For a future Sticky - Questions to ask about L&D

[turquoisequeen]

I started compiling this list of questions/topics that would be good to ask during the L&D tour or at a birth class, etc. Please reply with additional questions and then when we feel the list is pretty complete maybe someone who is board savvy can put them all into a sticky  


1. Parking for mom and spouse and visitor parking?
2. What to bring for the baby vs. what is provided?
3. Breastfeeding pillows available?
4. Can bring own cooler with food and drinks?
5. How many nurses per laboring mom?
6. Birthing aids available in each room? birth balls, etc.
7. What monitoring while laboring?
8. Can use shower or tub while laboring? When is this not an option?
9. Policy on food during labor?
10. Positions during pushing/delivery?
11. What takes place for the baby immediately after birth?
12. Support delayed cord clamping?
13. How long can we do skin to skin for?
14. Can delay first bath?
15. How long after labor do you transfer to recovery/postpartum room?
16. Does baby "room in" with mom?
17. Schedule for first 24 hours after birth?
18. Visitor policy for while in L&D and for when in postpartum room?
19. Discharge policy and process?
20. Process/options for car seat check?

[IFinTN]

Holy crap...it's getting real when you start asking these questions!!

[ProfessorChaos]

This is actually really helpful and well timed! I wasn't sure what you meant at first. We're touring our hospital on Sunday. I'll add a couple more:

1. Policies if the water breaks early in labor? When do I need to come into the hospital? Is there a deadline by which the baby must be delivered?
2. Do you support donating cord blood (either to public or private banks)? Can this happen in conjunction with *delayed* cord clamping?
3. Do you allow doulas?
4. How many people can be in the labor/delivery rooms, and do the doulas count in that number?
5. Do you allow any of the following: candles (usually not, but sometimes electric okay), dimmed lighting, aromatherapy (diffusers okay?)

I think I have more in books, but they're not with me at the moment. Will check later.

[bzeetyd]

I know a lot of people are hoping for (obviously) an uncomplicated and straightforward vag-style birth and many of these questions are the same things I asked.  I ended up, however, with an emergency c-section 3 hours into what I would call "barely labor" so most of what I packed in my head mentally, and in my labor bag physically and hoped for emotionally (snacks, activities, battery operated candles and aromatherapy for the bathtub, soothing music on an ipod) stayed in my labor bag, never to be touched.

I encourage you to be prudent and ask any questions about c-sections that you have, ask to see the OR, ask them to explain how things would happen and how a c-section typically rolls. It seems scary but if you can, ask what happens if your baby needs to be in the NICU, where that is in relation to an L&D room or what would happen if they had to transport you or your baby to another hospital.

BE SURE TO talk over the possibility of a c-section with your SO so that you both have an understanding of what would happen in that case and if your SO would stay with you or go with the baby while they finish with you.

If you can handle it emotionally now, and I KNOW it's hard, try to visit other scenarios (with good outcomes) so that you're informed ahead of time.

Best best best of luck to everyone here. The other side, when you get there, is amazing.

* My TB siggy shows 4 years of trying, 2 IUIs, 4 losses, 4 IVFs, 1 FET and a beautiful daughter.

[turquoisequeen]

very good points and questions bzeetyd we all know that things don't always go according to our own plans as much as we would love for them to

[ProfessorChaos]

bzeetyd - Good point! Do you have recommendations for questions or conversations to have about CSs? I don't know where to start!

[karabear4409]

SAIF response....

The only thing I can think of that hasn't already been covered is what is provided for your husband/partner? My hospital did not provide any food or drinks, but I have heard that some hospitals do.

bzeetyd gave some great advice. It is much easier to have the hard conversations now rather than in the middle of a c/s!

[karabear4409]

I also thought of one more. What kind of lactation services are offered?

[Deleted]

I'm going to try to go med free and I want to know how often the two hospitals I have to chose from see natural births and what kind of training the nursing staff has to support moms who are choosing that route.

[bzeetyd]

Feb 11, 2015 19:43:03 GMT -5 ProfessorChaos said:

bzeetyd - Good point! Do you have recommendations for questions or conversations to have about CSs? I don't know where to start!

Here are some thoughts:

What's the typical procedure if an unexpected need for a c-sections arises?
Could we see an OR room?
If I have a c-section, would I be separated from my SO? (for example my DH had to put on scrubs and wait while they got my spinal thing in, then he was allowed in - it was like 10-15min and not a big deal to me, but it helps to be prepared)
Who/what staff would be in the OR with me? (I couldn't believe how many people were there! I was thankful for each and every one!)
Can my SO have a camera with them? (The pics we have are AMAZING!)
Will my LO be taken somewhere while they stitch me up? (My DH followed our LO into the NICU and stayed with her)
Are there any common side effects from the c-section anesthesia/meds? (I was shaking SO badly on the table - almost like chills - and my hands cramped into useless little lobster claws)
How long does it usually take to recover from the c-section anesthesia/meds? (For me, it lasted a long time, I still couldn't stand after 5 hours. I needed to be able to stand to get into a wheelchair to get to the NICU to see her and BF her - so we wound up having DH give her donated BM - so I touched her immediately after the c-section but then I didn't see her for 6+ hours. But I was a little out of it, so at the time, it was OK.)
What kind of meds will be used to manage any post-op pain?
How long is a typical stay with a c-section?
How would a c-section affect my recovery? (I wasn't allowed to drive for 2 weeks, nor pick up her car seat for that time - getting to appointments required my DH to accompany us)

Are there any visitor restrictions? (sometimes during flu season or an outbreak there are extra precautions)

Where is your NICU (and/or nursery)?
Can we see it?
What security measures are in place?
How many people can visit a baby in the NICU at once? (we could have a parent and 2 others at a time)

What would happen if my baby or I needed to be transported to another hospital?

