Part of it might be trying to guard against upselling.

We had two kids. One at a corporate hospital that specializes in pre- and post-natal care, and another at a non-profit independent hospital.

In retrospect, the first kid felt an awful lot like buying a car. Or getting married. Literally felt like they were trying to tack on all the things. “Oh you need to take first aid and CPR classes, they are covered by your insurance if you’re pregnant”. “Oh you should take this breastfeeding class”. “Have you seen our Alternative Birthing Center?”. “Babies looking a little big. Let’s schedule extra ultrasounds to track it”. Followed by scaring us into a planned c-section.

Kids first night he’s got a little wheeze. Head nurse during the day knew her shit, she said it was fine and noted it in the chart. Night nurse ain’t having that. Sent him right down to the NICU. Spent the night. Nothing wrong with him, he just didn’t really cry a lot so he never got to get all the fluid out of his lungs.

And then the bottle shaming after the fact. La leche League, et al…all a bunch of titnazis. But lactation counseling is covered by insurance. So…

Second kid, hospital looked and felt a lot more rundown, but the kid was even bigger, and they were less concerned about his size and even encouraged my wife when she said she wanted a VBAC. Staff was way more personal. Totally different experience.

I partway expect to start getting calls about my first kids extended warranty soon.