Maternity Tour

Today I had childbirth/infant care class, followed by a tour of the maternity ward at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital. I'm very impressed with the private mother-baby suites. There currently are 12 rooms in which mother labors, delivers, and recovers, and there will be many more ready by June or July.


At Shady Grove, they never separate mother and baby (unless you do C-section, and then it's only for a very short time), so the baby even sleeps in the room. They have jacuzzi tubs in every room, which you're welcome to labor in. They can equip the rooms with squatting bars if you want to attempt giving birth that way. They also allow you to control the lights (high vs. dim) and play any music or dvds you want to in order to keep yourself relaxed.They have birthing balls (just a few) if you want to use those to keep relaxed, but suggest you bring your own in case they're all in use. All in all, I was very impressed and am looking forward to giving birth there.

Basically, the environment is much like being at home and you have freedom to labor in any way that you'd like to try. I'm pretty sure I'm going to try both the jacuzzi while laboring and the squatting for delivery. I'm really happy I chose this hospital and am looking forward to a "pleasant" birthing experience. Of course pleasant is in quotes, because I do know the reality of the pain and hard work involved!