Hospital/Birth Center Tour Questions

[teachermomtobe]

I think most of us have tours and/or childbirth classes coming up or are already underway. What questions do you plan to ask? STM+ what questions did you ask or wish you asked?

[sdlaura]

I feel like they pretty much covered everything at our tours (I have delivered at two different hospitals). Then again, I also spent one hour in the hospital before having DD and 45 min there before having DS, so it's not like I really took advantage of any labor stuff since I labored at home. I mostly found the tours useful for just the logistics of knowing where to park, which entrance to use at different hours of the day or night, etc., and being able to visualize where I would be giving birth and recovering.

[mreve]

Apr 4, 2017 21:56:22 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

I feel like they pretty much covered everything at our tours (I have delivered at two different hospitals). Then again, I also spent one hour in the hospital before having DD and 45 min there before having DS, so it's not like I really took advantage of any labor stuff since I labored at home. I mostly found the tours useful for just the logistics of knowing where to park, which entrance to use at different hours of the day or night, etc., and being able to visualize where I would be giving birth and recovering.

+1 to this. I get stressed about logistics, especially in new situations, so that was by far the most valuable part of our hospital class for me. I also laboured at home, but appreciated knowing what the specific hospital policies were regarding procedures and interventions during labour/delivery and postpartum.

[bewise]

We lucked out and had a really great childbirth class instructor (who also lead the hospital tour). I don't think I asked anything....she just covered it all!

That wasn't helpful to you at all. But I hope you have a great experience too. With as often as they probably do these classes/tours, the instructors probably have a good idea of common questions and just answer them before they come up!

[teachermomtobe]

Apr 4, 2017 23:02:18 GMT -5 mreve said:

Apr 4, 2017 21:56:22 GMT -5 sdlaura said:

I feel like they pretty much covered everything at our tours (I have delivered at two different hospitals). Then again, I also spent one hour in the hospital before having DD and 45 min there before having DS, so it's not like I really took advantage of any labor stuff since I labored at home. I mostly found the tours useful for just the logistics of knowing where to park, which entrance to use at different hours of the day or night, etc., and being able to visualize where I would be giving birth and recovering.

+1 to this. I get stressed about logistics, especially in new situations, so that was by far the most valuable part of our hospital class for me. I also laboured at home, but appreciated knowing what the specific hospital policies were regarding procedures and interventions during labour/delivery and postpartum.

As a person who reads restaurant menus before we go (not because I'm picky but just like to know) I definitely will appreciate the logistics and visualization piece!

[cateyes]

We asked:

-logistics of getting admit/any pre-check in options
-all in one room or would we have to move
-do they do delayed cord clamping
-do they do delayed vitals and allow a couple hours of bonding/feeding first
-episiotomy rate
-will they honor our wishes of no IV, vag checks, or meds
-do they do family friendly c-sections if a c-section is needed
-visiting hours
-how long is the stay
-what is needed to be "checked off" prior to discharge
-who is in the room during labor and delivery (we don't want students and extras)
-are they fully rooming in or do they take baby at any point for procedures/checks


I think this is it, but will look at our list later

[teachermomtobe]

Thanks cateyes!

[sdlaura]

cateyes that is a good list, but I addressed most of those questions in my birth preferences. As in, I didn't ask them whether they did delayed cord clamping or allowed time for bonding, I just said in my preferences that that's what we were going to do. I figure my insurance company is paying them tens of thousands of dollars, and I am the customer, so I just told the nurses and doctors through my birth preferences that I would be doing those things

[honda13]

I strongly encourage looking to see if your hospital offers the class Boot camp for new dad's. MH went as a "rookie" and came home so excited to share the things he learned. He liked it so much he went back as a "veteran". He still talks about that class. Highly recommend​!

[honda13]

Also, we asked about the lactation consultant availability. At our hospital if the lc is there Monday-friday 9-5. So if you have a weekend baby you probably won't see her.

[brandiewine11]

Some things I would want to know if not covered (for both L&D and PP if different rooms):

1. Do you have a mini fridge in your room?
2. Are there snacks available for you or should you plan to bring your own?
3. Visitor policy - kids, etc
4. Baby security policy
5. Breastfeeding support - is there an LC and when are they available?
6. Are all the labor rooms the same? (our hospital had one with a large jacuzzi tub for example, but everything else just had a shower/regular tub.)

I would stick with mostly logistical questions and ask your actual doctor all the medical and procedural questions.

[bewise]

Wow, all the stuff brought up so far was just routinely covered in information provided by my doctor, childbirth classes at my hospital, and/or the tour.

I didn't realize that stuff wasn't just routinely discussed. This makes me love my doctors/hospital even more.

[teachermomtobe]

bewise, I haven't had my class or tour yet so I don't know what will be covered or not. I like to be prepared with questions in case they aren't covered.

[ihatepizza]

bewise ours too, and we brought home a huge book with more questions/ answers