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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Questions to ask on tour of The Labour Ward

17 replies

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 09:16

So I'm new to all of this, and will probably ask questions like 'do you have wifi?' and 'will my bed be turned down in the evening?'.

I'm having a look round 3 labour wards, the Whit, Chase Farm & Ridgeway Centre and Royal Free... if I still can't decide I'll throw Queen Elizabeth II into the mix.

Thought this was an occasion that definitely warranted a list, or even a clipboard... I'd be really grateful for some help in compiling a 'questions' list for these ward tours.

So far I have:

How many antenatal app through out?
Is there any parking?
At what stage of labour will I be able to come in and where will I be placed?
Policy on pain relief
How many midwifes will I see on average?
Will my partner be able to stay with me overnight?
If I deliver in the birth centre, when will I be transferred to the postnatal ward?
Visiting hours and number of visitors allowed

Would love to know any burning questions you would have. Thanks.

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fiftyfifty · 28/10/2010 09:29

I would ask about the availability of birthing pools if you are at all interested in using one.

Original poster

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 09:52

Yes good point- I would at least hope to labour in one.

OP posts:

cece · 28/10/2010 09:57

Parking is a good one and whether they provide free car park pass for labouring women and their birth partner.

Guacamole · 28/10/2010 10:07

Uuuuumm if my tour was anything to go by you won't get the opportunity to ask anything :( and we couldn't see a delivery room, because every single one was being used.

pinkyp · 28/10/2010 10:10

ask them what there policy is for how long you have to stay in

OmicronPersei8 · 28/10/2010 10:10

Can you turn up and go straight to the birth centre? I know at the Royal Free they have a triage system so it depends on how they assess you on the day.

How do they feel about active birth? Can lights be turned down? (in my experience, yes in birth centres, no in labour/delivery rooms)? Do they offer mobile epdiurals (obv not in birth centres)? If you have to be monitored (again, not birth centres), can you still be mobile/sit up/not lie down?

Can I have any antenatal appointments at the hospital (beyond the usual)? At my local birth centre you could go for your weekly appointments near the end of pregnancy, it meant when I did go in I had already met the midwife. I have no idea if other places offer this.

OmicronPersei8 · 28/10/2010 10:11

You can always save some of these questions for booking in or other MNers...

JennyPiccolo · 28/10/2010 10:11

pick the hospital that makes you wash your hands first.

Original poster

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 10:18

I'm reading more and more about being stuck in reception for hours before getting a bed. Not good.

Oh... epidurals of the mobile variety? I have got a lot to read.

I'm thinking getting to know a MW before labour will be very lucky indeed

OP posts:

hildathebuilder · 28/10/2010 10:22

I would ask how often they are full and close. Also what happend then. My local hosptial closes to labouring women about once a fortnight and then they get sent elsewhere. If you are making a decision between places you may just want to plump for the elsewhere!

lilly13 · 28/10/2010 10:32

I would ask the following:

facilities for premature babies and from what week these start (eg, 24, 28 or 32)?

blood transfusion facilities?

anasthetic team (how many anasthetialogists, etc)?

operating theater (take a look in case you need an emergency c-section) and ask how many people can be operated on at the same time, what is an average/longest ever (during busy periods) waiting time?

how many MRSA cases they have had over the past year/ past 3 years?

how many obstetritians on duty they have every day/night in case you need emergecy assistence?

do they have student medical doctors/wid-wifes working there?

good luck!

Original poster

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 10:39

Wow lilly13... worst case scenario but really important questions. Thanks.

OP posts:

Original poster

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 10:43

Builder- that's an important one round these parts. I've heard Barnet closes it doors on average 3x weekly. There was a poor lady who was transferred from the Edgware Birth Centre only to be turned away at Barnet. CF was 27 minutes in the ambulance where the baby was in distress and received no care, and sadly didn't make it.

OP posts:

japhrimel · 28/10/2010 10:51

FWIW most of your original/basi questions could usually be answered by looking at the hospital's website. I'd get as many answered online before you go as you can as you may not have the time to ask so many questions.

Original poster

Roopachoo · 28/10/2010 11:01

Will do that japhrime. I'll post answers once I get them.

OP posts:

twittergirl · 28/10/2010 13:02

I had my baby at the Royal Free. When I went on the tour it was very very busy and there wasn't much chance to ask questions. Also, regarding birth centre/labour ward, I wanted the birth centre but on the day there were no rooms free so I ended up in the labour ward. A lot of times you will end up just having to go with the flow, despite what they may have told you on a tour.

manchestermummy · 28/10/2010 19:53

Ask about feeding too, i.e. if you want to bf is there support, or if you're formula feeding do you provide your own. Support with bf is my no. 1 concern this time as I had none at all last time (other than a mw looking, telling me I was doing it wrong, and walking away) and failed miserably.

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