Hospital tour

[EvolvingMama]

I had a prenatal appointment today and then went over to the birth center at the hospital for a tour. I scheduled it with the nurses there the other day, and I highly recommend it for those of you planning a hospital birth! I met one of the lactation consultants and some of the nurses, and they were really welcoming. I felt that we made a connection as women. I was also able to scope out the rooms, ask questions that will help me formulate my birth plan, and figure out what the place is like so I can share it with my parents and son and friend who will be with me.

I got way more information about specifics than I have from my doctor, who is great but doesn't spend much time with me (of course).

Anyway, just wanted to suggest this as a way to build relationships with your "team" ahead of time!

I just LOVE nurses....

[hapahaolegirl]

I have a midwife this time around but with DD the nurses were fantastic. They made my birthing experience wonderful and they made me feel so relaxed.

[Island_Mama]

A hospital tour is defiently a must. It also helps to pre-register.
I didn't get a TON of information since they said it would be different with me since I had a midwife, but we did get to see the rooms, and how they usually function. their nursery freaked me out, it was so bright and, disconnected. I hope I'll be able to keep my baby the whole time.
We also know where to go to come in after hours, where to park, get a parking pass etc.

[nudnik]

At the hospital tour with my first, the nurse giving the tour mentioned casually that she had had all her 3 kids at home. I should have taken the hint!

[karen1968]

Both DH and I get nervous in new situations, so the hospital tour was a MUST for us. We did it as part of the parent education series, though, so we didn't get to meet any of the nurses Still, it was helpful for us to learn where to park, where to enter after hours, what the rooms were like, and some of the policies.

Since then, we've been to L&D twice for observation (pre-e), and that was even BETTER for putting our minds at ease...kind of like a trial run

At "our" hospital, even with a midwife, the nurses are very involved, so it's good to make friends with them. They can make or break your delivery, IMO.

[Island_Mama]

Originally Posted by nudnik

At the hospital tour with my first, the nurse giving the tour mentioned casually that she had had all her 3 kids at home. I should have taken the hint!

Seriously, I shouldn't laugh, because it is really sad when their own nurses don't want to birth there!

Did you have a bad birth experience there youself?

[nudnik]

Not a horrible outcome, like all too many I read afterwards, but there were a few traumas, and overall I think it would have gone smoother (and faster!) at home. Even just the small things that bothered me left me with what I'd consider minor PTSD until I hired the homebirth midwife for this time around!