A great little short story on hospital tours! Anyone going anytime soon? I am going somewhere completely different this 2nd time around and am nervous to have to be somewhere new. I don't always like changes when its something dramatic as say...pushing out a kid in front of strangers in a strange place! Let the story begin!


Going on the hospital tour was always an exciting part of having a baby. On both of my tours, I arrived at the meeting spot, my husband in tow, to find several other pregnant women waiting to go on their tours.

Of course, being a female of the overly hormonal variety, Id size them up. Who looked like she had one too many ice cream sundaes. Who seemed a little neurotic and who decided to do away with fashion totally once finding out she was pregnant.

Yes, I know we were all pregnant and part of that big Vagina Sisterhood, but I couldnt help but judge.

At the same time, I was wondering if they were judging me. You see, I didnt want to go on the hospital tour too early. If I did, Id look like some crazy woman who wasnt even pregnant wanting to tour labor and delivery. I didnt want to schedule it too late because what if I went into labor?

No, the middle of the pregnancy was, as Baby Bear would say, Just right.

I couldnt help but feel a little jealous at the pregnant women who, when asked their due dates, would reply Tomorrow!

Tomorrow? I hate you. I have three more months to go and my butt doesnt fit into my maternity jeans very well anymore.

The tour can seem a little overwhelming. They show you triage. They show you the rooms and, of course, the stirrups. Perhaps they point out the couch for Daddy/Grandma/Friend/Partner.

It all starts to seem a little too real.

On our first hospital tour, the nurse asked me how I felt. Im not so sure I want to do this anymore, I said.

Oh, I know, its all a big adjustment having a baby for the first time.

No, I just dont want to push it out of my crotch.