https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:16:13 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483937 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 22:43:08 +0000 catomd00 2483937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do it and had no problem finding my way to L&amp;D when the time came. I didn't see the point in it to be honest. There's always someone around at a hospital to point you in the right direction. I would have found it more helpful to do tours before I decided where I was going to deliver so I could comparison shop. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483818 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 20:12:04 +0000 ShootingStar 2483818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought the tour was interesting and useful, I'd think as a first time mom you'd interested. But it's not necessary, you will eventually figure out or be told everything they go over on the tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483791 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 19:44:58 +0000 Finfan 2483791@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did it with #1 and it helped. We did not do one with #2 (different hospital--we moved) and it probably would have been wise. We had been to that hospital building for other surgeries. It was fine though. Information told us what floor and which elevator to take and they let us double park since I was in so much pain. DH moved the car after I was in triage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483545 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:47:07 +0000 kodybear 2483545@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was helpful so we knew where to go and where to check in and what to do if we have to go after hours (different entrance) . But i think we would've figured it out without the tour, eventually. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483506 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 15:25:20 +0000 JenGirl 2483506@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I told my husband that it was completely his responsibility to get me to L&amp;D in the most direct way possible. If he could figure that out from the website, so be it. But I warned him that if I was in labor and we showed up and he didn't know where to go and we had to walk all over the hospital, I would be pissed. He then chose to do a tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483432 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:57:28 +0000 Ginabean3 2483432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did for my first and it was super helpful. I didn't for my second (different hospital) but I had been there so many times for monitoring (OB is in the exact same building as the hospital) plus my DH now works at this second hospital so he knew the ropes of where to go. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483413 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:52:15 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2483413@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Interesting, you learn what to expect which for me is calming, especially because I had a couple health issues pop up my second pregnancy and I wanted to ask a couple relevant questions. But not necessary at all. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483380 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 14:41:48 +0000 Mommy Finger 2483380@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It was an absolute must on my end. I needed to see everything before I got there to give me piece of mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483110 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:10:28 +0000 KT326 2483110@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We never got around to it and it was fine. But my OB is in the Women's Hospital so I was kind of familiar with the area anyway. I did get sent down at 36 weeks for a NST because my blood pressure was high so I did get a little mini tour of the area. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483103 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:07:05 +0000 lamariniere 2483103@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it both times (different hospitals), but could have done without. The most important thing for me was to know exactly how to get to L&amp;D. The first time it was useful. The second time I took an ambulance so they wheeled me to L&amp;D and I didn't have to think about it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483100 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:04:42 +0000 jhd 2483100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did it. We were also able to fill in some paperwork ahead of time which was great. DH liked that he knew exactly where to go and what to expect, although I'm sure we could have figured that out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483097 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 13:03:56 +0000 misolee 2483097@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did it with our first. Husband should def pay more attention.</p> <p>We didn't with second bc it was same hospital just three years later. Well, we had a really fast birth where my water broke in the lobby (but we were in wrong lobby), hubby parked on wrong level and he had to go move the car during delivery, etc etc. </p> <p>If the hospital is big and complicated, I would do a tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483080 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 12:55:37 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2483080@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@petitenoisette: so true. I listen to hypnobirth tapes nightly and immediately imagine myself in the L&amp;D room from the tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483065 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 12:46:25 +0000 Corduroy 2483065@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have your husband do it. I can't believe I ever forgave mine for ditching ours. He parked on the wrong side of the hospital, couldn't find a wheel chair, and then we did one of those movie scenes where the woman is crowning as she's being pushed in a wheel chair through the hospital. Granted that was my second birth and that's unlikely with your first. