Discussions

Does anyone know if the Brandon hospital lets you take a tour of the maternity ward so you can get a feel of where to go and what to do when you go into labour? I'm due to have a baby in a couple of months and this will be my first child born here in Brandon.  
 
To be honest I don't even know which floor is the labour/ delivery/ mat ward. I'm sure I could just ask my doctor about it too but figured I would ask here what others have been able to experience.  
 
Also what is required of the parents to pack to take with them for the baby and what does the hospital provide if anything?  
 
I already know we need a car seat which we have already. Just more or less wondering about diapers and clothes and stuff.

I think the best thing is to sign up and get yourself into a prenatal class. They will go over things like this and it also includes a tour of the hospital.

The mat floor is the 4th floor of the hospital. Take the elevator up and turn left. The doors are open during visiting hours, otherwise just press a button and the nurses will let you in.  
 
You can take free prenatal classes through Public Health which i:ncludes a tour. I didn't take the classes but still went on the tour, I just called and gave them my name. It was very informative and I'm so glad we took the tour. Felt so much more familiar and relaxed when the time back to have my baby.  
 
The nurses are AAAAAMAZING, you are in great hands!

Depending on what Doctor you go to they should give you a list of what the hospital provides and what you should take. If they don:t go to Brandon Clinic to the OB's station and ask them for one.They normally give them out at a first maternity appointment.  
You need to pack everything you and your child may need. They will provide a few diapers but everything else is on the parents. clothes, bottles, ect

Also, as for the hospital bag. They give you a couple of diapers, a few wipes, some sanitary pads for yourself. They may give you more if you ask nicely but it's recommended to bring your own for when you run out. I was just there so if you have any other questions let me know, hopefully I've got the most up to date answers!  
 
I packed:  
Sleepers (not newborn size, they're hard to get over the little ankle monitor, bring 0-3 month sized ones)  
Clothes for me and dad  
Diapers, wipes, bum cream  
Toothbrush, shampoo etc all those toiletries  
Pads (massive ones lol)  
Blankets for baby cause the hospital ones are a little scratchy  
Chargers for phones  
Snacks (they have a kitchen where they have bread, peanut butter, sandwiches and snacks for you! But I also brought my own granola bars and fruit)  
Car seat  
 
I think Public Health also has a list of things to bring but most of it I didn't use. If you live in Brandon is easy enough to get someone to bring you things if you really need it.  
 
They also have things like medicine balls and rocking chairs for while you're in labour which was great!

And bring flip flops cause you'll be walking lots of laps around the mat ward!!

I doubt I will need a prenatal class. This isn't my first rodeo. Just my first child born here and every province can be a little different. My first born was also different, high risk and complicated so I was prepared from 25 weeks on and given my first's experience, the hospital he was born in provided everything during his stay until he was discharged.  
 
My family doctor is also my mat doctor (not through the Brandon clinic) so it's good to know I could stop by the BC to get an information packet if my doctor doesn't provide one. As it stands I'm 32 weeks so maybe he still will? LoL

The Nicu does provide clothes for the babies ion there but normally healthy babies are not provided those items. Its only for babies who are staying and they are given everything until released as everything needs to come from a sterile environment.  
Maybe ask your doctor for the lists the clinics are supposed to give out?

Just call up there, they will take you on a tour and let you know everything you need to know.  
As for what they provide.....they will give you a few diapers, wipes and mesh underwear and a few pads for yourself. That is about it. So since this isn't your first baby, you know what else to bring besides that for yourself and baby.  
They are a single room maternity ward as well, so you will labour, deliver and recover in one room. They have a nutrition room filled with snacks, sandwiches, drinks, etc. If you have a c-section, baby will be taken up to the NICU with Dad or whoever is there while you recover in the operating recovery area. You will also get a single room once back up on the ward though.

Awesome, thanks for all the responses. Really good information to know.

Yes just call the hospital and ask for a tour. The nurses will give you one if they have time and answer any of your questions.  
FYI... Not all the rooms are single. Yes you will be in a private room to labour and deliver, however postpartum it is possible to be put in one of their shared rooms if the ward is full... Or even transferred to a different floor if they are extremely busy.

I just packed everything I felt I would need for myself and for baby then if it was provided I saved my own. We were given a few diapers, wipes, pads, Kleenex, blankets, hats and sleepers. It was up to us whether we wanted to use hospital blankets/sleepers or our own.