The one wish for every pregnant woman is to deliver her child safely and properly. That is why many expectant mothers begin to look for a good hospital months before their due date. This is to avoid last-minute rush and making the mistake of choosing the wrong hospital. Choosing a good hospital for delivery in Nigeria eliminates many problems that might arise during the process of childbirth and goes a long way in making sure you and the baby are safe.
Fortunately, choosing a good hospital for delivery is easier than you think. You do not have to do anything extra or travel abroad to find a good hospital to deliver in. There are some important things to consider when choosing a hospital for delivery in Nigeria. We have outlined a few steps to enable you to make a good decision.
1. Consider the Location
One of the key things to keep in mind is the location of the hospital. By all means, choose a hospital that is close to you. You do not want to drive across your state on your day of delivery just to get to a hospital. In a country like Nigeria where we have a problem of traffic and bad roads, the last thing you want is to drive a very long distance just to get to the hospital for delivery, especially if labour kicks in at night. Choosing a hospital very close to you would pay off in so many ways. You can also visit the hospital for antenatal care to take care of you and the baby during the pregnancy period.
2. Quality of StaffÂ
This includes both the staff strength and the kind of specialists they have at the hospital. Ideally, a good hospital for delivery should have a mid-wife. A mid-wife is the proper person to help with the delivery of a child, though a doctor can help to assist. There should also be enough nurses, ready to assist the doctor and the midwife during delivery. The more specialists they are at the hospital, the better. A hospital with a sole doctor and nurse is not one you should readily consider. Keep your search open till you find what you want.
3. Quality Of Room/Hospital
Imagine showing up on your day of delivery and being told that all the rooms are occupied already. That is something you might expect in a small hospital. A hospital with many rooms is one you should look out for. If you can, take a tour around the hospital and inspect the rooms for quality. Check the size and state of the rooms, like the beds, the floor, ventilation, and more. Notice how clean the rooms are. Also, check the type of equipment they have in the hospital. Some things, like oxygen, are very important in the hospital.
Do a proper tour of the hospital and make sure they have everything that would ensure safe and hitch-free delivery.
4. Method Of Delivery
The hospital you choose must be able to assist you with your preferred method of delivery, whether vaginal birth or through C-section. Some women select their preferred birth method beforehand and it only makes sense to find a hospital that can assist with your preferred birth method.
5. Cost
Ultimately, you would have to think about the hospital bill at the end of the day. One thing you should keep in mind is that a good hospital is not always expensive. A country like Nigeria has a serious insurance deficit so many people often pay for their hospital bills, including deliveries, out of their pocket. Government hospitals are usually cheaper but most people would rather choose a private hospital. The cost of child delivery in Nigeria depends on many factors. The price of child delivery in Nigerian hospitals can vary, but normally ranges from ₦10,000 to ₦200,000 depending on the midwife and hospital. However, if you have health insurance in Nigeria, you can deliver for free in some hospitals.
Having an idea of how much the hospital charges for childbirth is something you must know before deciding on a hospital.
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Collins Nwokolo is a human physiologist, writer and health enthusiast. He loves writing helpful articles on health and fitness, which he enjoys sharing with everyone.
