Questions to Ask During Your Hospital Tour

Questions to Ask During Your Hospital Tour

A hospital tour can help you feel more prepared before your baby arrives. Instead of wondering where to go, what to bring, who can be with you, or what happens after birth, you can ask questions ahead of time and understand how your hospital or birth center works.

For first time moms, a hospital tour is more than a walk through the labor and delivery unit. It is a chance to learn what to expect, understand hospital policies, and feel more confident before labor begins.

This guide shares important questions to ask during your hospital tour, including labor room questions, pain relief options, C-section policies, visitor rules, newborn care, postpartum recovery, and what to pack.

Important: This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, midwife, hospital, or birth center.

If you want to record your hospital tour notes, birth wishes, and final pregnancy memories, explore the Momentiqa Pregnancy Journal Book here.

When Should You Take a Hospital Tour?

Many expecting parents schedule a hospital tour during the third trimester, often around 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. This gives you enough time to ask questions, prepare your hospital bag, review your birth plan, and understand where to go when labor starts.

If your hospital offers virtual tours, online classes, or printed guides, those can also be helpful. Still, a live tour or Q&A session gives you the chance to ask specific questions about your birth preferences.

Questions About Arrival and Check-In

One of the most helpful parts of a hospital tour is learning exactly where to go when labor begins. This can reduce stress on the day you arrive.

  • Where should we park when I am in labor?
  • Which entrance should we use during the day?
  • Which entrance should we use at night?
  • Where do we check in?
  • Should we preregister before my due date?
  • What documents should we bring?
  • What should we do if my water breaks before arriving?
  • When should I call before coming in?

MedlinePlus suggests asking your healthcare provider how to know when it is time to go to the hospital and what to do if your water breaks or you notice bloody discharge.

Questions About Labor Rooms

Your labor room is where you may spend many hours, so it helps to know what is available.

  • Are labor, delivery, and recovery in the same room?
  • Will I move to a different postpartum room after birth?
  • Is there space for my partner or support person to sleep?
  • Can I dim the lights?
  • Can I play music?
  • Is there a shower or tub available?
  • Do rooms have birth balls, peanut balls, or other labor tools?
  • Can I bring my own pillow, blanket, or comfort items?

Questions About Movement During Labor

Some moms want to move, walk, sway, or change positions during labor. Mayo Clinic notes that standing or walking during the first stage of labor may help that stage go faster for some people. Ask what your hospital supports.

  • Can I walk during labor?
  • Can I change positions during labor?
  • Can I labor on a birth ball?
  • Can I use the shower for comfort?
  • Can I push in different positions?
  • Will monitoring limit my movement?
  • Are wireless monitors available?

Questions About Pain Relief Options

Even if you are planning an unmedicated birth, it is helpful to understand all available pain relief options before labor begins.

  • What pain relief options are available?
  • How long does it usually take to receive an epidural?
  • Are IV pain medications available?
  • Do you support unmedicated birth?
  • What comfort tools are available for natural labor?
  • Can I use breathing, movement, massage, or counter pressure?
  • Can I have a doula present?
  • What happens if I change my mind about pain relief?

ACOG recommends asking what tools a hospital or birth center has to support childbirth without pain medication if that is part of your plan.

Questions About Monitoring and Exams

During labor, your care team may monitor you and your baby. Ask how this works at your hospital.

  • How often will my baby be monitored during labor?
  • Do you use continuous or intermittent monitoring?
  • Can monitoring be wireless?
  • How often are cervical checks usually done?
  • Can I decline or delay certain checks if medically appropriate?
  • How will the team explain what is happening?

Questions About Birth Plans

A birth plan is a simple way to communicate your preferences. ACOG offers a sample birth plan that includes preferences like moving around during labor and drinking fluids during labor.

  • Do you accept printed birth plans?
  • How should I share my birth plan with the team?
  • Who reviews my birth plan when I arrive?
  • Which birth preferences are usually supported here?
  • Are there policies that may affect my preferences?
  • How are changes explained if birth does not go as planned?

You can save your birth plan and hospital tour notes inside the Momentiqa Pregnancy Journal Gift Set. View it here.

Questions About C-Sections

Even if you are planning a vaginal birth, it is helpful to ask what happens if a C-section becomes necessary.

