Sequels of ’95 : New Moms Prefer to Stick Around Hospital for a While

When Aurora Caudillo of San Fernando checked into Valley Presbyterian Hospital on June 19, in labor with her second child, a national debate was raging about how long new mothers should remain hospitalized (“In the Hours Following Childbirth . . . “ June 22). A few months before, Kaiser Permanente, Los Angeles, had initiated a voluntary early discharge program in which healthy mothers could leave as early as eight hours after delivery. Short-stay programs were in place at other facilities too.

But Caudillo, who stayed for two days after she delivered 7-pound, 12-ounce Manuel Gomez, is still happy about the decision. The road’s been rough. Little Manuel was hospitalized in July for a high fever; doctors told Caudillo last month that he has a heart murmur.

Meanwhile, less than 1% of new moms leave Kaiser at the eight-hour mark, a representative says. And a bill introduced by Assemblywoman Liz Figueroa (D-Fremont) that requires coverage for a minimum of 48 hours of inpatient care (plus a home visit) has passed the state Senate; an Assembly vote is expected next month.