The Hospital Tour

Over the course of the past week, Corey and I have gotten a lot done. We've decided on a paint color and got opinions on it (thanks Mere and Cam!). We signed up for a birthing class (we will be going to it in January). We registered at Babies 'R Us, which I found fairly intimidating at the outset, but it went pretty well. I am, however, taking suggestions on infant carseats since I'm not in love with the one we picked out but I can't find any others that I like more. For the record, I'm fine with the safety ratings on the seat, I just don't think there are very many seats out there that are cute. And I know that sounds silly, but that's me.

And my favorite thing that we've done so far? The hospital tour.

This past Saturday, Corey and I braved the cold and rainy weather and went to the hospital where we will be having our baby girl. They have free scheduled tours for couples having babies three times a week. I grew up about 3 minutes away from this hospital, and I've been there (to visit sick friends) a few times over the years, but somehow, I had no idea where we were supposed to park to be near the women's center. We ended up parking at the complete wrong end of the hospital. Luckily within a minute of us walking in, we crossed the path of a very nice helpful man who worked there. When we told him what we were there for, he got a big grin and took us on a little mini-tour thru the back way to the women's center. Then he told us that he would let the tour guide know that we were waiting.

There was another couple there with their toddler and a third couple arrived shortly after us. Soon, a sweet nurse showed up with rubber duckies and sippy cups for every baby (they had the hospital's logo on them).

The nurse's name is Sherry, and she has been a nurse for over 40 years, 8 of which have been at the hospital we are delivering at. She was so knowledgeable and laid back and within a minute of meeting her, I felt so relieved that we would be delivering there. Everyone we came across had that same nice, easy-going attitude. They are all very focused on doing what is best for their patients, both mama and baby.

Some cool stuff that I didn't know/hadn't realized about our hospital:

1) Unless you end up having a c-section, you will go through labor and deliver all in the same room. I'm pretty sure this is how it happens most places. I just hadn't really thought about it. The beds are configured to come apart when you are ready to push and get that baby out. They have stirrups and leg grips on the bed.

2) After you deliver, baby will stay in the room with us for the next 2 hours while I get cleaned up, she gets cleaned up and weighed and measured and all that jazz. Sherry said that they make it a point to give you that time with baby on your chest as soon as you deliver and the cord is cut. She said that all the L&D nurses are trained to be able to help with breastfeeding in that first hour because that is very important.

3) For postpartum, they have lactation specialists on staff that do nothing but help with breastfeeding. They will schedule appointments with you and help you as much or as little as you like with the process.

4) You get to order whatever you want to eat from the cafeteria menu after you get to Postpartum. They also have a hospitality suite where they have lots of yummy drinks and juices and snacks--since you aren't able to eat at all during labor and delivery, I'm sure these things will come in handy.

5) They really want you to stay for the full time allotted-48 hours post-delivery for vaginal delivery, 4-6 days for c-section delivery. I had heard horror stories about people being pushed out of the hospital from a lot of people, but that is not the case here.

6) They let you keep the baby in your room as much or as little as you like. Most people keep their babies in the room with them the majority of the time. I can't imagine wanting to part with her much, but they do say it's good to have them take the babies every once in a while so you can get some really good sleep.

7) This particular hospital is big on epidurals. They are not going to guilt me if I want one. I'm pretty open to doing whatever I need to, but I feel like I will decide once I get there. It's nice to know I won't be judged by the medical staff if I decide to go for it.

8) They have fewer patients now than they did a couple of years ago. A lot of hospitals have opened in the area, so it's freed up a lot of room for them. This is good in a lot of ways-I won't be fighting to get a good room, me and my baby will be getting lots of attention, etc. And this is one of the best hospitals to deliver at in the area, as it is a level 3 (meaning they can handle a lot of complicated issues if need be).

All in all, I feel very confident and comfortable delivering at that hospital. It's within 15 minutes of our house, and I feel like I will be well taken care of by nurses and doctors that care about their patients. We are lucky ducks!