Hospital Tour...

With Phil being on strict bed rest from here on, I'll be soloing some of the upcoming events. The first of which is the hospital tour of Florida Hospital. The hospital tour was really informative and answered many different questions, some of which we didn't think about. So why the tour? Isn't Phil going to be birthing at the Birthing Cottage? Well, yes and no. I think I need to come up with a diagram or flow chart to explain our predicament...yeah that would be a great idea :) But until then, this is how it flows:

If, we went full term, which is considered 37 weeks - 40 weeks, then we will be able to deliver at the Birthing Cottage.

If, we are delivering at the Birthing Cottage and need to be transferred to a hospital, then Florid Hospital it is.

If, we are early, then we have a choice of the 3 hospitals. One of the 3 is close to where we live, but all are reasonable close. Furthest one being 15-20 minutes away.

So that's that. Now back to the tour. It was pretty good. They did some renovating and the place looks great. There is still some construction going on, but over all, it doesn't interfere with the running of the hospital.

What I didn't like. Okay, so maybe it's where I parked. Maybe there is a closer parking, but man the parking is bad! They do have valet, but let's take where I parked, and apparently where the majority of people on the tour parked. The over head walk across to the hospital from the parking garage was located on the 3rd fl. 1st and 2nd fl was valet parking, and 3rd was handicapped and few regular parking and of course the place was packed. Then the walk to get to L & D (labor and delivery) was quite a trek. I made the walk with a lady who was going to be in the same tour and she was 37 weeks pregnant and with twins!!! She was ready any minute now and there were no wheelchairs or anything. We brought up this concern on the tour and they are aware of it and made mention about the valet service and calling ahead they could have a wheelchair waiting. Is that good? Eh, I guess so. Also the recovery rooms were tiny. About half the size of a regular hospital room and more narrow. I guess we could all fit, but a narrow bed, a portable baby's crib, and a cot for dad, it there, comfortably? Doubtful, but I guess during that time, attentions would be on the baby. Oh, and throw in visitors in the room, man it would be tight. They do however, provide a suite at a first come first serve basis. It's the size of a regular room.

Over all, the staff that I saw were pretty friendly and the environment in a whole was very positive. They offer some of the freedoms of birthing that we are looking for and really stress breast feeding and bonding with the baby, if all is good, right off the bat.

So that's my take on the tour at Florida Hospital. Below are some pictures I snapped.

Peace Out Folks

Chris C