[amyhulen]

<p>We just attened our prebirth hospital tour and I am so glad we did. This is our third child and for the first time I feel like I REALLY get to plan this stuff. I quickly wrote up my birth plan this morning expecting that I would be playing 50 questions but that wasn't the case at all. We had a fantastic tour guide and found out that pretty much everything I desired in my birth experience was not only going to not be a problem but would be welcomed.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Turns out I don't have to push to get immediate kangaroo contact with our baby, I don't have to fight for a drug free labor, I get to use the birthing tub all I want, I can deliver in ANY posistion I like, I can delay vaccinations, I don't have to deal with constant monitoring. The best part is that each mother gets 1 on 1 nursing care so I will have 1 nurse dedicated to my labor the entire time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Woo Hoo for progessive hospitals. I have a history of premature labor and delivery so I didn't have the option of using a midwife and I was really stressing about being man handled at the hospital. Ahhh... Now I can relax.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So who else has done a tour of the Hospital or birthing center and what do you think?</p>

 

[myk]

<p>not yet, but i really hope i can get my act together and arrange this soon. since we're scheduling a c/s i'd like my husband to come and tour everything, go near the OR to see where i'm going to be, etc.</p>

 

[SumnerRain]

<p>Our appointment is Tuesday night... I drug my feet on it and it took two weeks to get in.  I am glad you mentioned bringing your birth plan, I got mine OKed by my midwife, but I never thought of asking the hospital too.  I really hope it helps ease some of my apprehension and fears since it was never in my plan.  I also need to find out what the rule is about leaving before 24h, which may require an appointment with the nurse manager. </p>

 

[soccerchic21]

<p>I see that you are in Everett. May I ask where you are delivering? We are going to GH Capital Hill. I transferred care in my third trimester from Valley because my DH's insurance changed to GH. We haven't done a tour. Party because we have been busy and this is our third and I know they really support natural childbirth. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, now I am thinking it might be a good idea to just know where things are? </p>

 

[monica82]

<p>We have one scheduled for Dec 28th...so if she comes early we'll be out of luck. Hubby wanted just us to go so we'll have family in town to watch DS then.  I've heard great things about the hospital we're going to. And the 2 midwives I've seen say it's pretty much up to them on how the labor goes. So I will have to be monitored every so often, but not constantly-unless there r drugs involved. This is a diff hospital than last time since we're states away. So I'm a bit nervous b/c last time it went great-or what was great to me at the time.  I guess I should/could ask if they support what I'm planning...if we don't go into labor before that. I'm going at 37 weeks.</p>

 

[thebigfam]

<p>Big Daddy and I have 2 local hospitals so when we had to have a hospital birth we toured them both.  One was HORRIBLE!!!!!  I wouldn't step foot in that place to deliver a baby.  The second place was so much better!  I have my family doctor delivering and the hospital just goes by what the doc tells them and I have been pretty happy with my dr so far.  I have a doula so that will help too.  Oh and because my Dr is also the baby dr and she knows we don't vaccinate so no problems there either. </p>

 

[closedaccount15]

<p>I have not, my hospital is 50 minutes away and they don't allow children to come with you. They have a tour for children, but it's at a different time, so it makes no sense to me, and I don't want to hire a babysitter. I already made a trip to L&D though, so I think that counts ; ) The midwife group I belong has a pre-made birth plan if I want, and it asks about delay cord clamping, and delayed baths, so I think they are used to those kind of requests. Also there is no nursery - they have a NICU unit, but the baby rooms in, so that was the big reason I picked the hospital.</p>

 

[amyhulen]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>soccerchic21</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16112809"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I see that you are in Everett. May I ask where you are delivering? We are going to GH Capital Hill. I transferred care in my third trimester from Valley because my DH's insurance changed to GH. We haven't done a tour. Party because we have been busy and this is our third and I know they really support natural childbirth. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>However, now I am thinking it might be a good idea to just know where things are? </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
We are delivering at Swedish First hill this time around. DD1 was born there at 30 weeks, DD2 was born at UW. I like both hospitals. LIke you this our 3rd so I pretty much feel like I know the ropes granted we will be having 3 very different birth experiences. 1 holy crap we can't stop this labor baby, 1 planned c-section due to breech position(after alot of preterm labor scares) and now we are hoping to go full term or close to it and all natural without any interventions. I love the doctors at the Perinatology clinic @ swedish. I'm currently at 34 weeks and keeping my fingers that the contractions don't any more frequent or intense in the next 2 weeks.<br>
 </p>

 

[soccerchic21]

<p>Quote:</p>
<div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>amyhulen</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16114591"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br>
Quote:<br><div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">I love the doctors at the Perinatology clinic @ swedish. I'm currently at 34 weeks and keeping my fingers that the contractions don't any more frequent or intense in the next 2 weeks.</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>I saw Dr. Harding at the beginning of this pregnancy to go over my medication. He also assisted in my cesarean at my last birth. I love him! When I was risked out last time I was transferred to Swedish and I had a real nice experience there. The nurses I had were amazing and very supportive. The only Dr I didn't care for was the OB on duty. She offered me a cesarean when I walked in because my son was measuring large. I didn't see her name on the list of OBs so I don't think she is there anymore. </p>

