Some new mums are being sent home as soon as four hours after birth in what the national president is calling a cost-saving measure ‘which has to stop’.
There are growing concerns for new mums in Australia with the national president of the Australian Medical Association warning they’re being sent home far too quickly after they give birth.
Doctor Michael Gannon said some new mums are being sent home as soon as four hours after bringing their new bubs into the world in what the national president is calling a cost-saving measure ‘which has to stop’.
“Not only have they had a long pregnancy and the ordeal of labour, but we are then sending them home to look after their baby,” Dr Gannon told ABC.
“Surely the fourth richest country in the world can do better than send women home four hours after their babies are born.”
Moreover, Dr Gannon says pushing mums out doesn’t give them time to bond with their new bub or even breastfeed in some instances. He says new mums would benefit for longer time in hospital for support:
“We know the benefits of breastfeeding,” he said.
“Let’s give young women the chance to establish this in a safe way.
“If we are really serious about post-natal depression prevention, and we should be, if we are serious about supporting women in breastfeeding, and we should be, if we are serious about giving our children the best possible start in life, then this trend surely has to stop”.
