Hospital/Birthing Center Questions

kiki75

I think we've had a couple posts in the questions thread about what questions they should ask during a hospital tour. I thought it would be good to consolidate.

ashleyf911

Okay feel free to laugh, but this is really important... to me, anyway.

What is the food situation? i.e. - for me (c-section), how soon afterwards can I eat? Is it room service or do I have to go get the food? Can my husband also eat? What are the options?

We have 2 hospitals in my city and no joke, everything about them is just about the same other than food. At one, it's like a buffet type situation - they have a set menu for each meal, so you eat whatever they're serving or that's it, pretty much. And you have to walk your sore ass down the hallway and go make your own plate. Husbands can eat but they have to pay. It wasn't 24 hours, there were set meal times.  The other hospital had a legit menu and you just called down and they would bring it up to you - 24 hours a day. You could order as much and as many things as you wanted. Husbands could eat whatever too and it was included. And they brought around milk and fresh baked cookies to your room every afternoon.

It sounds super silly, but when you're there for 4 days after a c-section (or even 2 or 3 days, whatever it is for vaginal), you don't want to be eating shitty food every meal.

kiki75

Visitors policy is always good either if you want everyone in there or are hoping they can help you with crowd control.

To me, it helps if I'm prepared for as many eventualities as possible. So if I were to end up with an emergency c-section, I at least go into it with some knowledge. For me, one thing I plan to ask is if they do gentle c-sections and under what circumstances. Depending on how everything goes down, some hospitals will allow you to have a clear drape and can facilitate immediate skin to skin for you and baby. You might also want to know how many people can be in the OR for a c-section. I think it's typically just you +1 but you'll want to be prepared in case it comes up.

Ask about first hour policies and procedures. For example, mine tries to honor the first hour as much as possible and discourages visitors and unless there's an obvious need for it, they won't do tests or anything on the baby during that time. If they don't have that policy and you want that, then you know to ask for it when the time comes. 

I'd ask about security measures. A lot of them have the doors locked and you have to get buzzed in and they basically put a proximity alarm on the baby so if anyone tries to leave with it, the alarm will go off. 

ShawnnaO

Copy/pasted from questions thread: 

1.) what’s their policy on food/drink post labor? Like can you have hubs bring you mcdonalds and coke right after delivery or do they have a no outside food policy?

2.) what options do they have for coping with the pain during labor? Yoga ball? Tub? 

3.) will they require you stay in one place during labor or can you get up and move? Walk the halls, pace your room, etc. 

4.) post delivery visitor policy? What if you don’t want visitors and someone shows up anyway? Will a nurse send them away for you?

kalawa

I would definitely ask about security. In my hometown a baby was stolen, so they finally put in the wristlet/anklet security system. I also asked about when I could shower. I got to shower after delivery and it was heavenly. 

lms3195

My husband was only allowed one free meal so I just got extra sides when I ordered my meals.  I also delivered in the middle of the night so my nurse told me to order a sandwich before the cafeteria closed and they kept it for me on the floor.  Otherwise it would have been vending machine food. 

day38

Also copy/paste from questions thread:

1) Do they have a "quiet hours" policy? My hospital had a set time frame where nurses/Drs/visitors (except close family if you opted for it) weren't allowed into the rooms so you'd have a chance to get an uninterrupted nap/rest. Obviously, if you needed help the hospital staff would come - just for routine rounds they wouldn't.

2) What's their procedure for after hours admission?

3) Food/drink policy during labor - every hospital is different.

4) Hours the cafeteria is open.

5) Do they have a bed for your husband in the postpartum room?

kiki75

I love the theme that is emerging. 



I haven't been on a tour recently but I do remember that they do a sweet congrats meal that's better than the usual you can order off the menu and they bring sparkling cider, too. But I also have my heart set on someone bringing me a double toasted bagel with lox and cream cheese. Plus, if for some reason we can't get food, I have the closest 24 hour taco joint scoped out. And no one wants to have to deal with a hangry H any time. Much less while in labor/immediately postpartum. 

bettyvonsomethingstein

I never ate the hospital food.  I took the juice and passed on the rest.  Anyone who came to visit had to bring yummy food

Gingermom15

I delivered my son at the hospital where I work. I skipped the meals and had DH get me food, ordered out and our guests brought us food. Bonus about having a thanksgiving baby. All the food and no traveling to visit 
for this one I am pretty excited about the mini food court deal they have going on. I’m delivering at a different hospital and they have an amazing food selection. Major selling point. I’ll be having a cs and the general post op rules apply: no food or drink after midnight, clears once bowel sounds are confirmed and then progressed as tolerated. I don’t depend on having an appetite immediately after due to likelihood of nausea and the pain. But once I’m over that bump feed me all the food

ashleyf911

@Gingermom15 I was the same way after my section. Felt like crap for a few hours because of all the meds, but then it went from not hungry at all to FEED ME EVERYTHING. I ate an embarrassing amount of food, especially that first day, haha.

