After staying in the hosptial for a week with Jenna, I have a bit to say about the differences.
First off, you must bring your own towel, even though they do supply the bed linens and a pillow (which is not like our pillow--it is like a giant square marshmellow) and comforter (duvet--they don't have top sheets you just snuggle in the comforter).
Breakfast is brötchen (large roll with crusty shell) which you put meat and cheeses (but if you are like me you put Nutella on them). Lunch is the big meal of the day. They serve something we would have for dinner. Then dinner is light--a few pieces of bread and meat (for a sandwich) and a little salad. they don't offer desserts other than rice or regular pudding. If you want to drink you must get your own sprudel (carbonated water) but if you want plain water you have to get it out of the sink.
There are no phones in the room (and cell phones are forbidden but everyone sneaks them). To my surprise, they had internet connection--which is not always the case, but the hospital Jenna was in was a university one so we were lucky! We didn't have a TV in the room (hense why the computer was so important--I could play DVD's and show pictures). I asked the nurse about the TV because when I was in a German hospital for my miscarriage D&C's they had one but you had to wear these funny ear phone tubes that were like the old fashion ones on the airplane. She explained in our ward (Pediatric Neurology) they don't have them because often the children have a lot of sensitivity to noises and light, and this is avoided.
The bathroom was only for the children--parents/visitors had to go off the ward to use the public one (which meant going through another ward on the way off to the elavators).
They had a play "room" but only the children were allowed in--no parents. They did allow me to come in to get some puzzels or crayons, but I had to leave right away. I couldn't figure it out since the ladies (they looked like nuns) said we could leave the child in there but they never would let me leave Jenna. I don't know if you had to have an apointment or something. Still a mystery to me!
They had a mother's room on another floor which I shared with another mother--it was like a basic dorm room. (Frankly, I don't know if they have those in the American Hospital since I didn't have kids then).
I had to take Jenna around to all the apointments. Some were across the campus and I had to use a stroller or just walk with her.
Posted by Krista at June 4, 2008 12:23 PMYou know Krista, my first thought while reading your comments is that it won't be too long until similar services will be the norm in the U.S. With the direction of the economy scaling back on 'fluff' may be a necessity. Look at the airline industry and how they are trimming down to basics. I agree that the playroom limitations seem a little odd. You would think they'd welcome the parents assistance. One thing is for sure, what you accomplished in a week there would never happen here! You are learning and experiencing so much on this journey with Jenna.
Posted by: Dana at June 5, 2008 05:03 AMAddendum --- In the Seattle Times today there's an article that Bon Appetit magazine noted pudding to be one of the 10 food trends and the dessert of the year! That probably explains the dessert choices you had the hospital -- smile!