Last week, Paul and I went to a free "tea and tour" at the hospital where we plan to have the baby. There were about six couples total. We got to see the maternity area and one of the suites so we could get an idea to what to expect. The birthing center has 13 suites, a waiting area with an aquarium, computer monitors so that nurses can check on patients at a glance. It was dimly lit and, surprisingly, very "cozy" and quiet for a hospital.
The suite itself has a mechanical bed so you can adjust it with a remote. The lucky father-to-be gets a chair that is supposed to convert to a twin bed, but really, it doesn't look very comfortable. There is a HUGE light that is stored in the ceiling that the doctor can bring down if she needs additional light-- it looked very much like the Millenium Falcon in Star Wars and I'm sure it will give the baby a nice suntan. There is a smallish tv and a VCR to watch movies that you can bring. The bathroom has a jet tub, which, I imagine could feel nice while you're in labor. I did take mental note to bring comfy socks and slippers for the cold, linoleum floor.
It's interesting to hear what people ask at these tours. They can reveal alot about the person asking. For example, one of the pregnant moms asked if they could bring their laptop and their gaming system-- and could the gaming system be hooked up to the tv in the suite. (I don't want to assume it's for hubby's sake. Maybe it's an alternative to the epidural?) Another couple asked of the hospital had birthing chairs. (The hospital doesn't.) The pregnant one of the couple shared with the group that she would probably need one because she has a varicose vein on, um, a certain part of her private area. (I'm sparing you the actual detail. But it rhymes with "baby-uh")
I know we're all pregnant and we're probably experencing a whole array of bodily functions, but really-- we did NOT need to hear about that!
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