So you’ve just had a baby and, whether you had complications, needed medication, had a C-section, or your lovely darling simply decided to arrive late, you now have to stay in hospital overnight.

Hopefully you had a bag packed and either you or your birth partner remembered to grab it in the rush to get to labour ward. As you, your new bundle of joy and whatever you bought with you get carted over to the ward…everything apart from your partner. That’s right — many post-labour wards are shared, usually with around four beds, meaning once visiting hours are over, you’re on your own.

I had Ozzy around 6pm and, with all the skin-to-skin, measurements, checks on both me and baby, and finally getting a shower that made me feel human again, visiting hours had already passed before they took me over to the ward. Thankfully they let my partner help get me set for the night before showing him the door. Despite knowing the hospital rules and being in the night before and having him leave then it still hit me a lot harder then I had expected. I’ll blame it on all the hormones. But be prepared to be solo parenting from day one or hour one in some cases.

What to Expect

You are placed on a shared ward, and are separated from the other women by a curtain this means it will be;

• Bright- hospital lights will be kept on, as well as other beds using their lamps. Pack an eye mask if you struggle falling asleep with bright lights.
• Loud – Other babies crying, machines beeping, people talking, and of course your baby crying too
• Interrupted- Midwives have to check on baby and you, doing blood pressure tests, checking temperature etc. This is all necessary but means you probably won’t get uninterrupted rest.
• Overwhelming- You’ve just had a baby and now you’re sort of on your own and responsible for keeping them safe. In the early hours of the morning it can all catch up to you. Just remember you will learn and help is only a buzz away.

In most cases you won’t even take notice of this, you’ve been in labour for however long which uses up a ton of energy, meaning you’ll likely pass out as soon as your head hits the pillow. I certainly did, the midwife would barely pull the curtain across before I was dead to the world again. Plus you have your baby, what you waited a long time growing, going to appointments and eagerly awaiting. That night, when I was finally alone, I just stared at Ozzy — his tiny ears, fingers, and face. I had made all of that, and somehow it made up for every disruption.

You will be fine despite all the disruptions and how daunting it is being alone, you won’t be staying here forever and in most births you do only have to stay in for 1 night. You also get the added bonus of the lovely hospital workers who give you advice and answer all your questions, as well as the perk of the hospital toast.

Among the noise, interruptions, hormones, and exhaustion, there’s also something really special about that first night — just you and your baby, learning each other for the very first time.