Just wondering if anyone has done the hospital tour yet.... DH and I took ours yesterday. Let me just say it did freak me out a tad.... made it seem very real that we ARE going to have a baby, and it is only about 3 months away! The hospital we're delivering at is HUGE, delivers over 7000 babies a year, has 2 Maternity Wards because it is so big, etc. We got to see both wards, both nurseries, also a labor & delivery room and the room you're moved to after the birth. I did really well until we were in the L & D room and the nurse was showing us how they break down the bed, and there are the stirrups, also the big mirror on the ceiling they can pull down if you want to see... and how the epidural needle goes 4 inches into your back!!! Anyway, I left a little scared, and was wondering if anyone else had this experience...

[~Paula~]

Hmm, hadn't even thought about it. I don't think I do a tour, I've been there several times in the last couple of years visiting friends with babies, so I know the rooms. Plus mine is a c/s so I don't need to see L&D and I don't WANT to see the OR until I have to. lol
You know, that's funny I didn't get one with my first dd either. Weird.

Hmm, hadn't even thought about it. I don't think I do a tour, I've been there several times in the last couple of years visiting friends with babies, so I know the rooms. Plus mine is a c/s so I don't need to see L&D and I don't WANT to see the OR until I have to. lol
You know, that's funny I didn't get one with my first dd either. Weird.[/b]

I can't remember what part of Ohio you're from, but are you delivering in central Ohio? I am, so just wondering....

Yeah, sometimes I think NOT doing things can be a plus. I was a lot less scared about L & D before I took the hospital tour. I think I'm skipping childbirth classes for this very reason. There is a fine line between being educated, and knowing a little too much, KWIM?

[~Paula~]

I'm from NE Ohio, I'll be delivering at Lake West hospital. I'm about 20 miles E of Cleveland.

I'm from NE Ohio, I'll be delivering at Lake West hospital. I'm about 20 miles E of Cleveland.[/b]

Ah, ok! Guess we won't be at the same hospital then!

[~Paula~]

Where are you?

Where are you?[/b]

Columbus, delivering at Riverside Methodist Hospital...

[MDS0307]

I dont think my hospital does a tour... unless maybe you can request it?
But i dont need it anyway, i had my first baby there and i used to work there so
i know it well enough.

[~Paula~]

Ahh, you're about 3 hours from me. Anywhere near Cosi (sp)? I LOVE that place!

[SusieQ2]

I start birthing classes this Tuesday and they go for 5 weeks once a week. I think the hospital tour is part of that.

[Amy B.]

I'm not taking any classes since I've done this before and am having a repeat c-section. However, after my u/s a couple of weeks ago, we took a tour since it's not the same hospital/town where we delivered Aiden. It's my hometown hospital where my sis was born. There are only four LDRP rooms! There's not even a cafeteria just a dietary dept. I guess I'll get lots of attention since on average, they only deliver maybe one or two babies a week.

[~Paula~]

I see my diabetic specialist at the hospital where I'll give birth, I heard this lullaby music playing as we were sitting there and my dietician said that they play that music every time a baby is born!! HOW SWEET IS THAT!! Made my heart melt! She said it was already the 3rd that day!

[MDS0307]

I see my diabetic specialist at the hospital where I'll give birth, I heard this lullaby music playing as we were sitting there and my dietician said that they play that music every time a baby is born!! HOW SWEET IS THAT!! Made my heart melt! She said it was already the 3rd that day![/b]

Yes my hospital does that too, they play the lullaby music over the intercom every time a baby is born.

[Brittanie]

No tour for me, as I've delivered there before. I didn't have a tour before delivery then, either, because I've had SEVERAL friends who've delivered there.

[Amy B.]

Yes my hospital does that too, they play the lullaby music over the intercom every time a baby is born.
[/b]

for my first hospital. It was awesome!

[Brittanie]

I don't know if my hospital does. I don't remember anything the day I was there though. I'm SURE that there must have been at least ONE baby born while I was in labor!

Ahh, you're about 3 hours from me. Anywhere near Cosi (sp)? I LOVE that place![/b]

I live about 15 minutes north of Cosi! I agree-- fun place!

[Lunagrace]

DH and I went on our tour in mid-January. It was awesome. We won't be in the actual hospital. There is a Birthing Inn behind the hospital so we go straight to the Inn. It's also within walking distance of my Dr.'s office which is attached to the hospital. They went over everything including the security steps they take to keep me and baby safe. They have fridges throughout all the halls that are stocked with water and juices for us to take when we want. The rooms are all suites with soaking tubs and showers. There's a place for DH to sleep, too. I was really impressed with how they do their best to make us comfortable.

The only time we got a little nervous is when they showed us this closet that houses "The Cart." When we see them open the closet and get "The Cart," it's time to deliver. ***GULP***

[wannabmommy]

Our hospital doesn't give tours. They say it's due to the privacy of the patients and the security of the babies, which I guess I understand.

[*Ashley*]

We did a tour as part of the birthing class with DD. Since our classes were at night the tour wasn't until about 8pm so there weren't many people or babies there. I don't know if they do them now because our hospital just went through a major renovation. They re-did all of the security and put a locking, sliding glass door on the maternity ward/nursery and you can't get in unless you are on the "list."