Hospital tours

schef070911

If you're delivering in a hospital, are you planning on taking a tour of the facility?  If so, when?

If you have already gone on your tour, what were your impressions?   

Also, STM+, feel free to share anything you wish you'd known to ask the first time around!

MWoodside

I did a tour before my first birth. I am glad I did. It helped me feel more comfortable there and I was able to ask a lot of questions. I didn't before my second birth and I probably won't this time. It's the same hospital.

I asked if they had tub rooms. Water is really essential for me to birth med-free and I had a hunch that might be the case so I knew to ask for one of those (there are only 2). I also asked about baby rooming in, which they were really supportive of. They didn't push the nursery at all. I asked about LC availability and how that normally works. That's all I can recall 7 years later.

super_sam03

I saved this email from 'The Bump' about the tour - https://www.thebump.com/a/maternity-ward-tour-questions  

I 2nd hearing from the STM's!! I'm clueless! 

We'll be having a full day child birth class tomorrow followed by a tour.  

HGRich

@super_sam03 just beat me to it, but I was about to share that same link I saved from the bump with those questions. I thought it was a nice list and got me thinking. I didn't know to ask whether DH could stay the night. My tour isn't until feb 11th. 

Magheeta

We did the hospital tour with DS, and since it was a new hospital at the time, everything was pretty modern (Level 3 NICU, baby stays in-room if you wish, LC's on staff, etc.) Our hospital did NOT have showers or tubs in any of the labor rooms, but that was okay because I ended up getting an epidural. 

I would ask (and I know this sounds silly) about their postpartum care. Do they provide ice packs for your hoo-ha after delivery? I vividly remember my OB telling me that I demand ice for my lady bits the first 24 hours after birth, so I made sure to ask for it asap. I don't know if it was because the hospital was new (I'm talking open for like a month at the time I delivered) or what, but they looked at me like I had two heads. I told the nurses that my OB insisted I have ice packs, so they decided the best alternative was a diaper with ice in it. That was probably the most "are you kidding me?" moment postpartum. 

Ask what kind of security measures they have in place to make sure parents and baby stay connected. DS had a little ankle monitor that would go off if he was taken near the elevators without someone who had a corresponding monitor. It helped make me feel safer knowing they really took precautions with newborns and their scatter-brained parents.  

One thing I disliked about the group tour was the number of "wise guys" in the group. These idiots making these dumb remarks about how they thought certain hospital policies were stupid and they weren't going to abide by them. Talk about making a 9 month pregnant lady rage. DH had to hold me back a few times because the dirty looks were about to turn into snarky comments. So prepare yourself for some morons, and ask your partners to refrain from any comedic performances, please.

Ask about their food policy. What time does their cafeteria close? I delivered at 5:40pm and the cafeteria closed at 6:00pm . By the time I was in recovery, I was STARVING and had to send DH out to sneak in food for me. (One of the hospitals rules were no outside food so you didn't make the other patients nauseous.) That was the best Chick-fil-a sandwich ever. Anyway, all that to say at least make sure to have some snacks on hand or see if they would make an exception so you can get a good meal!! 

That's all I can think of right now, but I'll jump back in if anything else comes to mind. 

MWoodside

@Magheeta, I'm shocked ice packs weren't standard!! That is so essential post-birth. Also the Dermoplast spray and a peri bottle were standard deliveries to every post-partum room where I gave birth. I used all they gave me and took a second set home to use until my body had healed up.

