As we continue reentry to normal life after the pandemic, one very important service for expectant families has returned at many area hospitals—in-person maternity tours. These tours are an important opportunity for expectant moms and their family to become familiar with where they will be for their birthing experience; and just as important, these tours provide an opportunity for families to ask questions.
The goal of maternity tours is to provide a high-level overview of the logistics of arriving at the hospital once in labor, where to go and what will happen at each location, and to ask questions. Oftentimes, the information provided and seeing the places in the hospital where they will be relieves anxiety for moms-to-be, especially for first-time parents. Having this peace of mind is important to preparation and anticipation of their new family member.
In-person maternity tours usually last about an hour and are done in small groups. Registration for tours is typically on the hospital’s website, and tours are usually offered several times a month, on various days and times, and are free. The tours provide an overview of the logistics of when and where to arrive when in labor, and what happens in labor and delivery and then in postpartum care. Tours can also address logistics for both planned and unplanned cesarean section (C-section) births. Specific medical information is not included in these tours, as each person’s birth experience is different. However, most hospitals offer a wide variety of childbirth education courses to address the medical aspects of childbirth, so check your hospital’s website to learn more.
If your hospital offers in-person maternity tours, be sure to get the most out of the experience by asking these questions:
Arrival at the hospital
- Where do I enter the hospital when I arrive in labor?
- Are there wheelchairs available to get me to labor and delivery if I can’t walk?
- Where is the parking, and is there a fee?
- Can I register before I come, or do I register when I arrive?
- What information do I need to bring with me, i.e. photo identification, insurance card, etc.?
Labor and Delivery
- What floor is labor and delivery on?
- How many labor and delivery rooms are there, and are they all private with a private bathroom?
- How long will I be there?
- What features of the room allow for my comfort?
- Is there a tub for water labor?
- Does the hospital offer peanut balls, squat bars, or any other labor assistance devices, or should I bring my own?
- What is the visitor policy?
- Are there provisions for my support person to sleep over in the room?
- What should I bring in my labor bag?
- Do you offer skin-to-skin after baby’s birth for mom and support person?
- What are the security provisions for the baby once born?
- What is the security on the labor and delivery unit?
- Is photography/videography allowed?
- Is there Wi-Fi and/or Bluetooth? Free or a charge?
Postpartum care
- When are my baby and I moved to the postpartum unit?
- What happens there?
- What floor is it on?
- How many postpartum rooms are there? Are they all private with a private bathroom?
- How long am I in this area?
- What is the visitor policy?
- Are there provisions for my support person to sleep over in the room?
- What features of the room allow for my comfort?
- What should I bring in my postpartum bag?
- Can the baby room-in with me?
- Do you offer lactation support from Certified Lactation Specialists?
- What are the security provisions in postpartum care?
Cesarean-section (C-section) delivery
- Where do I arrive for a scheduled C-section?
- What happens there for my preparation and recovery?
- Can I have a support person with me in the operating room?
- Can we do skin-to-skin with the baby after a C-section birth?
- How long does a C-section take?
- Where do we go after the baby is born?
Neonatal intensive care unit
Does your hospital have a neonatal care unit (NICU)? If so, what level?
If not, and the baby needs specialized care, where does that happen? What hospital are we transferred to?
General tips and information
Remember that not all hospitals are alike, just like no birthing experience is the same. However, here are some general things to think about and be aware of as you tour. These things should all be covered in your tour, but ask if they are not mentioned. And, if your tour sparks medical questions, be prepared to write those down to discuss with your healthcare provider the next time you see them.
- Prepare your birthing plan and bring it with you.
At each step of your birthing journey, share your birthing plan with your care team. The team is there to assist in making this the experience you want it to be while prioritizing the health and safety of mom and baby.
- Hospital identification is key to security.
Whoever you interact with at the hospital should be wearing a hospital-issued name badge. Be sure to ask to see it if you don’t see it for anyone intending to provide care to you and/or your baby.
- Child visitation
Most hospitals will not allow children in labor and delivery. Be sure to have child care arrangements for siblings prior to coming to the hospital. This should be someone who can jump into action on short notice. In postpartum care, visitation by children is usually limited to siblings with younger children required to be supervised by someone other than Mom and Dad. Check your hospital for specifics regarding children’s visitation. Children are typically not permitted to stay overnight.
- Be aware of changes in visiting hours and policy
Especially during months where there is high respiratory illness in the community—but actually anytime—the hospital reserves the right to change visitation policy in the interest of patient health and safety. This can include change in visitation hours and/or masking, or any other reason deemed in the best interest of patients. Friends and family should check the hospital’s website for the most current information about this before coming to the hospital.
Some of the hospitals in the region that have reinstated in-person maternity tours include Inova Health System in Northern Virginia, University of Maryland Medical System in Baltimore and MedStar Health, which has locations in Baltimore, central Maryland, Washington, D.C. and southern Maryland. Check your hospital’s website for information about in-person maternity tour schedules and registration.
Lisa Clough is a health journalist and Certified Health Education Specialist
