BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuQuestions to ask your doctor about hospital care after deliveryWhat to ask your doctor about hospital care for momYou are going to give birth to a baby. You may want to know about the things to do or avoid during your hospital stay. You may also want to know about the care you receive at the hospital. Below are some questions you may ask your health care provider about your stay at the hospital.QuestionsHow should I prepare for my hospital stay?Should I preregister with the hospital? Can the hospital reasonably accommodate my birth plan? If I need to come to the hospital during off-hours, what entrance should I use? Can I schedule a tour ahead of time? What should I pack to bring to the hospital? Can I wear my own clothes? Can a family member or friend stay with me in the hospital during labor and delivery? How many people can attend my delivery? What are my options for food and beverages? Can I breastfeed my baby right after birth?If I want, can I have skin-to-skin contact with my baby right after birth? Will there be a lactation consultant who can help with breastfeeding? How often should I breastfeed while in the hospital? Can my baby stay in my room? Can my baby be cared for in the nursery if I need to sleep or shower? What should I expect in the first 24 hours post-delivery?Will I stay in the same room as the delivery, or will I be moved to a postpartum room? Can my family member or friend stay with me after delivery? Will I have a private room? How long will I stay in the hospital? What types of exams or tests will I receive after delivery? What exams or tests will my baby receive after delivery? What will my pain management options be? How often will my OB/GYN visit? How often will my baby's pediatrician visit? If I require a Cesarean birth (C-section), how will that affect my care? Open ReferencesReferencesACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing postpartum care. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(5):e140-e150. PMID: 29683911 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29683911/.Isley MM. Postpartum care and long-term health considerations. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.AllVideoImagesTogA Closer Look Heart failure - InDepth(In-Depth)Depression - InDepth(In-Depth)Urinary incontinence - InDepth(In-Depth)Bipolar disorder - InDepth(In-Depth)Infertility in women - InDepth(In-Depth)Exercise - InDepth(In-Depth)Talking to your MD Questions to ask your doctor about hospital care after deliveryQuestions to ask your doctor about labor and deliveryQuestions to ask your doctor about post pregnancy careQuestions to ask your child's doctor about cancerQuestions to ask your doctor before knee replacementQuestions to ask your surgeon about spinal surgeryQuestions to ask your doctor about going home with your babyHip or knee replacement - before - what to ask your doctor Mastectomy and breast reconstruction - what to ask your doctorHip or knee replacement - after - what to ask your doctor Self Care After vaginal delivery - in the hospitalTests and visits before surgeryAfter a C-section - in the hospitalThe day of your surgery - adultWhat to include in your birth planRelated Information Review Date: 4/1/2023 Reviewed By: John D. Jacobson, MD, Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Questions to ask your doctor about hospital care after deliveryWhat to ask your doctor about hospital care for momYou are going to give birth to a baby. You may want to know about the things to do or avoid during your hospital stay. You may also want to know about the care you receive at the hospital. Below are some questions you may ask your health care provider about your stay at the hospital.QuestionsHow should I prepare for my hospital stay?Should I preregister with the hospital? Can the hospital reasonably accommodate my birth plan? If I need to come to the hospital during off-hours, what entrance should I use? Can I schedule a tour ahead of time? What should I pack to bring to the hospital? Can I wear my own clothes? Can a family member or friend stay with me in the hospital during labor and delivery? How many people can attend my delivery? What are my options for food and beverages? Can I breastfeed my baby right after birth?If I want, can I have skin-to-skin contact with my baby right after birth? Will there be a lactation consultant who can help with breastfeeding? How often should I breastfeed while in the hospital? Can my baby stay in my room? Can my baby be cared for in the nursery if I need to sleep or shower? What should I expect in the first 24 hours post-delivery?Will I stay in the same room as the delivery, or will I be moved to a postpartum room? Can my family member or friend stay with me after delivery? Will I have a private room? How long will I stay in the hospital? What types of exams or tests will I receive after delivery? What exams or tests will my baby receive after delivery? What will my pain management options be? How often will my OB/GYN visit? How often will my baby's pediatrician visit? If I require a Cesarean birth (C-section), how will that affect my care? Open ReferencesReferencesACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing postpartum care. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(5):e140-e150. PMID: 29683911 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29683911/.Isley MM. Postpartum care and long-term health considerations. In: Landon MB, Galan HL, Jauniaux ERM, et al, eds. Gabbe's Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.