Omie_Wise

I did a tour at our hospital a couple of months ago and had a really negative emotional reaction to it, so I am really glad I did one! Afterwards I knew I wanted to sign up for a class there to have more experiences there pre-birth. Outside of my confusing feels, it was really helpful to learn about practical details like how to request a suite ahead of time, how to request a birthing tub if you are into that, how visitors work, where to call if you have questions after this tour, etc. If you have the time, I would say do it. 

mrsstuessy

We just went on sort of a tour. My midwife group that delivers at one specific hospital has an open house every other month. We decided to go to the one in January. It wasn't for me. I actually went on the tour back in August with one of my clients. And I have been to two births there with clients already in August and October. I wanted DH to know the lay of things though. Also, all the midwives are there. It is a group of 6 midwives and DH has only met 1 of them, so I wanted him to at least be a tiny bit familiar with the others. And, the open house was in one of the two rooms that are set up for a water birth. So, I wanted him to see the birthing tub and hear a little bit about that. He really didn't care about going, which was a whole thing, but I need him to be part of the team. So, he sucked it up and went. I still haven't actually seen the postpartum/recovery rooms which are on a different floor. But, I imagine they are all pretty much the same anyway. 

@Magheeta I love those diaper ice packs! That's what they recommended and used for me after DD1. I am also that person talking about which hospital policy I am not going to obey. But, I do try and whisper it to DH, so that makes me a little nicer, right? 

Honestly, I can't think of much else to ask about. I mostly just want to know where things are. I didn't ask anything on our tour before DD1 was born. The nurses tell you all again when you get there anyway. I guess if you arrived at like 9cm that might not work though. 

KirstinH88

I'm mostly taking the tour because 1) I'll be delivering at a new hospital and 2) I need to know how to get there. Like how to physically get to the delivery floor (fastest way possible). Otherwise, that's all I care about. I did take a tour when I was pregnant with DS (different hospital), but honestly, I don't remember anything about it. 

Taylor72

just a word of advice...don't wait until the night before your tour to search pinterest for "questions to ask at your hospital tour" it's more than slightly overwhelming 

bww_0331

We started a class last week and we're able to take a quick tour at the end. It was very helpful to see the rooms and we got a list of what was provided for moms and babies. So helpful!

dam0ne4

I didn't bother with a tour or classes and don't regret it at all. I had a couple friends that delivered there so they gave me the scoop. I'm delivering at the same Hospital this time so I'm all set.

blessedinmt

I work at the hospital where I'll deliver and my daily work takes me through the maternity center.  Being so familiar with the hospital and the nurses is a great comfort and allows me to more easily visualize giving birth there. Still though, I wanted DH to tour with me. We did so as part of our first birth class last week. I didn't think of any questions because their normal spiel answered everything for me, but DH thought to ask about length of stay depending on method of delivery (typically 24 hours for vaginal and 72 hours for c-section, though you can opt to leave earlier) & if you have the option of staying an extra night (insurance limits this).

I realize that the details of what my hospital offers do not matter to someone delivering elsewhere but what I learned may help you to think of questions you'd like to ask on your tour. All maternity center rooms are LDRP - labor, delivery, recovery, and post- partum - which means, unless you have a c-section, you'll deliver in the same room that you stay in and the baby stays in the room with you. The baby never has to leave the room for cleaning or testing. Each room is private and has an attached private bathroom with stand-alone shower and a huge jetted tub. They don't allow water births, but mom (& dad) can labor in there until they receive an epidural. The room lights dim and they have LED candles for ambiance.  There's even speakers with an iPod attachment. The couch folds down into a bed for dad. Babies are fitted with a security ankle bracelet that initiates an Amber Alert if they are taken near the stairs or secure doors.  You're allowed to walk all over the center while laboring. Outside food is allowed.  They gift several items to their patients - Boppy, Halo sleep sack, local themed children's book, and a few other little things...good to ask about because now I removed the sleep sack from my registry as I only want one to try out...also I know not to bring my nursing pillow with me.  They don't limit visiting hours but will keep people away per the wishes of the patient. Whew! I know there's more I learned, but it's a lot to take in at once. 

Also,  it's been quite a while since I first read What to Expect When You're Expecting, but I recall a chapter or section on hospital tours.

