This past Monday Rob and I had an appointment at the hospital for the pre-labour tour. Given that the Maternity ward is a place we've never really visited, we thought it would be best to hear from the hospital what we could expect and where exactly to go once we are in labour.
We arrived at the main doors and met with our tour guide. There were 11 other couples on this tour as well. We were delighted to see that 2 of the other couples were actually from our pre-natal group, so we got a chance to catch up and chat with them. It was particularly exciting as one of the couples was one day away from their due date. I asked is she was nervous, but she said that the nervousness has passed and she's at the point where she just wants it over with. Given that I have 8 weeks to go, I'm not exactly that the "just get her out" point, although if she was to show up early I certainly wouldn't be complaining either.
The tour started by taking us down to the emerg dept. We all had forms to fill out that allowed us to pre-register so that when we are in labour we don't have to wait in the line up of people before being seen. We just come in and immediately go to the registration desk where they will print off our bracelets and labels and escort us up to labour and delivery.
We then all squeezed into the elevator and headed up to the 6th floor. Everything on the floor is only accessible by key card pass, so that there are no security issues and no one can randomly wander into your room as your giving birth. As a non-hospital staff member once we get to this point there is a buzzer to push, then the nurses station will ask us to identify ourselves and then allow the doors to open.
The first stage of check-in once in the maternity ward is the assessment room. The pregnant women will be given a bed in a room of about 8 beds, where the nurses will strap monitors on the belly and do a physical exam to make sure you are actually in real labour. We are told that we can expect to spend the first 2 hours in this room.
Once it has been determined that you are indeed in real labour, you are moved to your delivery suite where you will spent the rest of your time until after the baby arrives. The rooms were pretty nice. All equipped with a personal bathroom/tub/shower, tv monitor with internet and phone, a few chairs for your labour team and obviously the bed for delivering as well as the warmer for the baby.
At this point we are told "the rules". You are allowed 3 people in the delivery suite with you, but they have to remain the same 3 people throughout the entire time. You can't have 6 people rotating through in groups of 3. Everyone else must wait in the waiting room until after the baby is born. Now we had some thinking to do. Given that Rob will obviously be there, we only have room for 2 other support people. (For the record, Rob will be the only person, other than medical staff, in the actual room when it comes time for pushing, but the other 2 people will be there to serve as a comfort or distraction during the contractions)We had planned on having 4 people taking turns. All picked for very different reasons. Obviously the 2 mothers are on the list, and we had 2 very close friends. (one because she has been there herself and we have a very open relationship, not to mention that she is hilarious and would be fantastic company, and the other friend has been my friend all my life and has been with me through thick and thin) We pretty much have it narrowed down, but it may change on the day of given things like whose able to actually make it between work, weather, traffic etc, and how the labour is going. There is a chance I may not want anyone seeing me in that condition, so we'll decide on our people when the time comes.
They also pointed out that if it is decided that you need to have a c-section, they have their own operating room in the same ward,(literally next door to the birthing suite) so that you don't need to be transported to any special area. All your things are safe where they are and you support team can go with you.
Next they showed us the nursery where the babies are kept if there are any medical concerns. Access is strictly for parents only and again, only accessed through a buzzer system. There are no windows for public viewing, its very much a lock-down situation. With any luck, we won't need this area of the hospital.
Finally they showed us to the post-delivery rooms, where the mother and baby will stay for the duration of their hospital stay until discharged. They have ward rooms, semi-private and private available. (depending on insurance coverage or if you're willing to pay for the privacy). In here they also have tvs, internet and phones, as well as chairs for visiting company. They told us the visiting hours (11-2 and 5-8) and that anyone can come visit during these hours. They have made the washrooms large enough so that you can roll the baby (in bassinet) into the washroom with you so you can take a shower. They also equip each room with a hat and booties for the baby along with items that you will need for the first night (diaper, cream, towel, washcloth etc).
It seems like a pretty decent set-up and honestly I feel a lot more comfortable now knowing where to go and what to expect once the labour starts. Now all we have to do is wait for those contractions to start!
