Last Thursday we toured the Duke Hospital Birth Center. The first hour was spent in one of the awful auditoriums I have had to teach medical students in. There a super nice nurse gave us a nice overview on what to expect, what to pack, what to do, etc. I will be giving cord blood to the Carolina Cord Blood Bank. Cord blood is rich in stem cells and can be used to treat a variety of cancers and other diseases. Free stem cells without the embryo debate!
We then toured the labor and delivery birthing rooms (there are 20). Some of the nice things: whirlpool tubs for labor, an attempt to not look so hospital like (wallpaper & wood paneling), a sleeper couch, and a private elevator from the ER that goes straight up to the Birth Center. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars, or stand around ER for more than a second. Yay! We saw the postpartum rooms with the comfy airbeds for me but a miserable recliner for the birth partner. Poor Jim. 
The nursery was small as rooming-in is encouraged but it’s there to give moms a break if needed. And that’s about all I remember!
Next week we will also be touring the Durham Regional Hospital (a Duke owned hospital). While my docs are only at Duke Hospital, I wanted to see my only other option. That’s right. Duke insurance is awesome! But on my plan (the most popular) you are limited to Duke ppl. Which makes sense but can be a pain if you find a doc you like. But I do like that my knee surgery was only $100 and having a baby should only cost me $350 (or so I hear, we’ll see).
I mentioned I had signed us up for a ton of classes.
- 8 week birthing class (and we may sign up for another half day one that’s actually affiliated w/Duke though there will be some repeated info)
- breastfeeding
- baby care
- boot camp for new dads
- pain relief options
- choosing & using childcare
Busy busy! Aside from all that we are trying to collect baby stuff. Here’s what more we’ve gotten. And you know, I keep thinking we have a lot probably because it’s not put together and just takes up a lot of space we don’t have and because we have to mess with Craigslist shopping all over the Triangle which can be a pain. But really there’s a lot more things to think about. Ack!
- donations from coworkers including a changing table and maternity clothes, with more things coming
- my former boss just sent me a box with a lovely crib set (bumper, wall hanging, etc)
- coworker sold me her stroller and two carseats w/ bases (in case we have to get another car) $60
[Note to self] Still really need to sign up for a baby CPR/first aid class, make a registry, and find a crib mattress & breast pump.