Blueberry85

Lots of good tips/questions already brought up, but I wanted to add that you should make sure you know the protocol if you come in late/middle of the night. For example, with the hospital I delivered at, if you came in during the day, you would enter the hospital through the main entrance and then go right up to the maternity ward, but if you came in the middle of the night, you needed to enter the hospital through the ER, and they would sign you in and send you up.

cafedisco

#notreadyforanyofthis 

lovelongdog06

@KirstinH88 good idea to figure out where you're going! I entered the hospital as the screaming woman in hard end stage labor unhappily propped in a wheelchair...and we could not figure out where L&D was. It was named something stupid or cutesy so we passed it. ER just waved us in like "go on, take her away from here" lol

I'm not planning a hospital birth, but I'm on the fence about doing a tour in case this baby ends up breech and I end up with another c section. I'm not sure if it would be more traumatic or helpful. It won't be the same hospital.

KirstinH88

@lovelongdog06 haha! Ya I didn't get to the hospital until I was 8 cm dilated, so please, just point me in the direction of a bed that I can push on!

SnarkasaurusRex

Blueberry85 said:

Lots of good tips/questions already brought up, but I wanted to add that you should make sure you know the protocol if you come in late/middle of the night. For example, with the hospital I delivered at, if you came in during the day, you would enter the hospital through the main entrance and then go right up to the maternity ward, but if you came in the middle of the night, you needed to enter the hospital through the ER, and they would sign you in and send you up.

This is what I was going to say, too! It'll save you the stress of trying to figure out where to do if you're in active labor in the middle of the night. 

Beckyf321

My husband is military so this will be the third hospital I've delivered in.  I did the tours before and plan to do it again.  One thing I love about my new hospital is that my kids get to come on the tour, too.  They show them where I'll stay, talk about some of the equipment, etc.  They will also meet with me separately for an hour long appointment to talk about my birth plan.

jennielynn+

We did the hospital tour with our 1st and I will be at a different hospital so, we will be doing another tour soon. I'm glad I did the tour but, it was terrifying and I had a prompt panic attack the moment we left. They will tell you at the hospital all the different laboring options they offer. Nope, when d-day came, I just listened to the 85 nurses and professionals they have in and out of your room.

They do not mention the sheer number of different staff they have available that are required to show up. Nurses for labor (you may meet a lot of them if you have a long labor), nurses for the actual delivery, nurses for the baby at time of delivery, hospital information lady needing releases signed, nurse for anesthesia (if having epi or spinal), the anesthesiologist, and the actual midwife/OB doing the delivery. After the baby, you will have a whole new set of strangers: SSA lady after the baby is born, photographer (we said "hell no"), hearing test, 1st bath nurse, check on lady parts nurse, cafeteria lady comes 6 times a times a day (3 times to get your order), OB may come to peek at lady parts, a pedi comes by for the newborn, lactation consultant comes by, cleaning people, and nurses come to check the newborn every few hours.

It was overwhelming for me because I had never been a patient in a hospital before. I'm not looking forward to it this time either but, its only a few days. 

belocin

These questions are great! Our tour for DD was with a large group and I found that helpful because (wise guys aside) other women asked questions I hadn't considered. We will be delivering at a different hospital this time and took our (impromptu) tour this past week. It was just DH & I with a volunteer and while I found I had fewer questions this time around, this thread has reminded me of a few things I forgot! I'll go back by afternoon my next appointment. 

A question I did not know to ask the first time and forgot to ask the second was about a photographer. We had looked into but had not arranged for newborn photos before DD arrived and while the photo package at the hospital was expensive, it was equivalent in cost to a session done by an outside photographer AND it included birth announcements. That last part sold me because to have that done and taken care of before leaving the hospital was one less thing to do at home. The photos also turned out really well and I love that we have those photos of DD so brand new. We are going with an outside photographer this time bc we want sibling photos but it's a good question to ask so you are at least prepared when they knock on your door. 

visualcircus

For our first, we took the tour of the hospital and I highly recommend it. DH only went there once before the delivery and it was nice to point out drop offs, where to park, where to check-in, what is provided, and after hours entrance. Security was great, but we weren't allowed to accompany DS down to the nursery for his checks or when he was getting circumcised due to the hospital's security protocol. I didn't care while in labor, but as a FTM it'd be nice to know there were a couple nurses/doctors constantly checking how dilated I was and all modesty went out the window.

