Advice on preparing 4.5 yr old dd for hospital birth with midwife

[dot1]

Asked my midwife today at 31-32 week appt and she was encouraging of my dd being there if well prepared and with another adult 1:1 all the time who can bring her in and out as needed.  My mom's coming to stay with us a week before my due date and will stay a few weeks (so it would be Grandma looking after dd and dh supporting me during birth).  dd has been with me to all my appt's at the hospital (unlike dh!) and seems quite interested.

Anyone have experience with this in hospital environment? (our hospital is smaller and operates much like a birthing centre might, staff are friendly and pro-natural childbirth...but there's still OB/emergency C-section access).  

How about DVD recommendations that are age appropriate for a 4.5 yr old (that show hospital birth)?

Any words of wisdom greatly appreciated!  None of our friends have done this.

[cameragirl]

Does the hospital offer tours for siblings? Our local hospitals offer "little helper" classes with stories, activities, and a tour of the birthing center. I plan on signing my daughter up later on in the pregnancy. Your local library probably has some books available, as well. I would ask the librarian to help you find any local resources.

I have been talking to DD when she feels like it about what to expect. We talk about how she came out by c-section, and how babies are normally born. I explained how I hope the baby comes out the normal way, but that I'd be happy either way as long as baby and I are healthy. She likes to ask about how she was as a newborn, how she was born, etc. She usually brings it up every day. It may just be a minute or two that we talk about it, but I think it really helps her to process what is going on.

[dot1]

Originally Posted by cameragirl 

Does the hospital offer tours for siblings? Our local hospitals offer "little helper" classes with stories, activities, and a tour of the birthing center. I plan on signing my daughter up later on in the pregnancy. Your local library probably has some books available, as well. I would ask the librarian to help you find any local resources.

I have been talking to DD when she feels like it about what to expect. We talk about how she came out by c-section, and how babies are normally born. I explained how I hope the baby comes out the normal way, but that I'd be happy either way as long as baby and I are healthy. She likes to ask about how she was as a newborn, how she was born, etc. She usually brings it up every day. It may just be a minute or two that we talk about it, but I think it really helps her to process what is going on.

Thanks!  We can get a tour just us- but I doubt it's large enough to have anything organized for kids.  Just got back from library - no videos but they had the Sheila Kitzinger guide to childbirth which has some photos of real births.  
 

[cameragirl]

If your library doesn't have any, they can loan books from a larger library that does. I'm sure bookstores have books for older siblings, but the library is definitely less expensive. Good luck.

[dot1]

Thanks.  Can anyone recommend any book titles or DVD's that I could order through inter-library loan?