Isn't it usual to be offered a Hospital tour?

[Norfolkbumpkin]

At my 24wk appointment last week my Midwife gave me the details of when our local antenatal classes start and their content. I asked if one of the classes would include a tour around the delivery suite etc at the hospital (Norwich) and she replied that they don't do these tours anymore and haven't done them for ages. This is my first pregnancy and both dh and I were a tad disappointed and anxious as we felt it would be reassuring to know the layout of the maternity unit, what's available and so on. Are hospital tours not the norm then?

I wasn't offered one - but I know people that persued this directly with the hospital. Ring your maternity unit direct and ask. They may be stand aloe rather than integrated into a structured antenatal class.

I still had one before I had DD last year - although it was somewhat half-hearted.

our hospital has turn-up-and-go tours - not at all connected to any antenatal classes.
Worth checking with the hospital themselves?

our hospital also does a "turn up at 2pm Sunday" once a month for anyone wanting a tour - not connected to any classes

Maybe we should contact the hospital direct. I just guessed that being a busy, working department they wouldn't entertain two numpties turning up for a look around. Perhaps they do organise for people to visit in a group, I didn't think of that (with my pregnancy induced custard brain it's hard to think of anything logical at the mo!)

They have just stopped the tours at the hospital here - a money saving plan I believe (they have also reduced the antenatal classes from 4 sessions to 1/2 day). But apparently it is OK because you can take an online tour now .

It makes me cross that women will now miss out and feel it is a real shame because the tour and classes really made me feel less apprehensive about going in to hospital when I was having DS.