The hospital food with my first was wonderful. You could call your breakfast order in starting at 7 and it was delivered half an hour later. Choose like a main and four sides. It was enought for my eating for two truckers self and my husband.
With my second, the damn hospital fed the materinty ward last and it was such an instutional meal. Now I hear that their cafeteria is great.
Finally got to see him about 3.5 hours after his birth. But, it was nice to have a few days of pampering after the first birth.The thing I hated most about the hospital was that my hospital didn't let laboring women have solids. One more reason that I'm going to stay home as long as possible.
It really is the stupidest rule EVER. I mean, what's the difference if I labor for hours at home, eat, then come in and need an emergency c-section vs. Laboring at the hospital for hours then needing an emergency c-section. And really, what are the chances of me needing an emergency c-section AND then aspirating?
Other than that I didn't mind the hospital. When I woke up the 2nd morning there, though, I was like, "DH, I NEED to get out of here." And I took all the swag I could - mesh panties, medela nipple cream, the breast shells they gave me, peri bottle, sitz bath, diapers, pacis, everything I could get my hands on. The nurse was awesome, and she brought some extras of some of the stuff I was low on, and a whole new container of the witch hazel pads - those were super awesome!
I ended up not liking the mesh panties, though. As soon as we got home, I sent DH to the store to buy some of the big ole Fruit of the Loom granny panties. I guess I needed the feel of real undies.
Yeah - I snuck a mini pumpkin muffin that my DH brought for the nurses last time. Definitely planning on sneaking food this time. But hopefully I time it right and don't need to be there (in L&D) that long!
You really can't eat that much at one time in labor anyway, so I think you definitely need to do the sustained food thing. At least I couldn't. I could only put down half of a PB & J before I got to the hospital.
Definitely need to add regularly scheduled snacks to my labor plan... I'm one of those stupid people who forgets to eat when they're busy/otherwise occupied. Then I turn into... well, apparently mothering doesn't have an emoticon that properly displays my level of bitchy.
So, to use this as a place to keep running notes for myself:
- Stay home as long as comfortable
- Pack snacks for labor.
Any ladies have any good small snack suggestions?
Although we only packed our hospital bag 5 minutes before we left to head there last time, we remembered to bring snacks with us. Alas, it was no use, I was not able to keep anything down, even water. Eventually I had to ask for an IV because I was feeling dehydrated. And after the birth it was a couple of days before I really got my appetite back.
I'm having a natural hospital birth. My OB and nurse were actually excited about my birth and having it au naturale. I 
them. This will be my second hospital birth, but my 3rd child. I can't have homebirths anymore since I am high risk. This time, what will be different is that I will have a doula. Get a birth plan together for your birth and then one separate for the nursery. When I find mine I will post it for you for an example.
Parents: Catherine and David
Attended by:
Doula:
Obstetrician:
David and I are anticipating a natural birth for our second child. We value your encouragement and support in making this possible!
FIRST STAGE:
--Freedom of movement is very important to me as I plan to employ a variety of natural pain management techniques. I appreciate your assistance in making this possible through the use of a heplock and flexible monitoring.
--Please wait for me to request pain medication.
--I prefer to avoid routine vaginal exams.
SECOND STAGE:
--I intend to follow my natural urge to push but welcome assistance in finding effective positions.
--I welcome your support in preventing a tear but prefer a natural tear over an episiotomy. I do not consent to an episiotomy.
--Please remind me to touch my daughter's head as she is born.
AFTER THE BIRTH:
--Please place my daughter directly on my chest/stomach after birth.
--David would like to cut the cord once it stops pulsating (4-5 minutes after the birth).
--Please allow the placenta to birth without traction or routine medication and save the placenta for us to take home.
--To enhance bonding, we will delay going to the nursery until the 1 hour limit.
--We will room in. Routine procedures (bath, etc) can be done in our room/with our assistance. We will accompany our daughter on nursery visits.
--We will be breastfeeding and do not consent to the use of artificial nipples or supplements (including glucose solution and/or formula).
IN THE EVENT OF A CESAREAN:
--I would prefer a spinal for surgery and a double layer closure of the uterine incision.
--I would like to see my child as she is born and for David to hold her after she is examined.
--I would like one arm free so I can "hold" my child with assistance. I am aware of the need to maintain a sterile field and will not reach into it.
--I will initiate breastfeeding as soon as possible and appreciate your support in this.
--David will go with our child if she needs to be taken to the nursery.
Nursery Visit for Initial Weighing, etc:
-- We do not consent to erythromycin eye ointment, the vitamin K shot, or any vaccinations given to our daughter when in the nursery because of religious exemption.
-- We will be breastfeeding and do not consent to the use of artificial nipples or supplements (including glucose solution and/or formula).
-- We do not consent to our daughter having a bath after birth.
My advice is if you don't have a good vibe from the beginning, find someone else. I dropped my first, even though it was farther I just didn't get a good vibe and went with the doc my doula recommended. You might find a good one asking a local doula as well. GL!
He sounds awesome!! I love finding good OB's now that I have to have a hospital birth. 
I believe it refers to the type of stitches - some doctors only do a single layer, which may have a higher chance of uterine rupture and less likely chance of a successful future VBAC.
If you have a copy of Ina May's Guide to Childbirth, I believe she briefly covers the issue in there.
Also, FarmerCathy.- thanks also for the Birth Plan. I like the in case of emergency part.
No problem. You know that is a good question.
The one thing I can think of is to ask what their policy for letting the cord pulse until its done and if they do the birth weight and stuff in the room. I'm sure there others I'm not thinking of. Oh, and if they allow you to take your placenta home if that is something you want to do.
I did find out from another mom at playgroup today that most of the nurses at the hospital I'm delivering at heavily frown upon co-sleeping and like to keep the baby in the bassinet. I didn't put my DD in the bassinet last time at all unless she was going to the nursery. Anyone else experience nurses with co-sleeping issues? Last time, as long as someone was awake it was fine, but that was a different hospital in a different state.
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