Questions to ask on the hospital tour?

ShannonMVT · #1 February 5th, 2009, 03:04 PM

Does anyone have a list they want to share? Especially you crunchy type moms, I know I need to ask about things like IVs, ability to move around, the infant procedures. All that stuff.

Also, Dh and I are going to meet with my doula this weekend!

I am really excited about it! I spoke with her on the phone today and she was super nice. I feel really good knowing I'll have someone there to help me with the birth and maybe I'll end up getting to do it drug free.

SandKmommy · #2 February 5th, 2009, 03:24 PM

How many people are allowed in the room during labor and after
What the visiting hours are after birth
If baby is allowed to room in with you (some places have baby stay in nursery at night)
If a c-section is needed how many people can come with you, I know some hospitals allow 2 persons some only 1

Would I labor and give birth in one room, or would I be required to move just before the birth? Would I stay in the same room after I give birth? {(My hospital has a birthing room and recovery room)}

Could my partner stay with me throughout my stay after the baby is born? What accommodations are available?

Are there private rooms available? {(again my hospital has some shared recovery rooms)}

How often do you experience an overflow of patients? What happens if all of your birthing rooms are taken?

soImarriedAnerd · #3 February 5th, 2009, 06:45 PM

I will try to find my list for you!

ANGWife · #4 February 6th, 2009, 07:29 AM

I'm interested in this post, cause we should be touring our hospital at the end of the month. haha although I've already been to L & D twice.

#5 February 6th, 2009, 09:37 AM

If you see medical equiment stuck on the walls - ask what it's all for - I felt so much better when I went into the delivery room whilst labouring, knowing what all the stuff did should I need it. If I hadn't asked I would have been very nervous of all the stuff about. A lot is simple things but to you and I it's "medical", if that makes sense.

Resi · #6 February 6th, 2009, 12:01 PM

Do the having a birthing ball
Do they let you get up and walk/move around as you like
Can you take a shower or use a birthing tub
Are you free to push in different positions
Do they have a fetal monitor that is cordless (can't remember what they are called) so you are not stuck in bed

Can baby have all tests done in the room with you. If not what test will have to be done outside of your room. Can Daddy go with for the tests?

Is there a lactation nurse that will come and help with bf?

ShannonMVT · #7 February 6th, 2009, 04:47 PM

Thanks for the good questions...keep them coming! I found out we can go on a tour THIS Sunday or else we have to wait a month. So I'm leaning towards going ahead and going even though I have not researched everything yet.

Dumb question, but, I know they do have a jacuzzi in the room which I think is for labor. What would I wear if I labor in the tub??? Would I need to get a maternity swimsuit? Buck modesty and just be naked?

Resi · #8 February 6th, 2009, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Thanks for the good questions...keep them coming! I found out we can go on a tour THIS Sunday or else we have to wait a month. So I'm leaning towards going ahead and going even though I have not researched everything yet.

Dumb question, but, I know they do have a jacuzzi in the room which I think is for labor. What would I wear if I labor in the tub??? Would I need to get a maternity swimsuit? Buck modesty and just be naked?[/b]

I would get a sports bra type top and nothing on the bottom while in the tub. I never made it in the tub but I wore a nursing sleep bra under my gown while I was in labor. It made it easy after my baby was born.

soImarriedAnerd · #9 February 6th, 2009, 07:07 PM

Ditto to resi---bra or nothing. For the tub---can you be in there if you water has broken (most you can't!), what tests do I need to have to use the tub (usually Hep B and HIV), can I be in the tub if I have taken any narcotics?
If you want a CD player ask if they have one. Ask what snacks they have on the floor, ask if your allowed to bring in food (some have a strict rule on this since the smell can make some mom's sick they don't want you getting the other moms sick). Is SO/support people allowed to have snacks that the hospital provides.
If they have birthballs--how many, would they recommend you bringing your own or are they usually available.
Wanna found out how pro-natural they are...ask them how many of their patients on the floor RIGHT now are on Pitocin of some sorts (drip or bolus). Have them show your DH where the ice machine is, the snacks are, the waiting rooms (for labor and for c/s-just in case), know where your cafeteria is.

lauren in hi · #10 February 6th, 2009, 07:26 PM

I am not a crunchy type, but other questions I would have are How long is a normal stay, do you have to be a certain # of cm. dilated before you are admitted, if you need a catheter, how long will it be in... What items will you be provided with? What are you allowed to eat while in labor? (I've heard of some docs allowing popsicles, jello, stuff like that...), if you are going to bf find out if you can make sure your child is not given formula or if they cup feed, etc.

I didn't even think about scheduling my tour until recently, and I'm not going till the end of the month! Last time I know we did it a bit earlier...and it was at a different hospital so I really need to do this.