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2483052 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 12:41:36 +0000 gingerbebe 2483052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't do it. We went to L&amp;D a few times for other health situations and while we never needed to go past triage and thus was never admitted, that was enough for us to know where to park and how to sign in. I ended up staying in the hospital for a week and had to truck through the L&amp;D ward, the OR for my emergency C-section, the NICU, and mother/baby recovery ward (all on different floors) it was a non-issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482938 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:38:53 +0000 alphagam84 2482938@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did an in person tour and it was so helpful to me. I like to know as much in advance as I can and it helped us be prepared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482930 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:36:07 +0000 Mamag511 2482930@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did and it did make me feel better to know where to go and everything. But, the main reason we took it is because I had a lot of anxiety about people that I didn't want coming into the delivery room. It helped to assure me that no one could just come back if I didn't want them too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482898 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 11:22:29 +0000 pachamama 2482898@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Beemer: we took a childbirth class at my hospital which introduced us to the hospital policy. It is good to know how the hospital deals with procedures and their policies so you know what to expect during labor. For example their rate of episiotomies, if they allow food, visitor policy, if they let you walk, and their c-section / induction rate. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482844 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:55:51 +0000 winniebee 2482844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't do one with either pregnancy (different hospitals). For my first, I had planned one, but then was hospitalized for preterm labor at 30w, so didn't need one. With my second, I didn't think it was all that important, even though it was at a different hospital. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482819 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:42:07 +0000 petitenoisette 2482819@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked the tour, it helped to visualize where we would be for the birth. It was included as part of our birth class at the hospital. I remember seeing a mom in the waiting room in labor, and the birth class teacher was like, she'll be going home! ha! It was a good indicator at least that that wasn't what it's-time-for-the-hospital labor looks like :silly: </p> <p>My hospital has two maternity floors, one is newer and much nicer so on the tour they're only allowed to show the older floor! So when we ended up on the newer floor I knew how good we had it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482811 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:38:03 +0000 pastemoo 2482811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Beemer: It was fun and a highlight of our prep. Totally unnecessary but very settling and I'm glad we did it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482783 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:25:30 +0000 BSB 2482783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was hospitalized and put on hospital bed rest at 28 weeks so I didn't have an official hospital tour. The nurses did give me a tour when I asked. </p> <p>I didn't have any issues with the hospital. I was pretty much go with the flow and only had a few items on my birth plan, which couldn't follow due to me having premature twins. All was good, no regrets. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482774 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:20:44 +0000 tinyperson 2482774@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did it, and it was useful. I delivered at a downtown hospital that's busy with tons of traffic around, and parking nightmares. It made us a lot less anxious to know the best entrance, how parking worked, which doors were locked after a certain point in the evening, and where to go once inside. It was also nice to see the rooms and know what to expect in general. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482750 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 10:08:12 +0000 hellobeeboston 2482750@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i didn't do it at either hospital I delivered at... I just asked where to go when I was in labor! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482722 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:56:33 +0000 Mrs.KMM 2482722@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I took one and it was fine but it was definitely not a necessity. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482718 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:54:46 +0000 Mrs. D 2482718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't exactly..... but a little past 20 weeks I experienced some abdominal pain, and went to emergency. THey sent us over to the childrens/Womens hospital and we went though the building to get checked out.<br /> We took parenting classes, and one was at the hospital so people could get pre registered to make delivery day easier. But there was no tour. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482694 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:45:21 +0000 snowjewelz 2482694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked it and needed it! As a first time mom I felt more prepared knowing where to park, where to go, what the rooms looked like, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482693 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:44:46 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2482693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I found the tour helpful since I didn't know anything about how the hospital or procedures. Taking the tour allowed me to voice my birthing desires from a place of knowledge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482687 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:43:57 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2482687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I liked taking a tour. It was helpful to hear about some of their policies and procedures for while we would be in labor. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-important-is-a-hospital-tour#post-2482680 Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:41:13 +0000 mrsrain 2482680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I liked taking the tour-- they were able to answer some questions and it gave us a good idea of what we can expect. That said, with my first we did not take a tour because we had planned to give birth at an independent birth center. We ended up transferring to hospital due to high bp, and it really didn't affect our experience that we hadn't toured. </p>