Things we're doing different the second time around:
-Pack headache/medicine pack for whoever is helping you in case THEY don't feel good. Make sure whoever is helping you has a sweater, sweats, thick socks etc since the hospital is kept pretty cold.
-Ask tons of questions and make sure your helper advocates for you. The nurses and doctors were great, but unless it was asked they wouldn't do a step by step narration of what they were doing and why they were doing it.
-Ask for extra mesh panties and pads, diapers on the way out.

kitkat8387

Thanks so much for starting this thread! Our hospital tour is the first weekend of march, included with our childbirth class. I definitely wouldn't have thought of any of these questions, so I am going to start making a list!

ashleym112

I second asking about the cafeteria hours and where do you go if you go into labor in the middle of the night. I went in around 11pm, but I called ahead and they told me exactly where to go (through ER and then tell them I'm going to maternity). With food, we were allowed to bring some in (thankfully) but I've heard of some hospitals not allowing that. Learning the hours is good too bc I could order food for myself to be delivered to me, but they wouldn't let me order for DH so he would pick up something down there for himself. Usually I just ordered enough for two of us haha. Security policies for the baby is also a big one. 

I would also check on their visiting hours and if you're allowed to set your own. At the one we went to (which is where we'll be delivering this one), you were allowed to tell the nurses if you didn't want people there for certain times and they would follow it. We said no one before 12pm (especially the first night since DS was born at 3:25am). This gave DH and I time with the baby on our own but also time to sleep, eat, and freshen up before we were bombarded with relatives. I think our leave time was around 7pm. 

Magheeta

@mrsstuessy - it was literally a baby's diaper with ice from like a vending machine in it!! Not even an ice pack! Hopefully they've gotten their act together by now  

And yes, as long as you're quiet that's totally cool. I'm talking about the dudes saying stupid stuff because obviously the attention isn't on them at the moment and they can't handle it. 

The question about a photographer is a good one, too! I didn't think about that. 

aboxofchocolates

Anyone have recommendations about when to take the tour?  I'm worried about taking it too soon and forgetting or too late and not being prepared.  

mrsstuessy

@Magheeta Yep, that is what they used at my hospital. A NB sized diaper with ice in it. My nurse told me that they worked the best, because as the ice melts the diaper absorbs the water well. I even used a few once I got home. haha! 
ugh! I hate people that always need the attention on them. I totally get that. One of the biggest annoyances there are are those people. 

MWoodside

@aboxofchocolates I took it around 34 wks with #1.

shaunessa

no hospital tour here, because its my 2nd and we're going to the same hospital as last time.

I am however signing up DS for a sibling class.  I can't wait!  They have to bring in a bear/doll and I'm curious to see if he'll even participate and/or pay attention!

pammasu0909

@Magheeta I LOVE the diaper with ice.  It works SO well!

I haven't delivered in over 2 years, so I'm going to try to make another tour to see what changed.  I know they built a new ER, so directions to the maternity floor have changed.  They also used to have a room with chips,pretzels, soda, juice, etc that you could take what you wanted from.  A friend that delivered a few months ago said that was gone so I'll have to pack more snacks this time.

As for outside food, we literally had a pizza delivered to our room with DD

schef070911

We went on our tour yesterday - it was so quick! We had time to ask questions but I felt like every one I wrote down was answered sometime during the course of the tour.  This hospital has a triage unit where you go first, then a labor and delivery room, then a "mom and baby" room afterwards.  The rooms are really big and nice, and I was excited to see that all the L&D rooms have a HUGE tub for moms to labor (not deliver, they were quick to tell us) in.  

I thought I was going to freak out seeing everything, but I actually feel somewhat calmer knowing what everything will look like.  The only weird thing I picked up on was a little bit of "hey, you do you" with regards to med-free labor and delivery from the nurses doing the tour (however, DH didn't notice it, so maybe I'm just projecting - ha!) As a FTM who is still trying to sort out her birth plan, that made me a little nervous, but I could just be overthinking things.  

