Minimum Lengths of Stay

The minimum length of inpatient stay for mothers and infants shall be 48 hours following a vaginal delivery and 96 hours following a cesarean section. These time periods begin at the time of the infant’s birth. Inpatient stays of less than these time frames shall constitute early discharge. No discharge shall occur between the hours of 8:00 P.M. and 8:00 A.M. without the mother’s agreement. Any decision to shorten these minimum stays shall be made by the attending practitioners for both mother and infant in consultation with and upon agreement by the mother. For the purposes of 105 CMR 130.660, attending practitioner shall include obstetrician, pediatrician, family physician, or otherwise qualified attending physician, certified nurse midwife, or nurse practitioner.