Length of Stay

If your birth has been normal and there are no medical reasons to keep you or your baby in hospital you can be discharged home as early as 2 hours after the birth of your baby if you have good support from your family/whānau and your LMC is agreeable.

Discharge home is discussed with your LMC, if there are no clinical indications for you to remain in hospital and if you and your carer’s are in agreement the length of stay is usually up to 48 hours. If there are clinical issues for you or your baby to remain in hospital then these are reviewed on a case by case basis.

If you have had a caesarean section it is usual to require around 3-4 days of inpatient care. The first 48 hours of this is under the care of the specialist at Taranaki Base Hospital. The following 24-48hours will be under the care of your midwife at Base or Hāwera Maternity Unit.

Last updated: Tuesday, January 19, 2016