Gingermom15

ashleyf911 said:

@Gingermom15 I was the same way after my section. Felt like crap for a few hours because of all the meds, but then it went from not hungry at all to FEED ME EVERYTHING. I ate an embarrassing amount of food, especially that first day, haha.

The general anesthesia and morphine I was given made me feel like death, but let me sing all the praises for in the world for Zofran and Dilauded, aka angel juice. I was good to go once the pain and nausea was under control and all they would give me was popsicles because of awful I had felt   Hindsight is 20/20 and they did the right thing, but I really needed some steak. I’m not ashamed of how many chicken wings I ate once I was allowed. Probably at least 15 boneless 

SoFlaMommie1128

@Gingermom15 reading your post and you mentioned Dilaudid... after my emergency c-section with my son, they gave that to me and it made me so incredibly sick - it was a nightmare. Just thinking about the pain coming from the c-section cut every time l would vomit...brings back horrible thoughts!! Glad it worked well for you. I’ll have to only take ibuprofen post-surgery if l have another section this time around. 

fatstagnation

I love that we're most concerned about food. I'm vegetarian and everyone I've met in this town since I moved here isn't quite "what's that?" but clearly I'm the first one they've met. I'm very worried about the response I'll get from the hospital staff. I will ask about it when I tour, but I'm pretty sure people will have to bring me protein at least. 

The good news is the local hospital has recently opened a gorgeous women's health center with birthing suites that have tubs and showers and are totally private. 

orbmaker

Just food for thought, and I say this with ZERO personal experience (so feel free to ignore me): my prenatal yoga teacher suggested eating simple foods that are easy to digest (like broths etc) after birth, saying that your body is investing so much energy in trying to get the breast milk going that you’ll end up handicapping yourself if you make it spend on digesting a heavy meal like a burger or pizza. Intuitively this made sense to me, kinda like just focusing on supportive nutrition when you’re sick (so you have reserves to mount an attack on the responsible organism). 

GG620

@orbmaker this never crossed my mind, but also totally makes sense to me. Thanks for sharing

kalawa

@orbmaker At the hospital I deliver at, they have the breastfeeding menu. It's simple, easy to digest foods, but are filling for mom. 

Gingermom15

@SoFlaMommie1128 did they try anything else for pain? Everyone reacts different to pain meds, mane morphine would have been a good choice for you. There are also other options. If you need more than ibuprofen then try to take a small dose of something, stay ahead of the pain. 

Mass-girl-at-heart

@orbmaker makes sense but I have to tell you, nothing has ever tasted better than the Sonic my H brought me after delivering my second...

ashleyf911

@Mass-girl-at-heart Same except it was Chinese food, hahaha. I was more worried about getting enough calories in to get my strength back up and help my milk supply than I necessarily was about what foods I was eating.  

Mass-girl-at-heart

@ashleyf911 I’m a big fan of doing what’s best for you but honestly I never even thought of a hospital not allowing outside food. I will be asking for sure!  No Sonic near me this time though 

ShawnnaO

This thread is making me hungry. 

Gingermom15

@orbmaker this sounds good in theory, but when that PP appetite say you need fried cheese you just gotta have it 
I did eat healthy after the first couple meals lol

ShawnnaO

Also, have a backup plan for if you deliver at an odd time. I delivered at 3am so the best they could do for me was vending machine food. So scope out places in your area that are 24/7, and have those in mind, or try to have something in your hospital bag that will hold you over after you give birth if you’re hungry. 

ETA: and if you’re breastfeeding, plan to always be hungry. Baby will more than likely clusterfeed and it’ll make you very thirsty and very hungry. Even on top of eating the hospital food, T still had to run and grab me food a few times because I was just always hungry. I recommend ordering as many sides/snacks as you can with your meals from the hospital. Also ask if you have to pay for those meals. My hospital doesn’t charge for the food unless you get it from a vending machine, and the food was surprisingly good. There we’re also vegetarian options at every meal that still provided a good amount of protein. 

notthefather

@orbmaker I guess I see where she's going but if I wasn't able to eat for 24+ hours while in labor I wouldn't respond well to someone who only offered me broth for my first meal afterwards 

fatstagnation

@ShawnnaO Thanks for those tips! 

