Choosing a Birth Place
-What are the qualifications of the nursing staff? Have any had any midwifery training, if so, what type and length?
-How specifically will the nurse attend to your labor and delivery? Will there be one nurse assigned continually to you? How long are her shifts? Will care be continuous or intermittent, and how much hands-on support do they give? Will one nurse be assigned to the mother/baby postpartum for couplet nursing? or will there be several ob and nursery nurses?
-What are the birthing philosophies of the nurses?
-Does the hospital provide a LC if desired or needed?
-Do they welcome you bringing a doula in, and are they willing to work with a doula?
-Does the hospital provide a nurse to visit your home after discharge?
-Does the hospital have an LDR roomsuite? What si the criteria for using it?
-Whats the level of emergency O/B care? Is 24 hour anesthesia coverage avail in hospital or on-call? Are there facilities close by for emergency c/s? What's the rate of emergency c/s in the hospital?
-What level of newborn nursery care? (lvl 1 means only care for healthy newborns/non serious illnesses; lvl 2 means facilities and staff care for moderate illnesses and conditions -infections and prematurity- and specially trained nurses and neonatologists; lvl 3 means a nursery with full service intensive care unit and seldom is there any reason to transfer to another hospital for specialists)
-Where is the night entrence and what is the easiest route to the labor area?
-What degree of privacy will you have during labor?
-What facilities are availible for husband and doula and any other labor support people? (extra beds/couches)?
-What are policies regarding visitors (baby siblings and relatives?)
-What are the routine policies for fetal monitoring (electronic/nurse-at-bed using stethescope), enemas, stirrups, IV?
-How much freedom will you have to move during each stage of labor? What positions will you be allowed to give birth in?
-Is the nursing staff open to your birth plan?
-What snacks/drinks are allowed during labor?
-What are photo/video restrictions?
-How do you preregister?
-What forms can be filled out ahead of time?
-What are options/routines for newborn care, bonding after delivery, routine newborn procedures, rooming-in, and supplemental feedings?
-Does the hospital provide VCR/CD players or birthing tub?
-What classes are provided by the hospital?
What are usual costs and extras? Does hospital have full coverage for your insurance? What percentage of bill is covered?