Being Pregnant
On Delivery Options…Not All Hospitals Are Created Equal
Hospital Hallway - photo by Bubbels
Giving birth is one of the most magical, wondrous of life events. The joy of bringing a new life into the world defies description…there simply are no words to adequately convey all of the emotions that burst forth when you first lay eyes on your child.
Just as every child is unique, each birth is as well. Sometimes they go perfectly according to a well-considered birth plans; other times adjustments have to be made to accommodate changing situations.
I’ve home birthed my babies…each has been a wonderful experience and the perfect way for our family to welcome its newest member. We were at home, surrounded by loved ones and familiar surroundings, and attended to by a highly skilled midwife. Bringing my child into the world in a hospital just isn’t my first choice.
That being said, I know a home birth isn’t everyone’s first choice. Sometimes a hospital is needed for medical reasons or simply desired by the family to achieve a level of comfort they wouldn’t find at home.
If there were a medical issue with my pregnancy or baby, I’d absolutely be at a hospital for that delivery. But I wouldn’t be at my local hospital…my husband and I would be driving far past that one to get to a different facility.
Why? Not all hospitals are the same. Not even close.
I have a friend who gave birth in a lovely mother-baby wing of her local hospital…each woman had an individual room that was huge and appointed like a high-end hotel room, complete with jetted tubs that could host a party and gorgeous wooden furniture. Another friend had her first born in a maternity ward that looked like any other sterile hospital room. Do these things matter? Of course! Who wouldn’t want the more luxurious digs?
But more important to me is the overall culture of the hospital: its capabilities, staff, procedures, protocols…there is a lot to consider beyond aesthetics.
Many women don’t realize they can “interview” hospitals just as they do potential physicians. Take a tour of the facility, and ask questions. Are they open to observing personal birth plans? Can you have a midwife? Doula? If not, what is their protocol for deliveries? How many friends/family members are allowed in the room during labor? Delivery? Will they allow the baby to stay in the room full time?
What about you? What matters to you when considering how and where to welcome your new family member to the world? What questions would you ask while interviewing a hospital? Midwife? Doula?
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5 Comments
Lolli @ Better in Bulk commented on Sep 14 11 at 11:30 amHow I wish I had had a choice! When I was in labor with my 5th baby, I had to wait in the lobby til a room opened up. After my baby was born, I recovered in the pediatrics ward because the mother/baby unit was full. I did not enjoy my hospital. The hospital has since been completely redesigned so that moms can recover in private rooms (i always had a room mate). If only I could do it over…
leah commented on Sep 14 11 at 11:37 amWe’re choosing our living room, or maybe the bedroom, even the kitchen could do ;). It’s the best choice for us, but if we have to transfer we have the most “baby friendly” hospital in the state less than a mile away.
AngEngland commented on Sep 14 11 at 11:53 am@Lolli – Hindsight is 20/20. :-P I think every mother has moments she wishes she could change, but it’s part of our story and I think that’s OK.
@Leah – Wow! Talk about the best of both worlds! That is fabulous!
Erica Mueller commented on Sep 14 11 at 12:50 pmWe decided against or local hospital and opted for one 45 minutes away because of the options…
The hospital we chose has private rooms where you stay the entire time. No labor and delivery, then change to recovery. You can feel at home in these rooms with a nice chair, a couch daddy can use for a bed, and your own bathroom with a nice shower. The rooms are big too!
Also, this hospital allows you to have anyone you want present at birth or immediately afterwards. They follow your birth plan if at all possible and they treat you with respect.
Or local hospital? Not a friendly place.
LaLasha commented on Sep 14 11 at 8:23 pmI had my first child 90 min from home because I trusted the staff in part because I was born there I had my second 15 min from home. I will have my third at home.
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