Table 4 Plans for preferred length of postnatal stay made at 36 weeks gestation

Vaginal birth (n = 103)

Leave the same day of the birth (6–12 hours)

18

17

One night stay (12–24 hours)

46

45

Two nights stay (24–48 hours)

37

36

Option was not applicable (having a planned caesarean birth)

2

2

Caesarean birth (n = 24)

One night stay (up to 32 hours)

1

4

Two nights stay ( up to 48 hours)

5

21

Three nights stay (48–72 hours)

9

38

Standard care (>72 hours)

9

38