After having a baby, some women want to rest in the hospital as long as possible. Current New York state laws require that insurance cover a new mother for 48 hours in the hospital after a normal delivery, so no woman has to leave before then. However, some women want to return to their own homes and families as soon as possible after having a baby. For those who desire an early discharge, look into special programs at the hospital designed to ensure that the return home is safe. Particular attention should be paid to the well-being of the newborn to make sure the homecoming is healthy.
Anesthesiologists are an important part of the team that provides care to women in labor.
Obviously those women who have a cesarean section will require the services of an anesthesiologist. However, women who have a vaginal delivery often want the services of an anesthesiologist as well. The overwhelming majority of women who need anesthesia for labor or for cesarean section request an epidural. The number of professionals who are on-site at all times is very important. Physicians, midwives and nurses should have dealt with every possible obstetrical contingency and should be prepared to deal with any unexpected event that can occur during childbirth.