Transmitting From Soiled Room A457

If you are going to have a baby at the Ottawa Civic Hospital, and you are wondering about bringing your laptop, I can tell you that there is one "open" wireless internet network within range of the Post-Partum Unit on the 4th floor of A-wing. You can blog to your heart's content as long as you are in one of four rooms:
Patient Room A453
Patient Room A455
Supply Room A457
Soiled Room A459

I can't be certain if the signal is coming from another floor in A-wing or from the adjoining tower. To be safe, it's best to work close to the windows.


We started out in semi-private room A453, which had a great signal, but then we were moved to our private room in A458, which is across the hall and too far for a reliable connection. Whenever I wanted to make blog postings or check email, I had to go into one of these other rooms. Unfortunately, the patient rooms were usually occupied, so I ended up in one of the utility rooms most of the time. The nurses gave me some odd looks as they came and went from room A457 and A459 and saw me typing among the various carts and trays.

This information had value beyond simple blogging -- I was able to apply online for Scott's birth certificate and SIN number before leaving the hospital. If you are going to have a baby soon, keep all of these factors in mind when you go to the admitting desk.

PS: On my way out here to post this, I found a guy huddled over his computer doing some real work and I showed him my little internet cafe. He was thrilled because he desperately needs a connection.