Labor & Delivery Tour

This past Saturday John David and I woke up bright an early because we were going to the hospital where I’ll deliver for a Labor and Delivery tour!

All was well, we made it on time and since it was cold outside and a little chilly in the hospital I kept my wool coat over my shirt & cardigan.

The nurse giving the tour came out and gave us and the 3 other couples a welcome and told us exactly where to go and what to do when we’re in labor. Then we walked through the locked doors and into the labor and delivery wing.

The first room we toured was the triage room where you first go so they make sure you are truly in labor before putting you in a room. Then we were off to see the c-section area (she just opened the doors leading to the operating room and told us what happens in the event of a c-section…all interesting because I had absolutely no clue what happens in the event of a c-section!)

Then we went into a labor and delivery room. It was very nice! She started showing us the computer, monitors that will be monitoring the baby’s heart beat, the IV machine, and going through what happens while you are laboring. Well, I started feeling funny! There was nothing that she said that I didn’t already know that would make me feel sick but I was feeling faint. I took off my wool coat and then sat down in a nearby chair. (And there were 3 other pregnant women in the room so I felt horrible doing that!)

The nurse finally finishes and we walk out of the room. John David kept asking me if I was okay and I kept assuring him I was. I gave him my coat and my purse and figured all would be fine. We decided that it was very hot in the l&d room and walking in the cooler hallway would make me feel better.

We got to the nursery area and then I started feeling really bad. I took off my sweater and leaned against the wall, feeling slightly faint but thinking I’d be okay.

Then it was time to tour the postpartum room. Well, I made it down the hall and to the room. I didn’t go in but instead sat down on the floor outside the room because I was about to pass out (I have a history of passing out…not often but I know the symptoms!)

The nurse saw me sit down and rushed out of the room, leaving the 3 other couples, to get me some ice and a chair. Meanwhile, I am incredibly embarrassed and couldn’t believe this was happening!

The ice helped me cool down quite a bit (and was very good!)

About 2 minutes later, the tour was over and the nurse insisted we come in the room and wait a few minutes before we left so I could fully recover!

Of course I’m thinking, great, I already have a reputation at the hospital! I felt like such a drama queen (which is totally not me) and it really was one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me.

The nurse was very nice and we think the heat is what triggered this “spell” coupled with the reality of actually being at the hospital. Then the fact that I am pregnant and have more blood in my body was probably the reason it took me about 15 minutes to start feeling normal again (typically when I feel faint, it takes a minute or two for me to recover!)

So, that’s the embarrassing story of the month, maybe even of the year! Hopefully my actual trip to the hospital to have Paxton will be much less dramatic and eventful than the “simple” tour of labor and delivery!

Here I am on Saturday!! (After recovering from the humiliation…)

Linked to: Friday Fails