ShannonMVT · #11 February 6th, 2009, 07:27 PM

Thanks, I will ask those questions and plan on bringing a sports bra.

How can I ask what is negotiable and what isn't without coming across as pushy? KWIM? For example, telling them I prefer not to have an IV, or continuous monitoring? I guess just coming right out and saying I'd prefer not have those things and asking if that is allowed?
I'm wondering about the snacks as well since I know some hospitals don't like you to eat or drink anything. It does say on the website they have a small refrigerator in the room. (The room is also labor/delivery/postpartum all in one.)

I also don't want the Hep B shot for baby, and probably not vitamin K or eye cream, etc.

~*Bethy*~ · #12 February 6th, 2009, 08:13 PM

Thats why you make up a birth plan. If your dr hasent talked with you yet, I would advise you to ask him/her at your next visit. Most hospitals will go by your plan, as well as tell you what their standard policy is. I know IV's are a touch subject with alot of hospitals, but with mine, they had to run the line in my hand, but wasnt required to be hooked up to it the full time.

Every single item in the room - ask them what its for. Alot of times as their going through the room with you, questions will pop in your head. Ask them if cameras/video's are allowed. If you have a c-section I will tell ya that having a camera in there as well. Ask them if they will wait on washing the baby till your up and moving, so you can be part of their first bath

Ask them whats their policy for security of the baby. Alot of hospitals have ankle beepers on the babies, and will go off and alert the front desk if baby is taken into the hallway without entering a code first.

Pretty much you've got a good list going - and if its a public tour, alot of other mom's will have the same questions, as well as questions you didnt think of

Dont hesitate to call your dr or as well as the hospital if you have a question, thats what their there for

Have fun and the tour is alot of fun

~Beth

soImarriedAnerd · #13 February 6th, 2009, 08:18 PM

Your doctor writes the law of the land not the hospital....hospitals have policy/procedures for the things the Doctors tell them to do with you. Usually there is a "standard admission form" its a form that makes it easy for the doctors to write their orders---they just check the boxes, see if you can get a copy of THAT!!!! (i don't think it would be an issue).
So if you don't want an IV access have the doctor write an order for no IV access, etc. NOTHING is HAVE to do----its your right to decline anything even something the doctor writes an order for (some things you may have to sign a waiver for---like you will have to sign for the Hep B shot). So really most of this stuff you need to go over with your doctor....many times the doctor will hand you your admission orders to take to the hospital when you check in---THESE are what the nurses will do. So just make sure you and MD are on the same page....like make sure they read what you want. I would even start this early because I can't tell you how many doctors say "oh yeah sure" but then when it gets down to it, doesn't do it and then tells you "tough its not like your going to change providers now".

FYI-its never to late to change!

Food that your allowed to eat---doctors orders
IV access---- doctors orders
activity level---doctors orders
monitoring----doctors orders for time needed (types of monitoring available--hospital equipment--do they have cord or wireless monitors would be a question since Thats a hospital thing).
Tests to be ran----doctors orders.
Dad with baby-----hospital policy :who is allowed in certain rooms...security is a BIG thing on these floors!
number of people in OR (if c/s is needed)-----hospital policy, anesthesiologist can override THAT even though....if they don't want anyone in the room--then no one is in (this rarely happens, usually only in emergency c/s cases)

Doctor is in control of YOU and babies stuff.....also one doctor will trump another doctor. If you get an epidural, the anesthesiologist who put it in is the one who now controls all your care while its in! Making your doctor's orders secondary to the anesthesiologist. This also goes for the OR room if you need a c/s....your doctor is secondary to the anesthesiologist in that room. As far as doctors go...anesthesiologist are kind of the big guys when they are doing something with the patient! LOL

ShannonMVT · #14 February 6th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Oh wow, I didn't realize that my doctor was in charge of all that stuff! I will definitely start asking her those things at my next visit. *crossing fingers* The only thing she has told me so far is that I can have as many people in my room as I want during labor, but just 2 during delivery. No idea about c/s, I will ask her about that too.

Once I talk these things over with my OB and find out what she is okay with, do I make my birth plan and give her a copy and ask her to write those things on my admission form?

soImarriedAnerd · #15 February 6th, 2009, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Oh wow, I didn't realize that my doctor was in charge of all that stuff! I will definitely start asking her those things at my next visit. *crossing fingers* The only thing she has told me so far is that I can have as many people in my room as I want during labor, but just 2 during delivery. No idea about c/s, I will ask her about that too.

Once I talk these things over with my OB and find out what she is okay with, do I make my birth plan and give her a copy and ask her to write those things on my admission form?[/b]

Yep! But make sure thats what she puts on the form!!! (you can ask to see them!) If she doesn't write an order for Hep B then you dont' have to worry about filling out the waivers while there, hopefully you can do it prior and then the staff will not harass you.