Questions to ask when choosing a hospital birth

Which issues are important for your choice?

• Is the hospital reachable easily?

• Equipped well to handle emergencies?

• Specialists available?

• The delivery rate takes place at the hospital each year? (More deliveries mean more experience with various birth scenarios.)

• Is a nurse available for you, or do you have to share her?

• Check the hospital’s statistics/experiences for caesarean sections, episiotomies, and mortality?

• How many labour and support people may be present for the birth?

• What procedures are followed after your baby’s birth?

• Can you breastfeed immediately?

• How long is the typical postpartum stay for vaginal deliveries/caesarean sections?

If more questions occur, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or try, if available, a hospital tour to ensure yourself.