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By Cheryl Bac
E-mail Cheryl Bac
About this blog: I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, home cook, marathon runner, and PhD. I recently moved to the Silicon Valley after completing my PhD in Social Psychology and becoming a mother one month apart. Before that, I ran seven marathons incl...
(More)About this blog: I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom, home cook, marathon runner, and PhD. I recently moved to the Silicon Valley after completing my PhD in Social Psychology and becoming a mother one month apart. Before that, I ran seven marathons including Chicago and Boston. Exercise is an integral part of my life. I hope to one day go back to long distance running and tackle the New York City Marathon. Right now I run after my one year old son. Although I am a stay-at-home mom, we are rarely "at home." My mom also stayed at home with my brother and me. She warned me that, although rewarding, it can be isolating. So, with her help, I learned the importance of getting out into the community and meeting other mothers. On the rare occasion when I am at home and have a hand or two free, I squeeze in time to scrapbook. As a new mom, many challenges are thrown my way. I hope my opinions, triumphs, and struggles help experienced parents reminisce, new parents cope, and parents-to-be get an honest glimpse of what the first years of motherhood can entail.
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Is It a Hospital or a Hotel?
Uploaded: Aug 2, 2014
Before our son was born my husband and I, like many new parents, took the hospital's child birthing class. The class was led by a nurse who clearly has a passion for making pregnant women feel comfortable and heard. She gave us a wealth of information in a calming and relaxed voice. She thoroughly answered all of our questions. And she always had a positive attitude. Many of us felt so comfortable with her that we wanted to specifically request her to be present during our own labors and deliveries
Our instructor led us on our hospital tour when I was very pregnant with our son. I was extremely lucky to be giving birth at a brand new hospital. Not only was it equipped with top of the line technology, but mom's comfort was also clearly a priority. She showed us how wires and most hospital equipment was hidden behind beautiful nature paintings on the wall. Each laboring mother had access to a large whirlpool. And, depending on how crowded the hospital was, you could even request a room with a garden view.
My husband remembers the accommodations for spouses also being a priority. Extra beds that appeared large enough and somewhat comfortable were provided. And the rooms were spacious enough to not only accommodate mom and baby, but also dad and everyone's belongings.
After touring the hospital, I felt a great sense of relief. I could picture myself giving birth there. Now, when I talk about my son's birth with other moms, I sometimes slip and say "at the hotel" rather than "at the hospital." This mistake is not far from the truth.
I recently toured the hospital where I will deliver baby #2. I'm lucky to be delivering at a hospital with fantastic doctors and technology. And I am confident that my doctor will do everything in her power to help me deliver a healthy baby, but touring the hospital left me feeling underwhelmed. The hospital environment was far from relaxing, comforting or calming. This time around I doubt that I will mistakenly say "hotel" instead of "hospital" when I tell others my birth story.
I'm thankful to have a few more weeks to get more comfortable with this different hospital, its facilities, nurses and protocols. As a second time mom, I forget that some of the things I took for granted the first time around (access to a birthing ball) are not readily accessible everywhere.
Did you switch hospitals between births? How was the experience for you?
Community.
What is it worth to you?
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