Magheeta

...but but....it felt so...weird...

WkoutMomtoBe

I did tour a few weeks ago. I would've regardless but we are movingb3 hrs away so I really have no clue (there are 2 hospitals).

We would've had no clue what to really ask but we are in a 10 week birth bootcamp class so it helped. We asked about epidural, Caesaran and episotimy rate/%. We asked if they are "mother and/or baby friendly hospital" (which is it each its own initiative and certification. It means they don't push interventions, push breastfeeding, baby stays in room to sleep and for testing, etc.). Turns out if you want to do unmedicated they have nurses that are more for that, etc. 

Let's just say they thought my hubby was a dr...lol. We found out that not only do they allow water labor but water births (and they have birth pools vs labor tubs). That was great to hear bc our city and much of our current state do not allow water birth (only water labor).

For those who are not doing a tour bc you had baby there before...you might consider it. My sister in law was pregnant 2 yrs later and hospital changed how they did things: no nursery, baby has to be in room, breastfeedong is pushed, etc(part of baby friendly initiative). That made her choose the other hospital that had nursery. On the plus, this hospital now offered level 2 nicu (& could deliver babies at 32 weeks or later).

Thanks everyone for your experiences...I have some new questions to ask (aka food after baby, cafeteria, padsicles, after care for moms lady parts after, etc).

super_sam03

We had our birthing class followed by a tour last Saturday.  The birthing class.... eye opening! I made my husband sit with me in the front row so we had an unobstructed view of all things delivery.  Let's just say I wasn't craving any deli sammiches after that one! 

The tour was good - the hospital is small but I kind of liked it.  It was definitely not overly busy and they had rooms in which you first go in, deliver in, nurse and stay post-partum.  But things go a littttttle differently for twins.  I would deliver in the c-section room/operating room, regardless of whether we were delivering vaginally or through c-section.  We also get 2 sets of doctors and 2 sets of nurses for each boy.  All I kept thinking about was the fact that if I deliver vaginally, I have a literal audience.  I'll hold up an applause sign whenever I need encouragement.  The hospital also has "quiet time" between 2 and 5 where no visitors can come.  I kind of like that - it's time where you can meet with the lactation consultant, bond with baby, do all that fun stuff and not have to worry about who didn't wash their hands or who stole my baby...  Their security measures were good to prevent that last thing I said.  

All in all, I'm confident in the hospital, their capabilities, and am happy that I did go on the tour.  

peachy0709

I did a tour a few weeks ago (early, yes, but apparently everyone else was in the same boat/timeline). I'm delivering at a different hospital this time and it's a very, very large hospital (L&D is the largest in the region) and I just needed it to ease my anxiety. I felt like most people didn't have any questions but I think it's really, really overwhelming the first time around. Be sure to ask about food options!! We have more options this time around but when I delivered DD, my husband had to go get most of our food. 

Dannylion24

Just got off the phone with the coordinator in charge of classes and tours at our hospital and she told me their tours were "sold out" till my due date ... ummmm, I just moved here over Christmas and literally called them the day my new OB gave me the pamphlet for the hospital last week (it took them a week+ and two more messages to call me back). I'm not really that worried - I have delivered at this hospital before - but considering it was with my first (8 years ago) babe and I've heard that the maternity wing went through a major reno I did want to at least check it out. I tend to have fast and furious deliveries (& painful - bring me the epidural stat!) so i just don't want any issues with parking and check in. Ugh. They are "emailing the director" to see if they can squeeze me in. Geee, thanks. 

KirstinH88

@Dannylion24 If they can't schedule you in for a tour, I would just casually pop in. hahahah!

NESeattlite

I would find out if they have a nursery and if so, how do people use it, and if not, what happens if you need the help (like recovering from surgery).  Also day and night-of driving/parking directions are useful.  

doozenberg

Thanks for all the helpful info guys. I never thought to ask about the security questions, but they are so important. My tour isn't until the end of February (they would only let you take the tour when you're past a certain stage).