 

[amyhulen]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>soccerchic21</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16114682"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Quote:</p>
<div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>amyhulen</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16114591"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br>
Quote:<br><div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">I love the doctors at the Perinatology clinic @ swedish. I'm currently at 34 weeks and keeping my fingers that the contractions don't any more frequent or intense in the next 2 weeks.</div>
</div>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>I saw Dr. Harding at the beginning of this pregnancy to go over my medication. He also assisted in my cesarean at my last birth. I love him! When I was risked out last time I was transferred to Swedish and I had a real nice experience there. The nurses I had were amazing and very supportive. The only Dr I didn't care for was the OB on duty. She offered me a cesarean when I walked in because my son was measuring large. I didn't see her name on the list of OBs so I don't think she is there anymore. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Small world. Dr Harding delivered my first daughter 14 years ago and he placed my cerclage for this pregnancy. I'm hoping he or one of my other doctors is on duty when I go into labor. There is nothing worse than finding yourself stuck with a doctor you don't jive well with.<br>
 </p>

 

[baglady]

<p>I did.  I like to have a certain familiarity before hand.  It kind of made me sad because I think I may have had a different result if I had delivered at this hospital last time.  It's a hospital specifically for labor and delivery.  The environment seems a lot more conducive to all types of birth being accepted.  For example, they have nurses take training classes on natural birth support from local doulas. </p>

 

[SumnerRain]

<p>We took the tour tonight.  Made me feel a lot better and I hope it will help me visualize the perfect birth.</p>

 

[greenmulberry]

<p>I am a bit irritated about this.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>My OB tells me to call Labor and Delivery when I want to have a tour to see if it is convenient. Since DH picks me up from work every day, and I work on the sample campus as the hospital, I have been calling at the end of the day to see if they can give me the tour. Every day there is some excuse, there was an emergency delivery and no nurses are free, all the rooms are full, ect ect. Finally the nurse tells me to have my OB call up at my next appt to see if I can have a tour then. But I want DH to come and he doesn't come to my appointments!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sigh, I realize this is a minor issue, but for some reason it is really irritating me. I am going to call again on Friday and if the nurse still says they cannot do it, I guess I will call on the weekend.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am just getting this vibe that the nurse who keep answering (always the same person) just doesn't want to 'deal' with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am due 1/30 so I suppose I still have a little time.</p>

 

[soccerchic21]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>greenmulberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16118004"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am just getting this vibe that the nurse who keep answering (always the same person) just doesn't want to 'deal' with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am due 1/30 so I suppose I still have a little time.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
It might not be a bad idea to tell them how many times you have called and been told no. </p>

 

[greenmulberry]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>soccerchic21</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16118138"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>greenmulberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16118004"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am just getting this vibe that the nurse who keep answering (always the same person) just doesn't want to 'deal' with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am due 1/30 so I suppose I still have a little time.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
It might not be a bad idea to tell them how many times you have called and been told no. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
That's a good idea. I will do that tomorrow. Today we are having a big snow event and I want to skip out early. I might also call my OB and let him know what trouble they are giving me.</p>

 

[dooney]

<p>Our appointment is the 20th. It's a super big hospital so it took forever to get a tour/pre-registry appointment when my husband could come. He only gets a few days off per month and most are on the weekends. We are due on the 12th but my 2nd was 2 weeks early. I hope we make it to the appointment!</p>

 

[venusthrow]

<p>nope I haven't but I have already delivered at this hospital before (with ydd) although I probably should. The hospital has been under construction since before ydd was born (2 years) who knows if l&d is in the same place. I just remember that it felt like miles from the entrance to l&d</p>

 

[MaddieMay]

<p>Not yet.  It's the same hospital I delivered my first, but since this time will be a VBAC I am planning on setting up a time to see the labor rooms.  I hear they are awesome!</p>

 

[soccerchic21]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>greenmulberry</strong> <a href="/community/forum/thread/1285187/those-planning-a-hospital-birth-have-you-done-a-tour#post_16118532"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p><br>
That's a good idea. I will do that tomorrow. Today we are having a big snow event and I want to skip out early. I might also call my OB and let him know what trouble they are giving me.</p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br><p>THAT will probably get you in right away. </p>

 

[greenmulberry]

<p>Well I just got back from my tour.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was pretty awesome! The Jaccuzi tubs are huge, big and deep. At least two people could sit in them with water up to the armpits and still have plenty of room.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>They are also lovely spacious rooms with a killer view, not sure how much I will care about the view though, but they were very comfortable looking. She siad they had "balls, bars, and all the laboring accessories I could want" although I didn't get into specifics.</p>