Every expectant mom hopes for a perfect delivery experience. When it comes time for your baby to arrive, you want to make sure that you are birthing in a comfortable and calm environment. Choosing a hospital involves researching facilities, consulting your physician and developing a birthing plan that meets your needs for this important day.
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Choose Your Doctor First
Know the Facts
When choosing a hospital for birth, women need to look at more than just the amenities, says Deena Blumenfeld, Pennsylvania-based Lamaze certified childbirth educator. Ask questions about the hospital’s statistics, such as the number of C-sections performed, rate for labor induction and percentage of mothers who receive epidurals during labor, recommends Blumenfeld. “The answers to these questions will help women make an informed choice about their place of birth,” she says.
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Investigate Accommodations
As technology advances, so do birthing techniques and procedures. When choosing a hospital for your child’s delivery, research the equipment and technology used at each hospital’s maternity ward, recommends Dr. Erica Zelfand, family physician with Natura Integrative Medicine in Portland, Oregon. If you prefer to walk the halls while in labor, ask if the hospital has cordless fetal monitors. If you would like to video tape the birth, inquire about the technology available to assist with this request. Many hospitals also provide music players and special lighting that can help to calm you during delivery.
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