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Hospital Tour - what to ask?

blonddnycblonddnyc member
in Natural Birth

i am going to tour 2 diff hospitals and am prepping a list of questions to ask specifically in regards to NB and waterbirth that is available. what questions do you suggest i ask to get a feel for how hospitible to nb they are?

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Re: Hospital Tour - what to ask?

  • BigAppleBiggerBellyBigAppleBiggerBelly member
    Which hospitals are you looking at? I took the tour at St Luke's Roosevelt (where I'm delivering), and it was very thorough.

    C-section rate? (elective/scheduled and emergency)

    What's strict hospital policy and what's up to your healthcare provider? (time limits on labor/after water breaks, monitoring, labor positions)

    What level NICU do they have? Where would baby be transferred to in case of a serious problem?

    Are any classes required before delivery? (I had to take a Birthing Center class and show I took a childbirth class elsewhere)

    What labor aids are available? (balls, stools, bars, tubs, etc)



    NY-specific questions: Is there a waiting room? (SLR doesn't have one for L&D)

    Are recovery rooms shared? What's the surcharge/wait list for a private room?

    Can baby stay with you for the first hour? Some places will perform all tests/checks while baby is in your arms, others take baby away. Vitamin K is req'd for NYers.

    Parking? Taxi drop off location?
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  • KatFCoKatFCo member

    How many tub rooms do you have? What happens if they're all in use when I get there (my hospital will let you transfer once one becomes available, but some might just make you stay where you are)

    What kind of training in NB methods do the nurses have? (I'm fortunate to go to a hospital where all the nurses have HB training)

     

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  • mjr12mjr12 member

    I would find out what the intervention rates and expectations are.  

    I also think it's important to decide what's important to you regarding newborn procedures and to ask them.  For example; delay cord clamp and cut, immediate nursing if you're planning on breastfeeding, skin to skin, nursery or rooming in, stances on formula feeding etc.

     One of your questions should also be about newborn procedures:  what do they do, what do they think of you declining and or delaying those procedures, and will they wait on bathing, etc.

    That's what was important to me, and each mom is different, but IMO, care AFTER the birth is just as important is DURING the birth.  

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