Can American hospital legally keep mom and baby for 24 hours after birth? ?

Question

Hi 
My question is can American hospitals legally not discharge a mom and her baby for at least 24 hours after birth when there has been no complication and the baby was born healthy? Yes its recommended by the American system to hold mom there for a min of 24 hours after birth who have had no complication at birth which I find riculous when there's no reason to stay that lengh of time unless the mom wants to.Can they legally say you have to stay the minimum of 24 hours though? 
That's all I want to know.Especially if you have had 3 other childbirth with no complication and had 2 home birth where there no history of complications.I don't see myself unless the baby at birth has problems that they do have a right to say they won't discharge you just cause they want to check if nothing were to happen that's not validating a proper reason to hold a mom there if she wants to go home.I come from a different country that let's you go home same day even hours after having birth if there's nothing wrong with you or baby that they don't hold you there for a min of 24hours when they got no reasons to as there's nothing wrong with the baby so therefore there's nothing for them to observe with the baby so they discharge you.I'm having a baby in over a week and I'm in the United Kingdom but married to an American here in England and I'm having to use the American hospital ( military base) because its the nearest to where we live

Alexander · Answer

No, you can't be held against your will. Just sign the release form and leave.

A Hunch · Answer

You are always able to leave the hospital if you can physically walk out.
If the hospital/doctors wants you to stay longer, they will ask you to sign an AMA form (against medical advice).

Post birth complications aren't usual but also not rare.  You are at risk of developing preeclampsia, blood clots, and other conditions.

LizB · Answer

If you are of sound mind and not in imminent danger then the hospital can't keep you against your will, but they will try *really* darn hard to convince you to stay for the minimum recommended amount of time. If you decide to discharge yourself, they also may require you to sign a document stating you are leaving the hospital "against medical advice." Which means if something bad happens to you, you essentially forfeit grounds to sue them.

All of that said... don't give birth at an American military hospital. Not even mainland Americans should be giving birth at military hospitals. Really women in general just shouldn't go to military hospitals for anything ever if they can help it. Go to an English hospital, you'll be safer and better treated there, and won't get handed a $7,000 medical bill a month afterward.

Anonymous · Answer

To ? Lol 😆 what a dumbass response lmao . You clearly not reading. How does this make the mother selfish and not thinking about her kid? 🤔
Why would anyone want to stay away at a hospital when they got other kids and there's nothing wrong with the baby at birth so therefore their baby is healthy ??

That's time wasting to keep someone there for no reason. 
Just cause you'd given birth don't use the kid as a valid reason alone to state this persons basically being selfish and putting herself first JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GO HOME. Why do you think they are saying that because there's nothing wrong with the baby  Absolutely stupid response that is.

Lmao 🤣 people like you omg have no brain

sunshine_mel · Answer

No - unless there's a medical reason to stay, you can discharge yourself.

(If you can, I'd suggest going to a UK hospital; military base options aren't ideal)

? · Answer

No, they can't legally force you to stay in hospital.  That said, you're a mommy now, time to start thinking about your kid rather than yourself.

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Can American hospital legally keep mom and baby for 24 hours after birth? ?

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