Do I Need to Take a Hospital Tour?

This is a question many first time parents ask. There are different options depending on where you are giving birth -- virtual, group or private tour. The hospital tour is an optimal time to find out how your desired birth fits into the hospitals policies and procedures.

Lamaze has created a webcast that offers insight on how taking a hospital tour can impact your labor and birth experience, the best questions to ask during a hospital tour, and tips for getting the most out of your hospital tour. Webcast presenter Allison Walsh is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and Manager of Parent Education and Lactation Services at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City.

During the webcast, you will discover:

• The importance of taking a hospital tour before the big moment arrives
• Tips on preventing the "mad scramble" to the hospital
• Key issues to explore when on your tour
• Tips to learn about hospital and provider policy on labor support, mobility, nutrition, comfort measures, breastfeeding and many more

For an additional hospital tour resource, check out the Lamaze tip sheet: Tips on Getting the Most from Your Hospital Tour.

About Allison Walsh, IBCLC, LCCE

Allison is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, Board Certified Lactation Consultant, mother of three and the Manager of Parent Education and Lactation Services at Beth Israel Hospital in New York City. As a childbirth educator, hospital administrator and delegate to the United States Breastfeeding Committee, she has been advocating for safe and healthy birth initiatives in hospitals and care centers for most of her career. Allison's focus is implementing evidence-based maternity and surgical practices, and reaching international, national and state breastfeeding goals.