ribs were “detached.” The pediatrician said we might have to change hospitals and have some emergency surgeries to make sure he could live. Then they shuffled him off to the NICU. Wife and I had been trying for years to have a kid so the news was devastating.

Spent all night in the hospital chapel praying. The next morning, the doctor called and said “Looks like we misread the X-Rays. He’s absolutely normal. But we did notice a little bit jaundice so we’re gonna keep him here another day.” Needless to say we were relieved but pissed. Then it became a new thing everyday. They just kept moving the goal posts on letting him leave when he was perfectly healthy. It was as if they were just milking the insurance and apparently the hospital had a rep for keeping babies in the NICU for longer than usual.

Finally after a week, I said frick it. Time for me to stand up for my son. Absolutely created a scene in the NICU and threatened to sue. Full Karen which isn’t my style. We were released later that day. My son was completely healthy.

2 1/2 years later we were back for our daughter. That same pediatrician checked her out and recognized us. They didn’t screw around this time. Immediate clean bill of health. We were out three days later.

Just over 24 hours on #3 a few weeks ago. Wife is former nicu nurse, knows what to say and do to get the hell out of there.

few pro tips:
baby doesn't need you, baby needs mom, mom needs you
-my kids were born very small, popped right out in a few minutes once the pushing started, the lead up to the pushing could be 10 minutes or 10 hours it will likely be in the hours, don't walk in the hospital starving, dying of thirst and empty handed, once you get there if shes getting anesthesia she won't be allowed to eat, plan accordingly/get a snack on the way if you have to
-couch is uncomfortable, bring a pillow and blanket from home
-the cafeteria food in general is not edible, plan ahead to get delivery or run out nearby and grab meals/coffee/snacks
-bring a small bag with toothbrush etc, shes going to bring a ton of shite most of it she won't need, but a fresh change of clothes and toothbrush will get you by
-I grabbed some snacks from whole foods and picked up dinner a few hours after last baby was born. Got one of those insulated cooler bags at whole foods and snuck a 6 pack in with dinner, made watching the game from the recliner in the room a little better.

My son was born around 2am early on a Saturday, we left Sunday around 2pm

After the baby came, I went home to check on the dogs and was able to sleep for a few hours. Last solid peaceful sleep I would have for several years.

Wife’s first was 3 nights. Our second was only one night.

C section

4 nights

1st one. had her late Friday night. left Mon morning.(day after Super Bowl)

2nd Wed early evening, out on Friday.

When she complains about the pain of child birth, tell her you get it. You've had a hang nail once.

3 days, she was in labor fit 36hs