Welcoming a baby into the world is an exciting and life-changing milestone in life. However, it’s important to ensure you’re prepared for the arrival of your new bundle of joy. This includes selecting the right hospital for your labor and delivery. It takes a lot of thought and research to decide on the hospital that’s right for your family. Read on to learn some tips on how to choose a hospital for labor and delivery.

Birth Plan

Think about the birthing experience that you prefer. This is a great way to select the right hospital, as some health care facilities are more supportive of natural childbirth than others. A birth plan is an outline of what you would like to happen during labor. Some medical facilities offer support techniques and features such as a birthing ball, access to a whirlpool, support persons and even aromatherapy.

Ensure that the hospital can cater to your birth plan. You should also consider researching what the nurse-to-patient ratio is at the facility.

Insurance Coverage

Your insurance coverage may be the deciding factor on which hospital you choose. To receive the best coverage and pay the least out of pocket, it’s important to select a provider and hospital that are in network. Be sure to check which services are covered under your insurance and which ones aren’t. This is because labor and delivery services can be costly, especially if a C-section is needed and/or intensive care for your baby.

High-Risk Pregnancy Services

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may want to consider a hospital that offers advanced care to high-risk mothers. This can include special monitoring and tests to check to ensure you and your baby are healthy.  A high-risk pregnancy means a mother and baby are at an increased risk for health problems. Those who are young, older than 35, overweight or underweight are more susceptible to high-risk pregnancies. Individuals with health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure or autoimmune disorders are also at high risk.

Clinical Excellence

If you want the best of the best, you may want to consider looking into a hospital’s clinical excellence. This ensures you and your baby are in good hands. The hospital should have a team of skilled health care providers that can expertly guide you through labor and delivery. You can also check if the medical facility has any maternity care ratings or awards.

Additionally, for five-star care, ensure the hospital includes the following:

• Board-certified anesthesiologists and OB/GYNs

• Magnet-recognized RNs

• Laborists

Infant Security System

As a new parent, it’s natural to want to protect your child. For this reason, it is advisable to select a hospital that has an electronic infant security system. The electronic infant security system should alarm when an infant is near an open door and the door should lock. An electronic infant security system enhances a hospital’s security program and can give you peace of mind in ensuring your newborn is safe and sound — even in a crowded hospital.

Hospital Maternity Tour

Taking a tour of various hospitals can help you make an informed decision. Be sure to tour the facility’s birth center and take note of how the staff interacts with patients, family members and colleagues. Are they friendly and professional? Is the maternity ward overly busy? Touring the birth center and speaking with staff members can help make you feel more comfortable with the environment.

Overall, it’s important to ensure the hospital’s approach and policies fit your family’s needs. For more tips on how to choose a hospital for labor and delivery, see the accompanying resource.

Author bio: Meredith McRoberts is Chief Executive Officer and the fifth-generation owner of McRoberts Corporation. She is a respected innovator and leader in the security industry. McRoberts established McRoberts Technologies to address specific security risks through the use of leading-edge technology and unmatched customer service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Colorado Boulder.