Hospital Discharge Options
Each birth experience is individual. Different factors will affect when you and your baby are discharged from the
hospital after giving birth.
Early Discharge
For vaginal deliveries without complications, you have the option of being discharged home approximately 3 hours
postpartum. For those who choose this option, your midwife will review signs and symptoms to look for and reasons
to page your midwife. Your midwife will also review information about feeding and postpartum care. If you go home early
one of your midwives will plan to do a home visit usually the next day (or within 24 hours). There are three routine tests
offered at 24 hours of age for babies who are in the hospital. These tests can be done the following day at the hospital at a scheduled appointment if the decision is made for early discharge.
These tests include:
● Screening for jaundice in babies routinely occurs at 24 hours postpartum prior to discharge home. The Canadian
Pediatric Society (CPS) recommends that all babies are screened for jaundice and have this test
● The Newborn Screening test is routinely done in hospital at around 24 hours of age. It is a screen for serious diseases,
which can cause developmental delays, poor growth, or death if not treated. These diseases usually have no symptoms
at first, so it is important to check all babies to allow for early treatment.
● CCHD (Critical Congenital Heart Disease) screening. CCHD refers to conditions where a baby’s heart or major blood
vessels around the heart have not formed properly. They are called critical because they require surgery or intervention
in the first year of life to ensure healthy outcomes for the baby. Screening is painless for the baby. An oxygen probe is placed
on the hand and then on the foot to check the oxygen levels.
*The Newborn Hearing Screen routinely occurs after 24 hours. If a baby goes home prior to having this test, the parents
will need to book an appointment with the infant hearing screen program.
www.ontario.ca/page/infant-hearing-program
Staying About 24 Hours
Everyone has the option to stay in hospital for approximately 24 hours. There are circumstances where you or baby
may need to stay longer in the hospital. If you choose to stay 24 hours, then the routine newborn tests will be done in
the hospital. During the stay in the hospital, nurses will routinely check up and assist with infant feeding.
Staying 2-3 Days (For C-section or complicated deliveries)
In certain cases, you or baby may need to stay longer in the hospital. Most commonly this would be in cases where the
delivery was a caesarean section. But can occur for other reasons as well (for example difficult deliveries, baby requiring
special care).
The Obstetrician will make recommendations regarding when they would recommend you are discharged post caesarean
section or in some cases a difficult delivery. The paediatrician will make recommendations regarding infant care in these
cases.
If Baby is in the Special Care Nursery:
Sometimes a baby requires a longer stay in the Special Care Nursery (NICU). If this is the case, then the parent may be
discharged prior to baby. There are a few rooms next to the nursery where, if available, the parents can stay to help care
for their baby. These are just rooms to stay in and you won’t receive any medical care, medications, or supplies. If a baby
is in the nursery, one of your midwives will see you either at home or at the hospital.
Each birth experience is individual. Different factors will affect when you and your baby are discharged from the
hospital after giving birth.
Early Discharge
For vaginal deliveries without complications, you have the option of being discharged home approximately 3 hours
postpartum. For those who choose this option, your midwife will review signs and symptoms to look for and reasons
to page your midwife. Your midwife will also review information about feeding and postpartum care. If you go home early
one of your midwives will plan to do a home visit usually the next day (or within 24 hours). There are three routine tests
offered at 24 hours of age for babies who are in the hospital. These tests can be done the following day at the hospital at a scheduled appointment if the decision is made for early discharge.
These tests include:
● Screening for jaundice in babies routinely occurs at 24 hours postpartum prior to discharge home. The Canadian
Pediatric Society (CPS) recommends that all babies are screened for jaundice and have this test
● The Newborn Screening test is routinely done in hospital at around 24 hours of age. It is a screen for serious diseases,
which can cause developmental delays, poor growth, or death if not treated. These diseases usually have no symptoms
at first, so it is important to check all babies to allow for early treatment.
● CCHD (Critical Congenital Heart Disease) screening. CCHD refers to conditions where a baby’s heart or major blood
vessels around the heart have not formed properly. They are called critical because they require surgery or intervention
in the first year of life to ensure healthy outcomes for the baby. Screening is painless for the baby. An oxygen probe is placed
on the hand and then on the foot to check the oxygen levels.
*The Newborn Hearing Screen routinely occurs after 24 hours. If a baby goes home prior to having this test, the parents
will need to book an appointment with the infant hearing screen program.
www.ontario.ca/page/infant-hearing-program
Staying About 24 Hours
Everyone has the option to stay in hospital for approximately 24 hours. There are circumstances where you or baby
may need to stay longer in the hospital. If you choose to stay 24 hours, then the routine newborn tests will be done in
the hospital. During the stay in the hospital, nurses will routinely check up and assist with infant feeding.
Staying 2-3 Days (For C-section or complicated deliveries)
In certain cases, you or baby may need to stay longer in the hospital. Most commonly this would be in cases where the
delivery was a caesarean section. But can occur for other reasons as well (for example difficult deliveries, baby requiring
special care).
The Obstetrician will make recommendations regarding when they would recommend you are discharged post caesarean
section or in some cases a difficult delivery. The paediatrician will make recommendations regarding infant care in these
cases.
If Baby is in the Special Care Nursery:
Sometimes a baby requires a longer stay in the Special Care Nursery (NICU). If this is the case, then the parent may be
discharged prior to baby. There are a few rooms next to the nursery where, if available, the parents can stay to help care
for their baby. These are just rooms to stay in and you won’t receive any medical care, medications, or supplies. If a baby
is in the nursery, one of your midwives will see you either at home or at the hospital.
