Is it too early to visit hospitals?

[poppyseed1663]

Hello! I am 5 weeks pregnant and know that I will have to choose between two or three hospitals in the future. One of the hospitals has a tour of their maternity services this week. In your opinion, it too early for me to go to one of these? I want to be as informed as possible before I choose but don't want to look overly keen (even though I am!) Many thanks for any thoughts!

Congratulations! I would say you need to wait - that is very early! Your midwife will advise.

I would find out how often they run. In general I would say it is pretty early but I was asked at my booking in appointment at 8 weeks whether I had a preference of hospital yet. There could be people not even pregnant on the tours, if you're in an area with 2 or 3 hospitals; our area is similar, 3 hospitals all equidistant from our town.

Sorry meant to add. It wouldn't / shouldn't make a difference to your care if you don't decide until later on where you want to go. I only know because it's my DC2 and I want to go back to the one where I had DC1

In theory it shouldn't matter if you don't decide yet but on the other hand, it may be nice to have your 12 week scan done at the hospital you choose to use, so that might be something to consider. We had our scan date come through shortly after my booking appt.

Thank you for this! I had a feeling I was being a bit hasty (guess I'm just nervous as it is my first pregnancy). I am seeing the doctor later this week and so I will put the breaks on until at least then!

Many thanks.

Just to add that some hospitals may not actually let you on a tour at this point. I chose my hospital at my booking in appointment but still had to wait until I was past 30 weeks before they'd let me do the tour!

I got asked on the phone when making my first midwife appointment which hospital I wanted!

I was asked which hospital I wanted to give birth at at my booking in appointment with my first pregnancy. There are two big ones here.

I was annoyed to be asked in that way and made that clear.

By my fourth pregnancy I was pleased to note they had taken it on board and asked me if was planning on giving birth in a hospital and if so which one.

I'd say at five weeks absorbing information isn't a bad thing but mind and options well and truly open - it's VERY early.

It is early, but why not do it while you feel well. If they'll let you then why not. My view was even if this one didn't stick, I still want a baby so still relevant. It's your pregnancy to do as you feel right.

I was asked at my GP appointment when I first got pregnant which hospital I wanted out of a choice of 3. I was then referred there for the booking in appointment, so it might be useful to have an idea which one you want to go for.

We weren't offered tours until quite late in the pregnancy at least 30+ weeks.

Thank you for all of the comments. I will speak to the doctor and see if I can go on tours before I start to feel unwell. I have heard both good and bad stories about all of the hospital choices so would be nice to get a feel of them.
Thanks again.

When I went on the hospital tour I was 20+ weeks but the other ladies were nearly ready to pop

My hospital will only book you on the tour if you're over 25 weeks.