Why Does Kate Middleton Leave the Hospital So Soon After Giving Birth?

Kate Middletononlygave birth to her third child a few hours ago——但她已经回到家里Kensington Palace. She left the hospital just seven hours after giving birth.

But why doesKatemake such a quick exit from the hospital? Well, in the U.K., it isn’t very unusual. In the U.S., new mothers average two days in the hospital before heading home. However, in the U.K., new moms average a day and a half — the shortest postpartum hospital stays of any high-income country,according to a 2016 article inThe Guardian.Though Kate did spent the night after giving birth toPrince Georgein 2013, she left less than 10 hours after welcomingPrincess Charlottein 2015.

“The length of time a woman spends in hospital will vary depending on their needs,” Louise Silverton, the director for Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives,toldThe Guardian. “Midwives need to check to make sure women feel up to going home. However, provided the woman is medically fine, has the support she needs at home and the right postnatal care plan in place, and a good community midwife service, then going home even five or six hours after birth may be absolutely fine.”

Another reason forKate’s quick exit— one that’s entirely unique to her — is the sheer frenzy her presence causes at the hospital.Fans camp out for weeksoutside and parking restrictions are put in place. Kate, of course, isnot the only mother giving birth at the Lindo Wing, and the activity and noise would be overwhelming for anyone.

If Kate goes home to Kensington Palace today, help is only a phone call away if needed. Members ofher medical teamare likely on stand-by in case Kate or her new baby boy needs anything.

But there’s one big moment to go before they head home: Just before leaving the hospital, we’llget a glimpse of the littlest royalon the steps of the Lindo Wing with proud parents Kate and William.