Choosing the Right Hospital

Choosing your hospital is just as important as choosing a provider. You will likely labor with the staff much longer than you will with your provider so be sure they can meet your needs.

Call the Labor and Delivery Department, take a tour, or visit their website to find the answers.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A HOSPITAL

-What kind of pain medication do you offer?
-What laboring tools do you provide (birth ball, stool, tub, etc.)?
-When are vaginal exams performed and are they required?
-How is baby's progress monitored?
-Am I allowed to eat, drink, and move freely?
-What are your C-section and induction rates?
-How do you support complicated births?
-Do you support breech births, multiples, and VBACs?
-What procedures do you follow immediately after birth for mom and baby? When do they begin? Are any of these optional?
-What security measures do you have in place?
-What do you provide during my stay?
-How are you prepared for emergency situations?
-Do you have a NICU?

These are all excellent questions to get a conversation started, but remember that your birth education and support system have an even greater impact on your experience than where you deliver.