  • What happens if I need a C-section?
  • Can my partner or support person come with me?
  • Can I have skin-to-skin after a C-section if safe?
  • Can photos be taken in the operating room?
  • What does recovery usually look like?
  • How long is the typical hospital stay after a C-section?
  • How will feeding support work after surgery?

Questions About Newborn Care

After birth, your baby may receive routine newborn care. Ask what is standard at your hospital and what options you may have.

  • Can I have immediate skin-to-skin if baby and I are stable?
  • Can newborn checks be done in the room?
  • What newborn procedures are routine?
  • Can we delay baby’s first bath?
  • Will baby stay in the room with me?
  • Is there a nursery if needed?
  • What feeding support is available?
  • Can a lactation consultant visit before discharge?

Questions About Visitors and Support People

Visitor policies can vary by hospital and may change over time. Ask before your due date so you can prepare family and friends.

  • How many support people are allowed during labor?
  • Can support people switch during labor?
  • Are doulas allowed?
  • What are visitor hours?
  • Are children or siblings allowed to visit?
  • Are there restrictions during flu season or other illness outbreaks?
  • Can visitors come during postpartum recovery?

Questions About Postpartum Recovery

After birth, you will need time to recover, bond with your baby, and learn newborn care basics.

  • How long do most families stay after vaginal birth?
  • How long do most families stay after C-section?
  • What postpartum supplies does the hospital provide?
  • What should I bring for postpartum comfort?
  • Will nurses help with feeding and baby care?
  • What warning signs should I watch for after going home?
  • What discharge instructions will I receive?

Questions About What to Pack

Your hospital may provide some items, so asking ahead can help you avoid overpacking.

  • What does the hospital provide for mom?
  • What does the hospital provide for baby?
  • Should I bring diapers and wipes?
  • Should I bring my own postpartum supplies?
  • Should I bring bottles or formula if needed?
  • Can I bring snacks?
  • What items are not allowed?

Questions About Photos and Keepsakes

Your baby’s birth is part of your family story. Ask how the hospital handles photos, footprints, bracelets, and other keepsakes.

  • Can we take photos during labor?
  • Can we take photos during delivery?
  • Can we take photos in the operating room if a C-section is needed?
  • Does the hospital provide baby footprints?
  • Can we keep hospital bracelets?
  • Can we save baby’s first hat or bassinet card?

After birth, the Momentiqa Baby Memory Book Set can help you preserve first photos, hospital bracelets, first milestones, and baby’s early years. See it here.

Questions About Going Home

Before leaving the hospital, you will receive discharge information for both you and your baby.

  • What needs to happen before discharge?
  • Will someone check the car seat?
  • What paperwork should we expect?
  • When should baby see the pediatrician?
  • When should I schedule my postpartum appointment?
  • Who should I call with questions after discharge?

Questions for a Virtual Hospital Tour

If your hospital tour is virtual, you can still ask many of the same questions. You may also want to ask:

  • Can you show the entrance and check-in area?
  • Can you show a labor room?
  • Can you show a postpartum room?
  • Can you explain where my support person should park?
  • Can you send a written guide after the tour?

How to Organize Your Hospital Tour Notes

Bring a notebook or use your pregnancy journal to record answers. You may want to create sections for:

  • Arrival
  • Labor room
  • Pain relief
  • Birth plan
  • Newborn care
  • Visitors
  • Postpartum recovery
  • Going home

The Momentiqa App is designed to work alongside Momentiqa books, helping moms organize pregnancy memories, prompts, hospital preparation notes, and early motherhood moments. Learn more here.

After Baby Arrives

Your hospital tour is part of the preparation story. After baby arrives, you may want to document first photos, first visitors, first feeding moments, baby’s hospital bracelet, and the day you went home.

For a long-term keepsake, you can also explore the Birth to Age 5 Memory Book here.

Final Thoughts

The best questions to ask during your hospital tour are the ones that help you feel informed, calm, and prepared. Ask about arrival, labor rooms, pain relief, birth plans, C-sections, newborn care, visitors, postpartum recovery, what to pack, and going home.

You do not need to memorize everything. Write down your questions, take notes, and bring anything unclear to your next prenatal appointment.

To preserve your hospital tour notes, birth wishes, and final pregnancy memories, explore the Momentiqa Pregnancy Journal Book here.
Back