I think the hospital is a goer

The hospital was good. It isn't exactly a very pretty hospital, none of the finery I have seen in other private hospitals, but the things that are important to me are all there:

* They can handle absolutely any situation. Other private hospitals send them the patients they can't handle - they can also handle very premmie babies, emergency caesars etc.
* Every conceivable type of staff are all on hand. As they are attached to a teaching hospital, some of the best specialists in the state are there all the time, and there is always someone on hand all the time. For example, there is no waiting for the dude that does the epidurals - there is always an anaethestist on hand.
* The staff were very friendly, and I there was a feeling of calm in the place, even though they were busy. Passing the delivery suites I heard a staff member ask a patient's husband "any news yet?" and he said "not yet, but we are close". It was nice to know that they actually knew the patients, their stories and their families. I think they really cared.
* She said some things today that I really liked to hear. She said that they have some of the best lactation consultants on staff, and if you need some assistance getting started with breastfeeding, they will do everything possible to help. She also said that if you decided not to breastfeed (or couldn't), then they will respect that decision, and help you out with formula, and getting started with the right formula for your baby. She said they recognise that breastfeeding isn't for everyone. I really liked that.
* Dads are treated well - they can stay if they want, and they can have meals there too if they like.
* They treat all Mums as if it was their first baby - they get all the same services offered as they did their first - the classes, the consultants, whatever they need.
* You stay in for 4 nights\5 days for a normal birth and 6 nights\7 days for a caesar.

It has some negatives though. It really isn't a pretty place to be, and the delivery suites are so boringly plain. It is also up on the 5th floor, and parking is expensive. $5 for the first hour - up to a maximum of $25. Dads get a voucher for the week for cheap parking.

Still I think all things considered I would rather the benefits of this hospital over others that are prettier.

I did forget to ask if they had internet access (how will I cope? How will I give you guys updates?). Will have to work that out beforehand.

I did do more knitting today (just a little bit) and the second bootie is nearly finished!