When it comes to choosing a practitioner or a Gynecologist, it is a matter of trust and feeling comfortable, sometimes your Obstetrician have a preference to a certain hospital, where you don't have a choice, but in some cases you have the choice to chose the hospital where you wish to deliver. It is very important that you schedule a meeting with the maternity staff where you will be delivering, and below are some information that you might inquire about to help you gain a clear idea about the process:
1- What is the admission procedure at the hospital? means, what you should do once you are in labor?
2- What paperwork is required before the admission to labor room? and what are the required documents, Insurance cards, ID...etc
3- What is the admission procedure during the day and during the night admission, in case you checked in as an emergency?
4- What is the protocol for Anesthesia, do the hospital have a specific timing to start an Epidural anesthesia, some hospitals do not start epidural before you reach 4 cms.
5- Meet the nursery staff (nurses who will be taking care of your baby once born)
6- You must inquire if the hospital has a pediatrician on call, or a medical resident always present on spot in case an emergency arises.
7- Do the hospital have a specific neonatal unit to take care of premature or babies with special needs?
8- Check out if the hospital give infant formula or rely on exclusive breastfeeding, and if you need to bring in the formula and milk bottles or they will provide it, the world health organisation recommends exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 2 years old.
9- Ask if you can keep your baby at your room all the time, which is preferable since new born babies are new to this world and they want to feel secure next to their mother.
10- You must also inquire from the maternity staff which items you should bring with you to the hospital once you check in for delivery: these items starts with baby's clothes, diapers, towels...etc, have a checklist done so you won't forget anything, the bag which should go with you to the hospital must be ready starting the 7th months.
11- During delivery, can your husband attend, or a family member? does it apply only to normal delivery or cesarean as well? and if the delivery can be taped or photographed?
12- Can you husband or any of your family members sleep at your room at night?
13- How many nights can you stay for normal delivery and how many for cesarean?
Finally, birth is a very special moment, you can enjoy it if you are well prepared :)
Good luck
