Labor and Delivery Room Tour: What to Look For

While viewing the labor and delivery room look for:

• Cleanliness: Are the equipment and supplies well organized?

• Ventilation: Is the room stuffy? Chilly? Humid? Does it have fans or its own temperature control?

• Privacy: What measures will be used to provide a comfortable birth experience?

• Light sources: Is the lighting adequate for the staff to see what they are doing? For your family to take pictures?

• Newborn equipment: Look for a resuscitation table with a heat radiator and fetal monitor, and ask about other newborn equipment and supplies.

• Visible wall clock: To monitor timing of the big day.

• Safety: Ask about infection prevention and control measures.

• Entertainment: The waiting process can be long; does the room have a TV, music player and other things to distract anxious parents?

• Comfort: Does the room offer comfortable chairs for family members? How many visitors will the room hold?

Tools of the Labor and Delivery Room

If you become familiar with tools used during delivery, you might feel more comfortable during your own labor and delivery. The nursing staff and doctor normally wear sterile hats, masks and gloves to prevent infection. Other tools you might see before delivery:

• Amniotic hook: a long crochet-like hook used to break the bag of waters early in the delivery process

• Forceps: to change the baby’s position or guide the baby’s head through the birth canal

• Hemostat: a clamp used to contain bleeding, hold sutures and clamp/cut the umbilical cord

• Scissors: if an episiotomy is needed

• Speculum: to help the doctor get a better look at your cervix, just as he or she does during your regular well-woman exam

• Sponge holders: similar to forceps and used to hold gauze

• Sterile laparoscopic sponges: to control bleeding

• Sterile water: to keep everything clean during the delivery process

• Sutures: to stitch a tear or episiotomy

• Vacuum: to help the baby through the birth canal, if needed (it might result in a temporary ‘conehead’ because the baby’s head is very soft and pliable)

Although the labor and delivery room is a clean and sterile environment, it should feel warm and comfortable. Your baby will take his or her first breath here, and you will meet him or her for the first time! Don’t hesitate to ask questions during your tour. You deserve to know what to expect in the labor and delivery room.