Re:How to Choose the Right Hospital?
I think the first considerations will be whether your doctor has hospital privileges there and whether they accept your insurance.
Assuming that you’ve addressed these questions and still have a few options, here are a few more considerations:
• What do the labor and delivery rooms look like? They’ll show you one if they’re not all in use on the day of your tour.
• Are there tubs or showers available in the rooms in which to labor or even deliver?
• Can you walk the halls while laboring?
• Do they have exercise balls to ease labor pains and assist in getting your baby in position to be delivered?
• Are there CD players, DVD players, etc. available for use while in early labor?
• What kind of fetal monitoring is typical for the hospital?
• What is the hospital’s NICU (Newborn Intensive Care Unit) level? If it’s not a level III, where and how will your baby be transferred if there is an emergency?
• What is the hospital’s policy on breastfeeding, formula, pacifiers, etc. for newborns?
• Are lactation consultants on staff or in regular rotation?
• What is the hospital’s practice regarding rooming-in with your baby?
• What security measures does the hospital take to ensure your baby’s safety and identity?
• Are mothers and babies moved from the labor and delivery room after the birth? When and where? What do those rooms look like?
• Does the hospital have any special procedure if the parents want additional genetic screening performed by a private lab? Do they have a preferred lab for this screening?
• What happens if your doctor isn’t available or can’t make it to the hospital in time to deliver your baby? Are there other doctors on call?
I would look for a hospital that is relatively close to home (you don’t need the added stress of trying to make it across town when you’re really feeling labor pains and your water has broken) and that feels comfortable to you – both physically and emotionally. Do you like the rooms? Do the labor and delivery nurses seem in tune with your child birth expectations and viewpoints? You should ask your doctor too – she may have a particular hospital that she likes best or is most comfortable with for various reasons (often related to experienced and well-trained nursing staff).
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