CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: WEEK 2
Maternity Tour
After introductions and needs assessment were
completed, the group headed out on the maternity
tour. If modified bed rest was in place or transport
chairs required, those accommodations were made.
The length of the tour was limited to 30 or 40 min
so as not to keep the expectant mothers on their feet
too long. Topics covered during the walking tour
were preregistration and instructions for complimentary
parking with ticket validation. Directions
for entrance points at various times of day and
night were also discussed. The tour included the
private triage rooms and typical admission procedures,
electronic fetal monitors, bathroom facilities,
and provisions. Before proceeding to the cesarean
area, around-the-clock anesthesia coverage was discussed.
The fact that all multiples would be birthed
in the operating room (OR) for the safety of the
mother and babies was reinforced. Labor rooms
were shown with attention to nursing support, a review
of how many support people would be allowed,
and the timing of the transfer to the OR for surgery.
The set up for two or more infants in the OR and
the neonatal coverage that would be present at birth
was also discussed. The recovery area was shown
before proceeding to the postpartum area, where
infant security measures and visiting policies were
explained. Topics addressed included admission to
the room, rooming-in of infants with mother and a
support person, and the nursing and lactation support
available. Usual routines such as infant clothing
and linens provided, length of stay, daily visits
by providers, pediatric coverage, and agency-specific
infant security measures were discussed. The highlight
of the tour usually included showing an infant
to the group (after obtaining parental consent) and
noting security tags and umbilical clamp, in addition
to the typical “oohs” and “ahhs” after seeing an
actual newborn.