Hospital Tour-Come on Lucky #7

Last night we took a tour of the maternity ward at Walnut Creek Kaiser. They have 11 labor and delivery rooms that are huge, with hardwood floors, a fold out bed, a shower and a cool bed where you can also be in squatting position. The room we happened to see is the only one with a walk-in tub. This room is reserved on a first come first served basis for women who want unmedicated births. Woohoo! I just hope there is not a full moon around the time of the due date, lest we be competing with all the other election night babies.

There is a lot to remember about going to the hospital. There is a long list of things you need to pack including an ice chest for Husband. Husband also needs to bring a bathing suit because SOs are to be clothed at all times, and if he is hosing you off in the shower or in the tub or something, no one wants to see his willy if the nurses need to come in. The room also has varying ambient lighting, a flat screen TV and a VHS player. The view out the window is of 680. It's room number 7. I figure this is our lucky number since our wedding was 7/7/7 and Lucas can come from "light" or "luck," so hopefully we will get this room. I guess I can also stay in my big tub at home until we really have to go to the hospital for pain management.

I am still torn about who I want in the room with us or if it should be just us. I think they said you could have up to 5 people in the room. That might be stressful. She said I can change my mind whenever I want, though, so I'm sure if I need a doula, my mommy, daddy or ate, it will be OK.

Another reason I am typing this up is because I need to remember all the steps.

1. Call L & D ahead of time before you leave (bring paperwork and birth bag full of the million things you need).

2. Park in Stork Parking for up to 1 hour, or in the garage if there is enough time.

3. Enter through main lobby.

4. Three rights make a labor. After the first right, take the elevator to the second floor.

5. Knock on the triage room on your left to be admitted.

6. You forgot the rest, so ask triage people what to do next (the tour started at 7:45 and my bed time is 8:00).

I can hardly wait for that day to get here.