ShawnnaO

@notthefather same. Give me allll the cheese burgers and Chinese food. 

notthefather

I second @ShawnnaO on being hungry. I was never overly hungry when pregnant last time and haven't been so far this time either but I was ravenously hungry while breastfeeding, especially in the beginning. I have never felt that kind of bottomless hunger before. 

DDRRT1982

1.  I would ask about access to lactation consultants.  Also, access after discharge.

2.  Birth photography?  With two of my kids they allowed it, but then all of the sudden they changed policy with my last and did not allow photography.

3.  Ask about NICU.  Even term babies need help transitioning at times.

4.  Access to anethesia.  Do they have to call someone in or are they available 24 hrs.

5.  Procedure for first hour after birth.  Skin to skin or testing.

npkat

I saw on another board to make sure you ask what they provide at the hospital as far as diapers, nipple cream, breast pads, etc. so you know what to pack in your hospital bag.

LaurenAnn0405

I love how this thread has turned into another food thread

When I delivered my second they told me no food after midnight the night before (it was a planned induction) and then I went in at 6AM, they started my meds at 8 (I was GBS+ so I needed 4 hours of antibiotics before they started the Pitocin), Pitocin at noon and I didn't give birth until a little after 3.  I was SO HUNGRY it wasn't even funny.  I packed a snack bag for DH and he was sneaking me chex mix when the nurses were out of the room.  They had a cafeteria for spouses/workers but they had set meal times.  They also sent up a menu with different choices that you marked for each meal and then they would bring that to you at the designated meal times.  Of course when I delivered it was between meal times so there was nothing until around 6 but thankfully they had a little snack area in the hall that was free for everyone at all times and had sandwiches, chips, fruit, etc so I wouldn't wither away haha.  Definitely ask about the outside food policy (my hospital didn't care) and I always packed a snack bag for DH which he appreciated so he didn't have to leave at certain times to get food from the cafeteria, especially if family was visiting, etc.  They also did a nice "celebration" meal for both of us (both times) with a wheeled table and a fancy meal and sparking grape juice in champagne glasses.  One of my co-workers said that the hospital she went to it was optional and she had to pay for it, but the hospital I went to it was "complimentary" (I put that in " because with how much they charged for everything I'm sure I paid for it somehow or another).  I was always hungry after birth and wanted regular food but luckily I never had any nausea or complications while giving birth, I also never had a c/s so I didn't have any food restrictions.

I also strongly recommend getting up and walking around after giving birth and getting a shower asap, I didn't with my first and did with my second, I felt so much better after walking around and the shower was amazing, it made me feel so much better so don't put it off unless instructed otherwise.

Gingermom15

As for the no outside food policy, that sounds extremely outdated. Consulting with the nurse beforehand to make sure there is no food that will interact with meds, that they are allowed solid foods mainly due to bowel function, etc should be sufficient. If they say there is a policy, then ask to see the printed version with the policy number and read it for yourself. If they cannot produce that then you can bring in whatever you want. 

livingthedream-3

@ashleyf911 Yes, food is a big deal. There really is only 2 big hospitals in our area that have maternity wardsand you deliver based on your insurance. I've gone to both. The one I liked way better but the other one had awesome food and I talk about it all the time.

I am a c/s mama (2 breech babies) and my big question on my second tour (different hospital) is am I allowed to do skin to skin and breastfeeding while still on the table. I was able to and that is a big reason I'm sticking with this hospital for #3 c/s. It made my experience so much better the second time.

kalawa

I would have been a bitchy mess if I wasn't allowed outside food. I ate the hospital food, but one bowl of soup and half a sandwich is not going to cut it for this girl. My SO brought me pizza, and a poutine. And the lady beside me got a whole take chinese dinner. 

barrelocarol

1. What role do nurses play in supporting labor? Do they actually help you breath or are they strictly medically minded? This would have made all the difference for me bc I needed support (a doula or some breathing help) and was surprised that this wasn't part of the deal. 

