Questions for hospital tour

Marinewife81

I have my hospital tour next month and was wondering what sorts of questions everyone asked.

Hamende2B

I asked:

- Do you have wi-fi?

-What are the rules on visitors (age restrictions, time restrictions, etc.)

-How long is the average stay? 

MD_Chocoholic

Cell phone policy

Is the room you birth in also the room you recover in? Or are you moved to a separate recovery area?

What baby supplies they provide (diapers, wipes, shirt, etc)

Allie30

I asked no questions. They gave a sheet with ALL their info and policies on visitors, cell phones, who could be where when, what the whole experience was going to be like, how the NICU worked, what the ratio of nurses to patients were, how many rooms they had and when you would be moved to what room under what circumstances, and then we got a tour where she went over all that and more.

Same thing happened at my pediatrician interview. I came in with questions, but they answered them all before I even got a chance to start. 

jpowell3

What time the cafeteria closes. Ds was born at 6:30pm and by the time I was cleaned up & settled in my room I had to send someone to get me fast food.

day lilies 08

Where you go when you come in, both during regular hours and after hours. Some hospitals want you to come in through the emergency room if it is after hours, others don't.

Arielle27

I don't remember where I found this list, but it is SUPER comprehensive:

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During the tour, be sure to ask about:

• Pre-registration and check-in procedures
• Suggestions for what to bring to the hospital
• Policies on walking around, eating, and drinking
• Access for the mother's "birthing coach" or other support people
• Visiting hours for family and friends
• Availability of neonatal intensive care facilities and trained staff
• Childbirth classes offered by the hospital (e.g., labor and delivery, baby care, first aid, breastfeeding)
• Security procedures (e.g., wristbands)
• Use of videocameras
• Pain relief options
• Check-out procedures

 

 

LABOR:

Can I wear my own clothes?

Can my husband or the companion of my choice stay with me while I'm being monitored in the admitting room?

Will medical students attend to me or observe me in labor?

Can I eat or drink if I wish during labor?

Will I routinely be given a heparin lock?

Will I be monitored continuously during labor or will I be monitored intermittently?

Will the fetal heart rate be monitored by hand using a fetal stethoscope so that I can move around?

Will I have the freedom to choose positions in labor (such as walking, sitting, squatting, kneeling, using a birth ball, etc.)?

What is their policy regarding artificial rupture of membranes?

What is their policy regarding the use of the artificial hormone, oxytocin, to induce labor or stimulate contractions?

If my membranes rupture and I don't have contractions yet, after how many hours will I be induced?

Can I take lengthy showers for pain relief and for relaxation?

What percentage of women have epidurals for pain relief in labor? (e.g. if most women have epidurals, it is an indication of the hospital's attitude toward natural childbirth).

Do the midwives actively encourage women in labor to use pain-relieving drugs?

Can my husband or the support person of my choice be with me all the time?

Can I have an additional support person with me?

Does the hospital recommend a Cesarean birth (without an attempted labor) if my baby is over 4kgs? Over 4.5kgs?

 

BIRTH:

Can I have my husband with me during the birth?

Can I have an additional support person with me during the birth?

Can my husband be with me for a Cesarean birth?

Can I choose positions for pushing and for delivery?

Will I be able to push beyond the usual time limit if progress is being made?

Will every effort be made to try to avoid an episiotomy?

May I touch my baby during delivery?

Does the hospital practice late cord clamping (after the pulsating stops)?

Will the baby be allowed to take its first breaths unassisted (no immediate suctioning, etc.)?

May I have skin-to-skin contact with my baby immediately after birth?

Can the baby remain on me instead of being moved to the warming table?

Does the hospital routinely give an artificial hormone injection of oxytocin after the birth to expel the placenta?

 

POSTNATAL:

Can my baby be with me at all times (including nights)?

Is there breastfeeding help available if I need it?

Can I choose that my baby not be given vitamin K or certain immunizations (e.g. Hepatitis ?

Are husbands restricted to hospital visiting hours? If so, what are those hours?

Can I be discharged early from the hospital if I wish?

Marinewife81

These are all great questions! Thanks ladies. I plan on taking them with me and going over whatever they might not cover. I shouldn't have too hard of a time getting the info I need. I'm going with one of my classes and there aren't a lot of people in them.