Did you have a tour of the labour ward before you had your baby?

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I’m sure my friend did; vaguely remember her talking about it. I don’t want to message her and randomly ask! I had my children post Covid so I think that it all changed then, or is it still a thing in some places?

We visited the labour ward on a nhs course for expectant mums. That was in 2011 though.

It wasn’t routinely offered to me - child born in 2022, but I didn’t ask for it either -may have been facilitated if I asked?

I know they do show some people theatres if they’re going to have an elective section. Why do you ask OP?

Oh, no real reason. Am reading a book and the character is pregnant and given a tour of the labour ward and I remembered my friend had had one but I didn’t (children born 2020 and 2023.)

Mine were born 2024 and 2025 and I’ve another due this year and I’ve never been offered but they’ve only just started offering antenatal classes after stopping the
during covid so it’s a possibility you get offered a tour if you go to those now

Yes but mine were born in 2008 & 2010 - I enjoyed it and really appreciated seeing it in advance so that it’s not all new or a surprise during one of the most vulnerable times in your life when everything else is also unknown!

Nope. Didn’t know it was a thing

My first was born in 1998 and one of the antenatal classes was a tour round the maternity ward and delivery suite.

No but it was 25 years ago .

I had my kids in the early 2000s and we had a tour each time.

Mine were born early 2000s. Had no idea that was even a thing.

No, had home births.

Yes, during one of the antenatal classes 30 years ago.

Mine were born in 2018 and 2019, I am sure we had a look round the midwife led unit as part of an antenatal class, but not the consultant led unit, which is where I actually ended up with DS.

I think it was generally a thing pre Covid but not anymore. I remember it was suspended during Covid at my local hospital and never brought back.

It was quite common 15-20 years ago but not really now, some hospitals do virtual tours or for those under perinatal mental health midwives by special arrangement or if has been decided would be especially beneficial

Yes I was in 2015 but only because my maternity unit then closed mid way through pregnancy so they offered all mums transferred to the other hospital to visit the unit

No. Not a thing here and tbh it would be a waste of time. NHS is busy enough.

I did with my first in 2013, it was part of a pregnancy/childbirth course I did at the hospital for the last few weeks of pregnancy.

ETA had my subsequent babies at the same hospital in 2022 and 2025 and it wasn’t offered, not that I needed it by then!

My dd was born in 2002 and I didn't have a tour. It wouldn't have occurred to me that this was a thing.
Maybe it was different for different hospital trusts.

I did and it settled my mind on a home birth. This was early 2000s so ages ago.

Yes but this was back in 2005. Like others it was a visit with the ante natal group. I just remember feeling bad as we walked through one ward and some poor new mum was sobbing on her bed. I’m sure she didn’t need half a dozen pregnant women traipsing past!

I'm sure I was offered that 30 odd years ago but couldn't be arsed with the journey. Guessing all labour rooms look pretty much the same anyway.

I did for my third baby. I decided on a water birth and then after asked many many many questions on what if I poop in the pool I decided against it. Glad I had the tour and found that out before the day 🤣

All of my children were born either during or post Covid. Just a virtual tour of the ward available and no NHS classes available.

I did when I had my first in 2003.

I don't remember being offered when I had my second in 2008, but I assumed it was just something for first time mums who wouldn't know what to expect.