Congratulations on your
pregnancy!
Did you know that according to a
recent survey, nearly 75% of expecting parents do not tour a maternity hospital
before giving birth? As an expecting parent in India, one of the most important
decisions you’ll make is choosing the right maternity hospital for your
delivery. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where
to start. That’s why it’s important to research and tour maternity hospitals
before making a decision. In this blog post, we’ll cover what to expect during
a hospital tour, what to look for, and provide you with a printable checklist
to take with you.
Researching and Touring
Maternity Hospitals
Before you start touring
hospitals, it’s important to do your research. Find out which hospitals are in
your area, what services they offer, and what their reputation is. You can ask
your doctor for recommendations, read online reviews, and talk to other
expecting parents. Once you have a list of potential hospitals, it’s time to
schedule tours. Some of the popular hospitals in metro cities in India include
Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare and Cloudnine.
What to Look For During a
Hospital Tour
During your tour, there are
several things you should pay attention to. First, find out about the
availability of private or semi-private rooms. Some hospitals may not have
private rooms, or they may be in high demand, so this is an important factor to
consider. Additionally, consider the availability of a neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU) in case of any complications.
Next, ask about the experience of
the staff. Find out how many deliveries they perform each year and what their
cesarean delivery rate is. In India, it is important to ask about the
availability of pain management options, such as epidurals, as it is not always
offered in some hospitals.
It’s also important to ask about
room amenities, such as comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and other
facilities. Additionally, consider the visitor policies of the hospital. Find
out how many visitors are allowed and what the visiting hours are. Try to get a
tour of the labour room too, but it may not always be possible to do so.
Finally, do check if the hospital
is in-network with your insurance provider in case you are working in a company
with group health insurance policies. Some policies may not cover hospitals
even if they’re popular. For example, Cloudnine was not covered by our
insurance policy when I gave birth to my daughter, but it was covered when I was
expecting my son.
A Checklist to Take Along
To make your decision easier,
we’ve created a checklist of things to look for during your hospital tour. The
checklist includes items such as:
·
Availability of private or semi-private rooms
·
Availability of a neonatal intensive care unit
(NICU)
·
Experience of the staff
·
Room amenities (such as comfortable beds,
private bathrooms, etc.)
·
What they will provide for the newborn (swaddle,
clothes, towels, diapers?)
·
Visitor policies (such as the number of visitors
allowed and visiting hours)
·
Availability of breastfeeding support and
lactation consultants
·
Availability of pain management options
·
Availability of water birth
·
Availability of doulas or birth coaches
·
Location and accessibility of the hospital
·
Cost and insurance coverage including approx.
cost of consumables
·
Safety measures in place for COVID-19
·
Meals and Facilities for Attendants
Choosing the right maternity
hospital is a crucial decision for expecting parents in India. By researching
and touring hospitals, you can ensure that you’re making an informed decision.
Remember to take note of the cleanliness and overall condition of the hospital,
as well as the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, the availability of
private or semi-private rooms, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and pain
management options. With the printable checklist provided, you can be sure to
cover all the important aspects of a maternity hospital and make the best
decision for you and your baby.
Do share your experience touring
maternity hospitals in the comments section!