*Our NICU stay was only 48 hours, and was preventative
--------
Our OB talked about a c-section lightly in her office before we ever thought we'd need one and said that it all happens very very quickly and that can be frightening for a new mom, but that the speed should not be thought of as panic from the staff or any indication of something going wrong. This was massively helpful. It was SO fast. She was out SO quickly. The stitching up afterwards took forever in comparison and was lonely as my LO and DH were gone. I held a nurse's hand for a long time on that table.

DH and I had discussed a c-section scenario lightly and he knew to go with our LO. It was hard for him to separate from me, but he was SUCH a good dad immediately. He changed her first and fed her first and held her first (she was placed on my chest first, briefly, but my shaking lobster claws were useless). It was a trial by fire.

Our house wasn't set up for a c-section recovery (no stairs) so we had to scramble a bit that first night home, but we worked it out.

I wasn't scared of a/the c-section and I think that was a big blessing. Most importantly is that your baby arrives as safely as possible.

I hope that helps.

[turquoisequeen]

Alrighty, seems like we've gotten a good bit of questions so I'll put them all in chronological order as best as I can here. Could someone tell me how to put them in a sticky or put them in a sticky for me?


1. Policies if the water breaks early in labor? When do I need to come into the hospital? Is there a deadline by which the baby must be delivered?
2. Parking for mom and spouse and visitor parking?
3. What to bring for the baby vs. what is provided?
4. Breastfeeding pillows available?
5. What kind of lactation services are offered?
6. Can bring own cooler with food and drinks?
7. What is provided for your husband/partner?
8. Do you allow any of the following: candles (usually not, but sometimes electric okay), dimmed lighting, aromatherapy (diffusers okay?)
9. Do you allow doulas?
10. How many nurses per laboring mom?
11. How many people can be in the labor/delivery rooms, and do the doulas count in that number?
12. Birthing aids available in each room? birth balls, etc.
13. What monitoring while laboring?
14. Can use shower or tub while laboring? When is this not an option?
15. Policy on food during labor?
16. How often do you see med-free births and what kind of training the nursing staff has to support moms who are choosing that route?
17. Positions during pushing/delivery?
18. What's the typical procedure if an unexpected need for a c-sections arises?
19. Could we see an OR room?
20. If I have a c-section, would I be separated from my SO?
21. Who/what staff would be in the OR with me?
22. Can my SO have a camera with them in the OR?
23. Will my LO be taken somewhere while they stitch me up?
24. Are there any common side effects from the c-section anesthesia/meds?
25. How long does it usually take to recover from the c-section anesthesia/meds?
26. What kind of meds will be used to manage any post-op pain?
27. What takes place for the baby immediately after birth?
28. Support delayed cord clamping?
29. Do you support donating cord blood (either to public or private banks)? Can this happen in conjunction with *delayed* cord clamping?
30. How long can we do skin to skin for?
31. Can delay first bath?
32. How long after labor do you transfer to recovery/postpartum room?
33. Does baby "room in" with mom?
34. Where is your NICU (and/or nursery)? Can we see it? 
35. How many people can visit a baby in the NICU at once? (we could have a parent and 2 others at a time)
36. What security measures are in place?
37. Schedule for first 24 hours after birth?
38. Visitor policy for while in L&D and for when in postpartum room?
39. Are there any visitor restrictions? (sometimes during flu season or an outbreak there are extra precautions)
40. What would happen if my baby or I needed to be transported to another hospital?
41. Discharge policy and process?
42. How long is a typical stay with a c-section?
43. Process/options for car seat check?
44. How would a c-section affect my recovery?
45. What signs/symptoms during recovery do I need to watch out for as concerning with vaginal birth? C-section?

[IFinTN]

Can you start a whole new thread with these? I can then sticky it at the top. turquoisequeen

[ProfessorChaos]

A few more I would add based on what emerged when we toured our L&D:
-Are there any times or scenarios in which my partner (and other guests) would have to be separated from me?

-Is preregistration possible? How do I do it?

-What are your policies for laboring women and IVs?

-What do you provide for mom and baby postpartum to take home?

Also edit #22 above to ask if both pictures and videos are allowed.

[hearthands]

*Just a quick FYI- it will not be possible to see any OR on a public tour. It is considered a sterile procedure area (Hat/Shoe covers/Scrub suit/Masks needed to enter). I will try to post a video or two of a typical OR here as time goes by.

This is a great video of a family friendly c-section from the UK (some US hospitals are providing them but most are not):
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5RIcaK98Yg

*Note the sterile drapes, where the Anesthesiologist sits (by your head), Partner is stationed by your shoulder, surgical team is behind drape near Mama's belly. Note that no one is wearing masks, etc. during the early part of the video. This would be a no-go in the U.S.

I'm always happy to answer questions about procedures during a c-section.

[sunshinedaisies]

I think most of these were answered on my tour of my hospital. It's a really good list. I would highly recommend touring the facility(s) you are considering. I was so concerned about skin to skin and learned it's now standard at my hospital (and if mom has a C-section, dad can do it too).

A few others I asked about (DH took notes, so I know there are others):

- What is the process for getting the birth certificate?
- When is circumcision done and can parent(s) be there for it? (if boy and considering this)

[julie216]

Great list! I might add, for STM, their policy on a vbac. Would you be laboring in an OR? Thanks for doing this turquoisequeen,

[turquoisequeen]

Thanks all! I added/edited the list and posted it as a new thread. IFinTN, work your sticky magic!