Hospital Tour

Dear Sweet Pea,

Yesterday evening, Daddy and I went for a tour of the labour/delivery and maternity wards of Burnaby Hospital. It was recommended that we do this at some point by our midwives, just to find out what we can expect when your birthday finally arrives! We were shown and told exactly where to check in depending on what time of day we arrive, where we should park, and what will happen when we arrive. We were shown one of the birthing suites which are actually quite large, and each one has its own bathroom with a large walk-in shower (easily big enough for two people). There are CD players in case we want to bring our own music, and I was assured that the lighting can be dimmed in the room (this is really important to me - I can't stand the thought of labouring in a room with bright florescent lights shining on me the whole time)!
Next we were taken to maternity, where I'll spend 2 days if I have a vaginal birth (fingers crossed!) or 3 days if a C-section is required. Time spent in the hospital could go up or down though, depending on how well (or not) baby and mom are doing. We were shown the differences between a ward room (3 moms), semi-private (2 moms) and private (1 mom) rooms. I am covered under Daddy's benefits for a semi-private room, but we may pay the small difference for a private room, if one is available. There would be a lot more space and privacy this way.

Its no secret that I'm not really looking forward to being in a hospital. This will be the first time I've stayed in one, and I just don't like the almost institutional feel, or the smell! At least the birthing suites have some color on the walls so its not stark white everywhere. The upside of course is that if there are any complications once I've been admitted, they can be dealt with right away. I do also like the fact that laughing gas is readily available in each birthing suite! It would just be nice to cuddle you in my own bed, get to eat my own food, and just be in a more comfortable environment. Hopefully Daddy will be more open to a home birth for your little brother or sister sometime down the road!