Hospital Tour

Yesterday I had to opportunity to tour the hospital with my client (and her husband and daughter) along with a dozen+ other people. I wanted go so that I would know where the hospital was, where to park, and what their policies were. I didn't want to be obnoxious with my questions, but I also wanted to know what tools were available to help me help "my" mom in labor. Aside from one little 6-yr-old girl, it felt like my clients and I were the only ones asking questions.

Overall I was very impressed. Since water was such a help with my labors I was thrilled to see a huge tub on the website. Unfortunately, they only have one "spa" but they claim that they've never had mom's have to fight over it. ;) VBAC moms are allowed in the tub, and they have telemetry units that can go in the water (we didn't ask if intermittent monitoring was an option, but I think that's more up to the OB). The shower in the room looked big enough to labor in if the spa wasn't available.

They have squat bars, birth balls, and peanut balls and she said that they were in the process of thinking about putting together some "comfort measure bags" with tennis balls for massage and aromatherapy. She encouraged us to bring our own in the meantime. Only thing we can't have is real candles, but they have some battery operated ones in the spa and I have some in my bag already.

She showed us how the bed broke apart for delivery and suggested many different positions that a woman with an epidural could be in besides flat on her back. Not that my client is expecting an epidural, but it's nice that she won't be tied down if she needs one. The room wasn't huge, but plenty big enough to move around in and the unit itself was a big circle that we could walk around (not sure what the range on the monitors is if we went out of the unit).

Skin-to-skin for one hour is routine - even after a c-section! - unless there's a problem with the baby; and the cord clamping is delayed for at least 3 minutes. Baby is taken to the well nursery for her bath and usually only dad goes with, but they will postpone it until mom is able is she wants to be there.

Only one support person is allowed in the OR, but the nurse said there have been exceptions and it's up to the anesthesiologist. Since my client is going for a VBAC, I suggested that they talk with the OB and anesthesiologist early on in labor to see if I can go back with them to take pictures and stay with mom in case dad needs to leave with baby. BUT that will all be a moot point. ;)

There was other good information, like they have 28 beds and deliver 3-5 babies per day (so it's not super busy. They could have one mom on bed rest, 3 on day 1 of postpartum, 4 on day 2 of postpartum, and 5 in labor and still only have 12 moms there). We found out when the main doors were locked and how to enter to the secure unit. Definitely worth my time.