What to Expect on a Delivery Room Tour: A First-Time Mom’s Guide to Feeling Prepared and Confident
23 Jun 2025
As your due date approaches, it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and nervousness. One of the best ways to ease anxiety is to take a tour of your hospital or birthing center’s delivery room.
A delivery room tour helps you feel more familiar, more empowered, and less uncertain about what to expect on the big day. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what a typical tour includes, what to look for, and what questions to ask—so you can walk into labor feeling calm and confident.
What Is a Delivery Room Tour?
A delivery room tour is a scheduled visit where expectant parents can explore the labor, delivery, and postpartum facilities at their chosen hospital or birthing center. It’s usually led by a nurse, midwife, or staff member who explains how things work and answers your questions. These tours are often free, and many hospitals also offer virtual tours if in-person visits aren’t available.Why Take a Delivery Room Tour?
For first-time moms especially, a tour can help turn the unknown into something familiar and manageable.Benefits of Touring:
- Reduces fear of the unknown
- Helps you visualize your labor and delivery
- Gives you a chance to meet staff and ask questions
- Clarifies hospital policies (like visitor rules or pain relief options)
- Helps you plan what to pack and how to personalize your experience
What You'll Typically See on the Tour
Every facility is different, but most tours include:Labor & Delivery Room
You’ll see where you’ll labor and deliver your baby. This may include:- Adjustable hospital bed
- Fetal monitors
- IV and pain relief equipment
- Birthing balls, peanut balls, or squat bars (in supportive hospitals)
- Bathroom with shower or tub (sometimes used for pain relief)
Newborn Care Area
Most delivery rooms have a warmer or bassinet where your baby is checked right after birth.Postpartum Room
After delivery, you’ll be moved to a recovery or maternity room. Here, you’ll stay for observation and bonding with your baby. You’ll see:- Sleeping area for your support person
- Baby bassinet
- Bathroom with shower
- Breastfeeding support resources
Nurses’ Station and Triage Area
You may also visit the check-in area or triage room, where you’ll go if you're in early labor or unsure whether it’s time to be admitted.Questions to Ask During Your Tour
Don’t be shy—this is your chance to get clarity. Here are some helpful questions to consider:General:
- How do I check in when I go into labor?
- How many support people are allowed during labor and delivery?
- Are doulas allowed?
Labor & Delivery:
- Can I walk, eat, or use the shower during labor?
- What types of pain relief are offered (epidural, nitrous oxide, etc.)?
- Can I bring music, aromatherapy, or a birth plan?
Postpartum:
- Can the baby stay with me 24/7 (rooming-in)?
- What is your policy on skin-to-skin contact?
- Is lactation support available?
COVID or Visitor Policies (if still relevant):
- Are there restrictions on visitors?
- Can my partner stay overnight?
Virtual Delivery Room Tours
If an in-person visit isn’t available, many hospitals now offer virtual delivery room tours on their websites or YouTube channels. Just search for your hospital’s name + “labor and delivery tour.” You can even find sample videos from real moms sharing their experiences.Final Thoughts for First-Time Moms
Stepping into the space where you’ll meet your baby can be incredibly grounding. A delivery room tour gives you a chance to breathe, ask questions, and make empowered decisions before the big day arrives. You don’t have to go into labor blind. You deserve to feel prepared, informed, and supported every step of the way. So go ahead—book that tour. Visualize the room. Feel the energy. And remind yourself: You’ve got this.
