Hospital Tour Of L&d -> Questions To Ask?

Hello! This is my first time posting a question here. My husband and I found out we were having twins at my 18 week routine ultrasound. We were completely shocked to find out as twins do not run in either of our families. We are still not sure if they are identical or fraternal. With the huge surprise of finding out that we were having twins, we also decided to wait for the surprise of the genders as well.

I am 29 weeks now and we will be touring the L&D floor of the hospital we will be delivering at on Tuesday. I was wondering if there are any specific questions we should ask the nurses during the tour about twin deliveries? Eg: Do we have to deliver in the operating room? I guess I want to have a list of questions prepared as this would be a good opportunity to find out as much as I can so that I can be more educated on what to expect during a twin delivery.

 

I mostly got that sort of question answered by my midwife. But it was good to understand the flow of L&D on the tour. Plus finding out what they had in the rooms and such.
Merijo

 

I AM 27 WEEKS PREGNANT WITH B/G TWINS. I AM ALSO A L+D NURSE. SO ALL MY CONCERNS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE WORSE CASE SENERIO.THE UNIT WHERE I WORK IS AN LDRP WHICH BASICALLY MEANS LABOR ,DELIVER, RECOVER AND POSTPARTUM ALL IN ONE ROOM. ON OUR UNIT EVERY TWIN DELIVERY IS DONE IN THE OR. WHICH IS THE SAFEST WAY. IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG AFTER THE FIRST BABY COMES OUT, EVERYONE IS STERILE AND READY TO GO FOR THE C/S IF NEEDED. SOME GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK WOULD BE: IS THERE 24 HOUR ANETHESIA, AND 24 HOUR IN HOUSE DR COVERAGE? MEANING IS THERE SOMEONE THAT CAN GET THE BABIES OUT IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY. SMALLER HOSPITALS CAN NOT PULL OFF C/S UNTIL THOSE PEOPLE CAN GET THERE. IF YOUR PLANNING ON BREASTFEEDING ASK IF THERE IS A LACTATION CONSULTANT ON STAFF IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE.
GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY YOUR TOUR
MELANIE

 

1) Will there be access to a lactation consultant? Breast pump? Can you rent breast pumps?
2) Will delivery have to take place in the OR?
3) How many people can come into the OR with you? (In case you want your mom in there with you.)
4) Can DH spend the nights in the room with you?
5) Who will be in the OR with you (neonatologist?, etc.)?

Gosh I can't even think of anything. Maybe I forget!!!

 

I think Kate offered some really good questions. You might also ask for a tour of the NICU - just in case. If you don't want to tour the NICU, maybe they can answer questions about the NICU like what level they are, what circumstances might require transfer of the babies to another hospital, what the procedures are for NICU visitors. In fact, you might want to ask what the procedures are for regular nursery visitors too. Also, what security measures do they take for making sure no one walks off with the babies - matching wrist/leg bands for mom, dad, and babies; security alarm if baby band crosses doorway; etc.

Congrats!

 

make sure that you know the visiting hours! when i had my first son i was told that all visiting hours stopped at 8pm so that the mothers and babies could rest, but when i went in and had my son there were people in and out of there ALL night! family friends and more. so i had to tell people to come back another day or wait until i got home.

i learned my lesson that time for my 2nd and 3rd children and told the nurses that if anyone but immediate family came that they were to be told to try again at another time or to call or wait until i got home. it is your birthing experience and some can handle a lot of company but i'd imagine with having 2 babies that you are going to want your privacy!

and ask about the picture services. i never liked any of the pictures that either hospital that i delivered at did but if you want pictures done you can get the forms and fill them out way before you get to the delivery room! and that is one less thing to do while in there resting and being with your babies!

hope that helps a little!
lots of love!
meshell

 

Jennie-OH, Thats a good question regarding the safety/security in the hospital concerning the babies. Thats pretty freaky to think that someone could possibly walk away with your baby but definitely good to ask about it. I have my tour of the L&D soon as well so I'm trying to think of some good questions to ask too.


Netty

 

Honestly - my most important question was "when do I get my epidural"?
Lucky for me with my son I got it when I was dialated to 2 - only because that is how long it took the for me to get into the bed and lye down!

Also try to see the configuration of the hospital. I really like mine because the NICU is right next to the OR and directly across from the birthing rooms.

 

Find out where the nearest fast food restaurants are, what time the cafeteria is open. Husband's need to eat too. Tour the NICU. Also, find out what level of NICU is in the hospital. If it isn't a 3 or 4, ask where your babies would be transported if there was something seriously wrong. Find out if the OR is on the maternity floor or not. (That was a nice touch for us- the OR was 30 feet from my room).

 

This is great! I want to thank all of you for the questions you provided. There were a few that I didn't even think of yet. I have written all of my questions down and will be sure to ask the nurses tomorrow during our tour.