Last week, Tim and I took a tour of the hospital where we plan to deliver the boys. We found ourselves constantly looking at each other and smiling because so many things are different from the hospital we delivered our daughter Sofia at. We delivered our daughter Sofia at Germantown Methodist Hosptial in Memphis, Tennessee and we were lucky enough to be some of the first people to deliver in a brand new wing of the hospital. We received EXCELLENT care and were very happy with our experience, the day my daughter was born was the best day of our lives.
Touring the hospital in Madison was similar in many ways but different in others. A brand new Women's wing is opening in the beginning of August. Unfortunately, I don't think we'll make it that long, we are more likely to deliver towards the end of July. Anyways, let me highlight some of the differences we noticed....
-Diapering: The hospital does not even carry disposable diapers, they use cloth from the very beginning. They feel that they can monitor the bowel movements and wet diapers more accurately with cloth diapers.
-Rooming in: We had Sofia "room in" with us in Memphis. I just couldn't take my eyes off of her and I wanted her by my side constantly, especially for nursing. The only time she wasn't with us was when they bathed her and performed her exam and heel prick. We plan to do the same with the boys which is good because this hospital said they really want the babies to stay with their parents as much as possible, if not all the time.
-Placenta: The hospital offers to save the placenta if you have a religious or other type of need for it. Tim and I won't be saving the placentas but nonetheless we found this interesting.
-Food: I remember Tim having to leave my hospital room to get food for himself. This hospital encourages you to order enough food for you and your spouse so you can stay together.
-Whirlpool tub: The hospital has a tub for you to labor in if you desire. As of right now it looks like I'm having a planned cesarean but I probably would have enjoyed using a tub with Sofia's birth.
-CELEBRATIONS!- Celebrating after the birth is not only ok, but highly encouraged. Our tour guide said you can bring wine, beer, champagne, whatever you desire. She did ask that people don't bring tailgating coolers to the rooms though. This comment got a good laugh out of our tour group.
-Hats- Instead of a generic hospital hat, the hospital allows you or the babies' sibling to choose hand knit hats made by volunteers in the area. I thought this was awesome!
-Support for partners: The hospital is very supportive and respectful of traditional and non traditional partners and the role they play in the birth and recovery.
We had another doctor's visit yesterday and at 33 weeks twin A is measuring 4lbs 7oz and twin B is measuring 4lbs 5oz. Twin A is still breech and at this point it is highly unlikely that he'll flip again so our doctors are planning on a cesarean. They even penciled us in! I am a bit disappointed that I will have a cesarean but I understand that a breech birth is not good for either me or the babies. Even though it was a lot of work, I thoroughly enjoyed going through the experience of labor, pushing and birth and I'll never forget when Sofia was born and put on my chest. Our eyes met immediately, Tim watched over my shoulder, and I felt the most intense love I've ever felt in my life.
As long as the boys are healthy I should be able to hold them very quickly and they will even allow Tim to have "kangaroo care" time with the boys immediately after birth. Some people think it's a silly concept but I'm a firm believer in skin to skin bonding and baby wearing.
It seems as if things are finally falling into place. Tim had another interview this week and we should hear the results by Tuesday. We are weeks away from meeting the newest members of our family and it feels really good to be home in Wisconsin. Now we just need to find a place to live and move either when I'm very pregnant (like we did with Sofia) or with two newborns and a 16 month old. All we can do is laugh at the situation and thank God that we have the help and support of family and friends.
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