What hapens in hospital?

[natalie_1982]

I have my 34weeks appt this week so can ask the midwife, and will be going on the hospital tour soon too, but I just wondered what your experiences were with being at hospital? I intend to give birth at hospital, and I know to recognise when I should be ringing the midwife, etc etc and I know how to prepare for the baby's frst few hours and journey home, etc, but what will happen in between me having a big belly and then a baby?

In all honesty I don't really know what a delivery suite is other than, I am guessing, it is a room that I actually deliver in. It seems i need two bags, a hospital bag and a labour bag. What will I be doing in each room? I don't know the process for a "normal" labour atall.

Sorry if this is a daft question, or doesn't make sense

TIA X

[DSJ]

All will be revealed when you go on the hospital tour and you'll be able to ask questions then if there is anything you are still uncertain about. Good luck.

[hippyhoppy]

It's a good idea to write any questions down that you think of on the run up to your visit, that way you get all the information you need without having to remember everything (if that makes sense!?). Nothing to worry about though....

[redcrx]

they will tell you a lot in the coming weeks. Theres no point in telling you too early (especially if your pregnancy brain is like mine is) as you forget.

They will give you a tour, show you the basics of equipment and talk through roughly what happens.

You need a labour bag for you, a bag of baby bits and bobs and then perhaps keep clothes for a couple of days in a 3rd bag (keep in car) in case you need to stay in a bit and dont want hubby going home to get things.

An ideal would be that you manage to get to 4/5cms at home and then go in and straight to labour ward to give birth and then recover on maternity ward.

You will have the number of the maternity ward and should you be unsure about any pains or possible waters breaking then call them and they will get an idea of what you need to do just from the details you give to them.

If you think your contractions have started then time them and see what the pattern is, if moving around or sitting down stops them then chances are you have a while to go.

[Ice.Maiden]

The delivery suite is where you'll actually have your baby. Remember to take some sweets/sandwiches/drinks in your bag for afterwards. I always find that giving birth makes you hungry afterwards!!
You'll then be taken back to the ward with your baby, where you have chance to rest up a bit, feed/bath him or her - and if you haven't already had it - get a nice cup of tea! If everything goes OK, once a blood check's been done on the baby, and a paediatrician's checked it's legs/hips and given the all clear - you can go home! A one night stay is quite usual though. best of luck - x

[natalie_1982]

ice.maiden, I would have given you 100 stars if I could, that made me chuckle "I always find that giving birth makes you hungry". That tickled me.

For the past 7months, breathing has made me hungry, so I should imagine that hours and hours pushing something the size of a melon out of a hole the size of something very much smaller, should work up an appeitite somewhat :-D

[Louisa 69]

hi natalie lol no it's not a daft question i felt exactly the same way when i was expecting my first.

It depends on what the hospital policy is. I was lucky that when i had both of my children i was able to spend my labour in the delivery room, though i have heard that some women labour in the ward and are taken to the delivery room at a later stage. When you go on the tour of the hospital they'll be able to explain what happens.

Once you get settled in it's the usual checks ie blood pressure an examination, again i'm not sure if all hospitals follow the policy of hooking you up to the fetal monitor constantly, but they did with me, which kind of restricted my movements somewhat.

Take a magazine or book in with you or music to listen to, just something to help pass the time.
Good luck natalie xx

[Lorrymac]

Hi Natalie - think it's only manners to add to your post seeing as you're doing so on mine!

we visited the maternity unit last week and were shown a delivery room. I know all hospitals are different but i did find them quite small - the mahoosive bed doesn't help! we were also shown the water bath and i was disappointed there too - the room was quite small and they showed us a mat (much like the ones you used to have in PE at primary school!) that went on the floor if you chose to get out the water to give birth... i didn't like it and it felt cramped. i've chosen therefore to last at home as long as i can. i'd rather have my own bed to lie on, my own furniture to hang on to, and my own space rather than be confined to one room - the hospital has a policy about not being allowed out your room which i think will send me crazy!

at the end of the day, i can only play it by ear (as we all can) but like a few others have said, you'll probably feel better once you've seen where you're going to end up. my midwife was better at answering my questions about coming into the hospital rather than the day we looked round so ask her everything next time you see her. xx