@Piperella I was curious about the use of nitrous oxide in childbirth when I was pregnant with my first. I've used it at the dentist (during a root canal) and it seems like a decent middle ground between no pain relief and a regular epidural (that can dull all sensation). I've read that nitrous oxide is very popular in other countries (Canada, the UK, Finland and Australia), but it's not commonly used in the U.S. It was not available at my birthing hospital two years ago, but neither was a "walking epidural" or really anything beyond a full epidural. Here's an interesting article from the Atlantic about its use: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/using-laughing-gas-to-relieve-the-pain-of-childbirth/374124/
@Piperella I was curious about the use of nitrous oxide in childbirth when I was pregnant with my first. I've used it at the dentist (during a root canal) and it seems like a decent middle ground between no pain relief and a regular epidural (that can dull all sensation). I've read that nitrous oxide is very popular in other countries (Canada, the UK, Finland and Australia), but it's not commonly used in the U.S. It was not available at my birthing hospital two years ago, but neither was a "walking epidural" or really anything beyond a full epidural. Here's an interesting article from the Atlantic about its use: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/07/using-laughing-gas-to-relieve-the-pain-of-childbirth/374124/
I'm actually considering changing hospitals to one that offers nitrous oxide as pain relief during childbirth. It's a big decision because I'm not unhappy with my current practice, but this option is enticing. Plus, the nitrous hospital is about 20 minutes closer to my house, so there's that benefit.
My husband's family is from the UK, and epidurals just aren't used as often there. It's nitrous gas all the way.
Just wanted to thank everyone who gave suggestions on which questions to ask etc. I want to give an update on the hospital tours we did. We did three in total and we've decided on which one we are going to choose.
Here were things we found consistent with all three places we visited:
- With all three tours, I was the only one barely showing. Everyone was clearly in their 3rd tri or probably late 2nd tri.
- All three first started with where to check-in when it's time, where to park, how to check-in, etc.
- All three talked about visiting hours and visiting rules. One of the hospitals said they don't allow visitors under the age of 10 right now because of the flu season (so you may want to ask your hospital/birth center this when you go)
- All three places showed us the labor/delivery room, the postpartum room--- and what to expect.
We found a few interesting things as well:
- All three places said circumcisions are 99% not going to be done at the hospital, and we will probably have to do it later on with our pediatrician of choice.
- Two of the places provide bedding and a bed/sofa bed for your support person.
- Only ONE of the places we visited talked about what would happen if you got a C-Section. The other two places touched on it briefly, but you almost couldn't ask questions, because they talked about it in the case of an emergency c-section...they never talked about scheduled ones.
- All three places do not have nurseries to our disappointment. Only NICUs.
- None of the places provide laughing gas as a pain management option.
They were all so different in their approach. The first one we visited (UCSD San Diego), was super crunchy. They had a birthing center and free doulas---they were awesome, but the place felt dirty and old to me. The second one we visited (Scripps Mercy) felt like we were being lectured by a Catholic school teacher. While the facility looked awesome, they weren't very up to date (or at least the tour leader wasn't) on skin to skin, etc.
The third one was our winner (Sharp Marcy Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns). I've only heard good things about them, and I guess because this facility was built for labor & delivery in mind, they definitely have everything dialed. Some of the things I loved about them:
- they talked about skin to skin with Daddy in case of a c-section while mommy is recovering. - they talked about cheek to cheek with mommy in case of a c-section; immediately after the baby is cleaned up. - their boutique is staffed with licensed lactation specialists so that in case you have questions after you've checked out of the hospital, you can always just go to their boutique (which has a breastfeeding room too) - all rooms are private - parking is free for your support person - they sent us home with a booklet detailing everything discussed during the tour, including a schedule of all the upcoming childbirth classes. they even had a class for "new siblings!" So cool. - Sent us home with the intake form and a pre-paid envelope we could fill out and mail back, so that we won't have to do that when it's time to be admitted.
Phew! If you're still reading, I hope you guys find the perfect place for you. I have to say for some of the tours, I clammed up and got intimidated to ask questions---but thankfully I wrote them down and SO asked them all for me.
Re: Hospital / Maternity Tours?
My husband's family is from the UK, and epidurals just aren't used as often there. It's nitrous gas all the way.
Thanks for linking the article!
Here were things we found consistent with all three places we visited:
- With all three tours, I was the only one barely showing. Everyone was clearly in their 3rd tri or probably late 2nd tri.
- All three first started with where to check-in when it's time, where to park, how to check-in, etc.
- All three talked about visiting hours and visiting rules. One of the hospitals said they don't allow visitors under the age of 10 right now because of the flu season (so you may want to ask your hospital/birth center this when you go)
- All three places showed us the labor/delivery room, the postpartum room--- and what to expect.
We found a few interesting things as well:
- All three places said circumcisions are 99% not going to be done at the hospital, and we will probably have to do it later on with our pediatrician of choice.
- Two of the places provide bedding and a bed/sofa bed for your support person.
- Only ONE of the places we visited talked about what would happen if you got a C-Section. The other two places touched on it briefly, but you almost couldn't ask questions, because they talked about it in the case of an emergency c-section...they never talked about scheduled ones.
- All three places do not have nurseries to our disappointment. Only NICUs.
- None of the places provide laughing gas as a pain management option.
They were all so different in their approach. The first one we visited (UCSD San Diego), was super crunchy. They had a birthing center and free doulas---they were awesome, but the place felt dirty and old to me. The second one we visited (Scripps Mercy) felt like we were being lectured by a Catholic school teacher. While the facility looked awesome, they weren't very up to date (or at least the tour leader wasn't) on skin to skin, etc.
The third one was our winner (Sharp Marcy Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns). I've only heard good things about them, and I guess because this facility was built for labor & delivery in mind, they definitely have everything dialed. Some of the things I loved about them:
- they talked about skin to skin with Daddy in case of a c-section while mommy is recovering.
- they talked about cheek to cheek with mommy in case of a c-section; immediately after the baby is cleaned up.
- their boutique is staffed with licensed lactation specialists so that in case you have questions after you've checked out of the hospital, you can always just go to their boutique (which has a breastfeeding room too)
- all rooms are private
- parking is free for your support person
- they sent us home with a booklet detailing everything discussed during the tour, including a schedule of all the upcoming childbirth classes. they even had a class for "new siblings!" So cool.
- Sent us home with the intake form and a pre-paid envelope we could fill out and mail back, so that we won't have to do that when it's time to be admitted.
Phew! If you're still reading, I hope you guys find the perfect place for you. I have to say for some of the tours, I clammed up and got intimidated to ask questions---but thankfully I wrote them down and SO asked them all for me.