2. Ask about NICU policies and when a mom can see baby. I couldn't see my son for 8 torturous hours (I spiked a fever so he was monitored for elevated temps) and never thought to ask about those policies. 

amylonghorn

I second the lactation consultant question from @DDRRT1982. Case in point, I gave birth to DD on Saturday at 2:30 a.m. and the ONLY lactation consultant in the hospital taught a breast feeding class on Saturday and then had Sunday and Monday off - the EXACT days I was in the hospital. The nursery nurses were a big help with breast feeding, but DD and I just couldn't get it right. We were able to see the LC about a week later, but I am super disappointed in the whole experience and am hoping this time around will be a lot different.

day38

Some more (non-food) questions:

1) What's their C-Section rate? The latest studies (about 2015) say 19%-ish is a good benchmark. In the US overall it's about 31-32%. You can probably find this info online about your hospital, but if the number is really high you'll want to know why - do they have a lot of high risk moms, are they intervention happy, etc?

2) What's their rooming in policy for after birth? Is there a nursery where the baby can go for a little bit so you can get some rest? Hospitals with an official "baby friendly" designation don't have nurseries for healthy babies. I'd say my hospital was pro-breastfeeding in general, but after spending an entire night not sleeping having the nurse take DS for 2-3 hours between feeds while my husband and I slept peacefully was SO helpful.

3) What happens if the L&D floor is full? How often does that happen?

4) What's their standard practice for monitoring? Will you be free to move around/change positions during labor?

5) What is the induction rate at this hospital? What's the episiotomy rate?

6) If I have a c-section, will my baby be separated from me right after the procedure? Or can I do skin-to-skin?

ashleyf911

So aside from food, one of the reasons I chose my hospital was the NICU situation. 

Hospital 1 - the NICU was the floor above labor and delivery, the rooms were small and just for baby. So if I had a c-section, I'd be on a different floor for 3 or 4 days.  If you wanted to stay with baby after you were discharged, you had to sleep in the Ronald McDonald Room down the hall.

Hospital 2 - had NICU suites on the L&D floor. If babe needed the NICU, mom and baby would be wheeled down the hall to a NICU suite and both would stay in the same room. Even if I was discharged before baby, DH and I could both stay in the suite 24/7 with babe. 

I went with #2. And sorry,  I realize I don't really have a question - my advice would just be to think about logistics in the event babe needs the NICU. What you'll be comfortable with and what will work best for your family. 

DDRRT1982

@ashleyf911 the NICU is one of my main reasons for delivering at the hospital I am.  I can make a significant level of compromises with my own comfort level, but will not when it comes to the NICU level or access to higher levels of care for my child.  You made great points and I think everyone should know what NICU care looks like at their delivering hospital.  I pray none of us need it, though.

gazelle319

Re: outside food, my hospital has delivery menus available for nearby places that regularly deliver there, which is awesome. If your hospital isn't familiar with local delivery places, scope out the options ahead of time. 

For the hospital, like what others have said, I'd ask about what support and facilities/equipment they have for labor. How often will the nurses check on you, and how much will they help you through labor? My nurse kept putting me in different positions to help labor which I was so thankful for, but I know other nurses just check on you and aren't as hands on. How much can you walk around vs. when do you have to be hooked up to machines? Are there birthing balls, donut balls, showers/baths available for labor, or do you need to bring stuff (like a birthing ball) from home? What do the nurses recommend you bring/don't bring from home for labor and postpartum? My hospital tour guide was one of the nurses there and she gave us a ton of helpful information. 

Things to ask at the hospital tour and also discuss with your doctor would be about how much control you have during labor. Do you have to push lying down or can you push on your side, all fours, etc? How much can you walk around versus how often will you need to be hooked up to the monitoring machines? If you get an epidural, what can you/can't you do in terms of moving around or switching positions during labor? What happens if your doctor is unavailable at delivery? (Who would cover for the doctor?) What about a birthing plan, or birthing preferences - how do you communicate that, to whom, and when? For me, the only two things I had in my "plan" were to have the doctor do perineal massage right before baby crowned (to reduce tearing) and to have delayed cord clamping, and I just told that to my doctor both ahead of time and then again during labor when she checked in on me. 

kiki75

I agree about the NICU stuff. I toured two hospitals before TTC because I needed to choose an OB/Gyn at that time. There were pros and cons to both but when it came down to it, I didn't end up weighing all of those because one has the higher level NICU than the other and that one was perfectly acceptable in all of the other ways. It's still in another area but it's not like the baby will have to be transferred across town, I wouldn't be stuck in a hospital across town from my baby, nor would it be a matter of H being torn between two hospitals. Like I said, some people don't even want to consider bad scenarios and would prefer to pretend that they don't happen unless they find themselves in the middle of one. But, for me, I find comfort in having at least a bit of a plan and some knowledge ahead of time.