[Early discharge from maternity: problems, exigencies and recommendations]

Early discharge 72 hours after delivery remains the mother choice, although the final decision is taken by the midwife as well as the paediatrician of the unit, and never before the third day. A follow-up at home is systematically proposed during at least two days. Specially trained midwives of the maternity are in charge of this follow up. A one year evaluation of this practice shows that early discharge, after good clinical evaluation, with regular follow up as long as necessary, is not responsible for infants rehospitalisations as a result of undiagnosed pathology or maternal incompetence.