September 16, 2009
Here is a Method That is Helping Moms 2 Be!
SMART Tips for Taking a Hospital Labor and Delivery Tour
One of the most magnificent moments in a woman’s life occurs in a hospital delivery room, yet most women do not take advantage of viewing the location in advance. Many hospitals offer free tours of their labor and delivery suites, and expectant families should take full advantage of this opportunity. Most labor and delivery suites look like master bedrooms and offer LDRs (labor, delivery and recovery rooms) equipped with a birthing bed, so mothers can remain in one room during their entire hospital experience. Here’s what to do!
S = Seek information regarding the nurse-to-patient ratio. The ideal situation is one nurse managing one laboring patient; however, a labor room nurse should never be responsible for more than two patients at one time.
M = Make certain that you visit the LDRs or birthing rooms, the operating room, the hospital registration office and the nursery. Also inquire about fetal monitors (machines that measure babies’ heartbeats and mothers’ contractions). Do they have alarm systems that alert hospital staff when a baby’s heartbeat becomes abnormal?
A = Ask what kinds of perks the hospital offers, such as a special entrance for mothers in labor, special parking areas or valet parking, rocking chairs or birthing balls in the LDR, or access to high-risk specialists in the hospital. Does it have a level 3 nursery or 24-hour anesthesia coverage? What is the visitor policy?
R = Request to see a demonstration of the nursery security policy. Most nurseries have very detailed security measures to ensure the safety of newborns. Does the hospital have a cyber-nursery with infants’ pictures on the hospital Web site? Does it offer a newborn channel with up-to-date movies on caring for newborns?
T = Take time to speak with nurses from both labor and delivery and the nursery to ask questions. In the event of unforeseen emergencies, it is always helpful to have a pediatrician readily available as opposed to having to locate one at the time of delivery.
An advance tour of the labor room not only removes the mystery of the unknown but provides a firsthand view of where your baby will make his or her grand entrance.
www.smartmothersguide.com for more useful mommy tips!
Health News Roundup: Best Prostate Cancer Treatment; Top Pregnancy Tips; Diabetes Drug Kills Cancer; Veggie Burger Recipe said,
September 16, 2009 at 2:41 pm
[...] Top 5 pregnancy tips from an expert: Pregnant and overwhelmed? Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway has the Smart Mother’s Guide for you. From visiting birthing rooms to requesting to see the nursing security policy, this top doctor has realistic tips for expectant mothers. [Dr. Linda Burke-Galloway] [...]
Knitted in the Womb said,
September 25, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Hmmm…somewhere along there you missed asking questions about some things that might actually matter. All the “cyber nurseries” and “valet parking” in the world is meaningless in a hospital with a 40% cesarean rate.
I encourage women to inquire about the cesarean rate at a hospital. In addition to that, asking whether midwives attend births at the hospital, if a Jacuzzi is available and what the restrictions are on its use, whether residents attend births, how many support people the laboring mother will be allowed to have with her, and whether the baby will be able to be placed on mother’s chest and remain with her until the first feeding is completed (in accordance with AAP guidelines) are issues that will have real medical impact.
drlindagalloway said,
September 26, 2009 at 1:51 pm
What’s equally important is whether the midwife will have an ob-gyn readily available in the event of an emergency. And what’s MOST important is that mom has a HEALTHY baby via vaginal delivery or not; in an environment that’s comfortable and safe.