…. Here’s What to Ask.
- About how many births does this hospital have each month?
- What’s this hospital’s c-section rate?
- About how many nurses will attend to me during delivery? What times do shifts change?
- Will I stay in one room for delivery and recovery, or will I change rooms? Are private recovery rooms available? Can I see the recovery rooms?
- Can my husband stay in the room with me for birth and recovery? Where will he sleep? Is there a cafeteria? What do you recommend he brings with him?
- If I go into labor after hours what entrance should we use to get in to the hospital? Where’s the first place we should go?
- Where should we park, and how much does it cost?
- What’s the hospital policy on bringing in outside food, and on eating or drinking in labor?
- How many people are allowed in the delivery room?
- Do you have a policy regarding photos or recording video in the delivery room?
- Can I request that certain people not be allowed in the delivery room? (Residents, your mother-in-law)
- Will I ever be treated by students or residents? Can I decline being seen by students or residents?
- Do you offer doula services, breastfeeding support or postpartum home visits?
- Do you offer pain relief other than epidurals, such as water births, birth balls or TENS machines?
- Is there a Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)? What level is it?
- Is there a number or person I can call if I have any other questions?
Want to read more about preparing for delivery? Check out our book Great Expectations: Pregnancy and Childbirth, available online and in Barnes & Noble stores now!
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