Thread: Hospital tours and preparing for being there?

I was wondering how many of you took you kids to see the hospital where you will/were planning to give birth?

Sofie will be 23 months old when this baby is born, and I was thinking it would be nice to take her into the hospital a week or so before the birth (scheduled c-section) and show her around the maternity ward. This way she will be more prepared when she comes to see me there with the new baby.

Or is this just going to confuse her at such a young age, or even worse unsettle her? Has anyone else taken their young kids in to see the hospital where they will be staying after the birth?

And what should I be doing to prepare her for Mummy being away for a week? So far I have spent the grand total of one night away from her since she was born (and tha was only because of a bloody security alert at Heathrow!).

DH will be at home the whole time, so her routine won't be changed at all, but how do I prepare her for coming to see me in hospital and then leaving again?

I haven't mentioned it yet as it is too far away (for a child of her age) and I don't want to make a big deal of it.

The only thing we have changed so far is that I sleep upstairs in the thrid floor guest bedroom once a week, so Sofie only has Daddy to deal with her during the night (we still co-sleep part time) and then get breakfast in the morning. Not to mention that I get a long and peaceful lie in!!

Should I be doing more?

Hi Fiona,
DD was the same age as Sofie when DS was born. We didn't take her to the hospital as such as we went straight home after DS was born. We did however want her to be a part of the birth, but not the whole birth so we planned for the two Grandmas to look after her while I was in full on labour and the Midwife was to phone them just before the birth and they were called in just as he was being born. She had her own special baby doll to feed while I breastfed after the birth and she was able to hold him and it was really lovely that she was able to be a part of it. I was a bit worried how it would affect her but we had no jealousy issues when we were all settled in at home and they have a pretty close bond when they're not fighting LOL.
I think its a good idea to take her for a visit to the hospital, even just to give her some familiarity. My only other suggestion would be to have a special doll like DD did and/or have a present with you at the hospital for Sofie from the baby and maybe a special bag with some goodies inside for her.
Good Luck
Luv Jo xxx

I can honestly say that we ahve not even thought of it, Ebony came with me to the birh centre when I had my scan and again when I had an antenatal check and blood tests done, all the time we were there dh was telling her that this is where mummy will come when the baby is ready to come out!
But then my situation is a bit different to yours as I hope to only be in the birth centre as long as needed, If I deliver early morning I would like to be home the same day if all is well.
Also Ebony is a bit older than Sophie and does understand if mummy is not around for a bit, as long as shes got her daddy shes fine.
I'm sure Sophie will be none the wiser that your away.

You know Sofie best. If she likes to know whats happening- and I think most kids do. Showing her the hospital may work well. Although it may be not exactly how you would have planned a birth, a scheduled section, means that you can accurately predict a timescale for Sofie.
If I wewre in your situation, I think i would take Sofie to see it, but not more than a week before, maybe even 3-4 days before, explaining that Mummy and baby will be staying there a little while ( just like Mummy did when Sofie was born) and that Sofie will visit every day and then go home with Daddy .Even if she doesn't quite like the idea, a few days to get her head round it will make things much smoother.
My DS always seeems happier when he has an idea of what will be happening over the next few days. Also bill it as fun time for daddy and Sofie and that she has too look after daddy for you

I think you should take her to show her where the new baby will arrive but she may get confused when you all leave together this time without the baby and then next time she visits she'll be leaving you there with the baby and not coming home with you , iyswim . Toddlers have a very short imagination so don't do it too long beforehand. ds was older but still seemed puzzled and upset to go home each time without us. Not sure how best to tackle it but codul you get some story books to read together about the experience (Usborne Experiences or Topsy and Tim perhaps). Definitely prepare her for the new arrival , a friend didn't even discuss it with her ds, he just suddenly had a sibling appear one day, and that error has cost them dearly as the two don't get on well.