Pregnancy & Baby 

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Hospital checklist

Are you getting ready for your baby's big debut? There are lots of things to remember, but iVillage has made it easier by sharing the questions mothers-to-be asked on their hospital tours

Print this list and take it with you on your visit:

Getting ready

• What is the address of the hospital?
• Where is the front entrance?
• Where do we park on delivery day?
• Do we check into the antenatal ward or go straight to Labour and Delivery unit after hours?
• What is the procedure for admission?
• How many people are allowed into the Labour Ward and Delivery Room?
• What security measures are in place for the maternity ward?
• How do you identify the people who are allowed to take the baby?
• What are the hospital's policies on pacifiers, breastfeeding and formula milk?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Where is the cafeteria?
• What is the process for obtaining food, and when is food served?
• Are special diets catered for?
• Where is the snack machine?

Giving birth

• What is the hospital's policy for constant electronic fetal monitoring (otherwise known as CTG)?
• What is the hospital's policy for having food or drink during labour?
• What is the hospital's policy regarding walking around during labour?
• What are my labour options?
• Is a birthing pool available?
• Are there telemetry monitors?
• Are 'mobile' epidurals offered?
• Is there an anaesthetist always available?
• What other amenities are available?
• What are the hospital's epidural and c-section rates?
• What is the hospital's neo-natal intensive care unit (NICU) level?
• What are the hospital's rooming-in policies and procedures?
• When will my baby be taken out of the room?
• Are there private rooms available?
• What do the labour rooms look like?
• Can mobile phones be used in the Delivery Room? Do we need a calling card?
• Will they give my baby eye ointment and vitamin K shots?

Welcoming baby

• Where should visitors park after my baby is born?
• Are video cameras allowed before, during or after birth?
• If I want to shower or have time alone, can my baby go to the nursery?
• When will we move to a recovery room? What do those rooms look like?
• Is there a lactation consultant on staff?
• Do you do car seat checks?
• What is the discharge procedure?

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