unmarried father seeking advice on custody issue

[rainbowkiller23]

I have a few questions regarding a custody pretrial hearing i have next week. This is in the state of Ohio.

1. Should i be trying to negotiate with the mother of my child regarding parenting time and a parenting plan if she is willing to discuss it with me outside of court then get it court ordered at our hearing next week?

2. I have only seen my 8-month old daughter 7 times in her life starting June of this year (mother refused to let me see her) Back to my question, my daughters mother has been in and out of the hospital since july 22nd getting different surgeries and going to the hospital with "complications". She is unable to lift or take care of our child in general right now and my daughter is under the care of my exs mom. Is this grounds for me to get temporary full custody until a final order is established?

3. I understand that a parenting time schedule needs to be created. I am wondering if it can be added in an order that the parenting time schedule must be revised in court once the child reaches school-age? Or should i have a separate parenting time schedule to propose now for when she is school-aged?

Any/All other advice is welcome and much appreciated. I've never been thru this before. I do not have an attorney or enough money to retain one so I'm trying to educate myself as much as possible.