Hospital Registration...Check

We're one step closer! Drew & I visited Overland Park Regional Medical Center yesterday for our maternity pre-admission appointment. While it wasn't all that exciting, I'd say it was a worthwhile trip.

• We learned that it takes 27 minutes from driveway to parking lot to get to the hospital. (Of course, that's in little traffic and perfect weather. Hard telling what January will bring.)
• We now know where to check-in, park, etc. depending on the time of day we are heading to the hospital ~ ER between 9 pm and 6 am, main entrance any other time.
• We filled out the beginning stages of the birth certificate and social security card paperwork.
• We authorized all of the treatments either required by state law or highly recommended at birth (hearing test, hepatitis B vaccine, Vitamin K injection, ophthalmic ointment, etc.)
• We learned about the security measures at the hospital once baby is born. As Drew said, he will essentially have a house arrest bracelet on his ankle. (For the first, and ONLY time!)
• We learned about the cafeteria and food service offered. They likened their hospital meals to a hotel's room service. You simply order off a menu and they deliver within 30 minutes. Seems to me they're pretty proud of that hospital food. And since I'm well-seasoned in hotel room service, I'll let you know how accurate their assessment is when the time comes. (Of course, the fact that she also said outside food from "your favorite restaurant" is allowed leads me to believe it's a lot more like hospital food than hotel food!)
• We learned that their standard hospital stay is 2 midnights after delivery and then you're out the next morning - depending on the type of delivery and any possible complications, of course.
• We learned that everyone has a private Labor and Delivery room where you will stay until 1-2 hours after delivery. Then you move to a private Mother Baby room for the remainder of the stay. This room includes a pull out bed for Daddy to stay 24 hours.
• Visiting hours are 10 am - 8:30 pm.
• Lactation consultants are available immediately following delivery and will make sure the baby is feeding properly before you are released from the hospital.
• We identified the pediatrician we want for our little guy while in the hospital.
• No tour this time. That's a separate appointment that we'll likely do in a few weeks.

All of that took about 15 minutes.

I found 2 things interesting about the visit.

1. While Drew was with me, and I'm glad he came, his presence was really unnecessary. I was shocked that of all the papers signed, not one required the father's signature. It's really all about the mother. Again, I'm glad he was there and heard all the same information I did - especially since I have a hunch the next time we're heading that direction I won't be quite as lucid. But it was clear that the father is not a necessary part of the equation at this point.

2. I got shivers up my spine when we walked into the hospital. I'm not really nervous about labor and delivery. Nor have I given it a whole lot of thought. But walking in the hospital was a total reality check that this baby is coming out. Soon.