Save now with Mommy Deals >

tools: Pregnancy Checklist | Baby Name Finder | Baby Websites | How Big is Baby?

log in | register Track your baby's growth

Your Avatar

Sign up to get FREE personalized newsletters about your baby each week.

Enter your due date or baby’s birth date:

more in 3rd Trimester

Find baby registries & websites

Find a couple's baby registry. Enter parents' name here.

Create your own baby registry here.

Personalized Carry-All Tote

$24 each

$19.99 each

Buy Now

Tractor Bank

$21.95 each

Buy Now

Mary Jane Socks

$29.5 set

$24.99 set

Buy Now

Jordan Reversible Blanket

$25.95 each

$12.99 each

Buy Now

Sponsored Links

you asked...

Q&A: Maternity ward tour questions?

I'm touring the maternity ward soon. What questions should I ask?

Re: I'm touring the maternity ward soon. What questions should I ask?

The Bump Expert

Since getting your questions answered is the whole point of taking a maternity ward tour, planning them out beforehand is definitely a good idea. Here are a few to get you started: 

[  ] When we arrive, do we need to check in at the front desk, or can I waddle straight to the maternity ward?

[  ] What are the policies on cameras and video cameras?

[  ] Are cell phones allowed?

[  ] Will baby be able to stay in my room the whole time?

[  ] Can daddy stay the night?

[  ] What are my chances for getting a private room? Will my insurance cover it?

[  ] What sort of breastfeeding support is offered? How does it work?

[  ] Where and when are my other children allowed to be with me?

[  ] Is there any extra paperwork involved to get my partner’s name on the birth certificate? (If you aren't married)

[  ] Can I pre-register a couple of weeks before delivery? (Getting some of the legal hoopla out of the way can be very freeing.)

The Bump Editors | May 13 , 2009 1:17 PM

re: Q: Maternity Ward Tour Questions?

Here's some questions that will get your tour guide upset:What is the caesarian rate?What is the episiotomy rate?What are their maternal and infant mortality rates?Will I be able to labor at my own pace or willI be put on a time limit?Can I give birth here without fetal monitors and other unnecessary intervention?How many people are allowed in the delivery room?Can the expectant father or birth partner accompany the baby at all times while it's being bathed, etc.?Is the pregnant woman allowed to move around freely and bathe or shower during labor?Can the woman choose to give birth in the position most comfortable for her?

Mitzie | February 24 , 2008 8:24 AM

re: Q: Maternity ward tour questions?

I've been reading on various sites that new moms should breastfeed relatively soon afterwards. I know my MIL/DIL will be dying to see the baby. Not comfortable with them being in there for delivery or while I'm learning to breastfeed. How soon after birth do we allow them to come into the room?

BabyMama! | October 26 , 2008 1:30 AM

re: Q: Maternity ward tour questions?

I hope the tour guide doesn't get upset asking those questions Mitzie! If so you may want to look around for another hospital or birthing center. On my tour this week most of those questions answered with out the tour guide being prompted for them by us moms....but she answered all the questions we asked. The ladies on my tour put her through the ringer with questions too! Babymomma- This was one of my top worries too! I was told we can set a time for family to come back after we've gotten our selves cleaned up, baby checked out, and the first feeding done. Just write down your concerns in your birth plan and the nurses should be on board with you and your wishes!

youngmomma | December 03 , 2008 12:58 PM

re: Q: Maternity ward tour questions?

Another question you girls may want to ask is, if you're at a teaching hospital, what procedures are done by the attending vs. the residents. I found out that I am going to have to specifically ask for an attending to do my son's circumcision because they have the residents do it all with an attending looking on. That goes for your epidurals too. I don't know about you, but I'd much rather have someone more experienced doing a delicate procedure like an epidural. I've seen too many anesthetic mistakes to think otherwise!

babybumpjoy | January 08 , 2009 4:49 PM

re: Q: Maternity ward tour questions?

Though about that circumcision--you might want to consider that some of the attendings haven't done them themselves in years whereas the residents do 30-50 a month in some places! Ask about actual recent experience.

JodieD | April 15 , 2009 11:06 PM

re: Q: Maternity ward tour questions?

Some more questions:Will I be allowed to eat and/or drink during labor?Can I plug in my CD player/ipod station into an outlet?Will the hospitalist/on-call doc go along with my birth plan if my midwife/doctor is not there?If your doctor/midwife will do a water birth make sure that the hospital allows it too.Can we delay all procedure/exams for baby until after some bonding time?Will the nurse be comfortable with a birth plan that may include things they aren't use to if my midwife/doctor has signed off on it? (Usually better to be somewhere that is already aligned with your beliefs but that isn't always possible).

clw85254 | May 28 , 2009 6:40 PM

Q&A: Maternity ward tour questions?

I wasn't permitted to tour the maternity ward because of the H1N1 paranoia. It was a couple months ago, maybe they've eased up now.

titania9 | February 01 , 2010 11:39 AM

Q&A: Maternity ward tour questions?

I also would not have been able to take a tour because of the H1N1 scare - I decided to wait it out and now the hospital has finally dropped the restriction. I'm really excited to go next Sunday!

Hammee | June 03 , 2010 4:12 PM

popular questions

recently added questions