Hospital tours-what should I ask/look for?

[purpleaura]

The title says it all really. DP and I are going to look around 2 midwife led units next week (1 attached to a hospital, one not) and I'm hoping that some of you more experienced ladies will be able to advise :)

bump :)

Tbh just let them show you round. They answer most things I thought. You're in a group usually.

Car parking: can a sign be left on car "in labour ward" so dh doesn't have to run back at bad moment.

I would ask how long a transfer would take if you chose the standalone MLU and had to go to a consultant-led unit in labour.

I would ask about staffing levels and whether midwives ever had to care for more than one labouring woman at a time.

I'd ask about BF support available postnatally, and whether you would ever be expected to be apart from your baby (some places still expect you to leave your child alone at mealtimes, for example).

I'd also ask about visiting hours for dad, and other friends/ relatives.

I'd ask about pain relief options available in each setting, plus facilities such as pools/ big baths/ radios etc. in rooms/ birthing balls and similar.

Finally, I'd ask whether, if you give birth on a CLU, you could opt for postnatal care on an MLU (sometimes staffing levels and BF support available are better on the MLUs.).

That's very reassuring Dacky, hoping the tours should be quite enjoyable and exciting!

Theseboots- great questions (...grabs pen and paper...), all things I wouldn't have thought of. Thanks so much for your kind replies :)

Ask if all the rooms have the same equipment (often they show you the best/whatever's free at the time).
What is provided (nappies/maternity towels)
Visiting hours (particularly for partners)
What happens if they are full when you go into labour

Thanks Tarka- v useful advice, duly noted :) 1st tour on Wed- looking forward to it :)

Hi! I have a hospital talk and tour coming up and this thread has been super useful for me also. Hadn?t thought of half of the questions mentioned! Good luck with yours Purpleaura. When are you due? I still have two months to go till baby arrives but starting to get a little anxious now. From what I hear it?s all about birthing centres but it?s all dependent on your situation at the time.

Glad it was useful to you too ExhaustedMama. I love mumsnet- people are so incredibly helpful!

I'm 30 weeks at the moment, due in early September, so must be similar to you? I think I'm getting more and more excited as well as anxious over the little details. July is full of antenatal classes and hospital tours, so hoping to feel better informed very soon :)

The big decision for us is whether to go for the MLU with or without a hospital attached. I'm pretty sure that the one without will be nicer (they have double beds so dads can stay over and all MW are trained in aromatherapy-mmm!) but given this is going to be DC number 1, I'd feel reassured by the hospital being next door! What choices do you have?