Ante-natal wards

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Hi all,

I've just been given a date for my induction due to late onset gestational diabetes.

I'm seeing the midwife the day before my induction so will ask her my questions then, but I wondered if Mumsnet might be able to help put my mind at ease early doors!

1. Hospital food - I've heard that hospital food isn't great for a gestational diabetes diet - should I try to bring some food in with me?

1. I've been told to pack for a 3-5 day stay at the hospital. Is there room to bring a full size suitcase? I don't know whether my husband can visit or not (due to Covid; I will also on Sunday as the website isn't clear) to bring in fresh supplies. Will a suitcase fit under the bed?

1. Do share wards offer any kind of secure storage? I want to take my phone and iPad but don't want to leave them unattended.

1. Will I be able to shower as and when or is this restricted due to it being a shared ward?

1. Do most hospitals let women go outside for walks before they're induced or will I be stuck sat on a bed?

1. Has anyone been induced recently? Was your partner able to visit on the antenatal ward prior to active labour?

I had a home birth with my first baby with no interventions at all - I'm quite nervous about this induction as GD can cause some scary complications.

I realise that all hospitals may vary their policies, but I am just trying to get my head around this change.

TIA x

Induction doesn’t mean your stuck to the bed regular mobile monitoring will happen

Take food hospital food is vile

You can shower

Partner allowed when your in active labour unless your own hospital restrictions have been lifted

Defo take your own food, hospital food is pretty rank and its just nice to have food that you'll enjoy. When I was induced I ended up missing meals as I was transfered around wards at mealtimes.
Showers on my shared ward were accessible whenever.
My bit on the ward only really had room for a small suitcase. You could pack one with most of your supplies and leave a top up in the car. Even if your husband is not able to come in and visit you could do a quick bag swap.
I was allowed to wander around prior to being put on the drip

Hi,

Thank you for the replies!
I'm heading in tomorrow morning hopefully (staff and bed dependent)!

Good luck today OP, I'll be thinking of you

Thanks @Nannylp
It was actually much better than expected!
I went in at 11 and went straight into a labour room which I was in until my Abby was born. My waters were broken at 2pm and I then went for a long walk at four pm. Labour started and 5pm ish and my baby was delivered by 6.55pm and all was well.

They let my husband stay for the whole induction and it was only when I was moved to the post natal ward that he was asked to leave.

There's only one other woman on the PN ward so I didn't even go for a private room!

Thanks for the advice and good wishes!