View Full Version : RBWH birth centre?
Hello ladies
I had to go see my doctor yesterday just for a check up to make sure everythings going fine all seems to be going great :)
She said to me that i need to start thinking about where i want this bub to be born,which came as a real shock to me as im only 5 weeks preg.She said i can choose any of the hospitals in brisbane but she said she would prefer me to go to logan and thats the one i really dont want to go to even tho its our closest hospital.
I had bryce in grafton nsw which is a smaller country town with only one hospital and was very pleased with my labour there and want it like that again if i can.I used the warm spa heaps through my labour was in and out of there for most of my labour(as i found it helped sooo much!!) untill it came time to start pushing.So there is my main concern i dont think i would have had such a good birth and been pleased with how everything went if it was not for that spa it saved me sooo much!!
Now ive been told that spas are not allowed to be used in labour in qld?? Which scares the **** out of me to be honost.
So im just wondering how the birth centre works at RBWH any info would be great
Sorry its so long just needed to try to explain how i feel hope it all makes sence :o
Thanks
Hi there,
I have had 2 out of my 3 at the birth centre and they were waterbirths...they were wonderful! They were both born underwater:D
The birth centre is one of the only places you can have an actual waterbirth in...as far as I'm aware, you can use the baths in the birth suites (in the main part of the RBWH) for labour (also showers) but you have to get out for the birth.
You will need to put your name down for the ballot in the birth centre (not eveyone gets in.) Your doc will need to fax through a referral to the birth centre (make sure she/he clearly marks it BIRTH CENTRE not BIRTH SUITES) and call them to make sure they receive it. The birth centre doesnt have a catchment area like the main part of the hospital.
They draw the ballot at around 16 weeks of pregnancy and you need to have an appointment with the Obs downstairs to give you the all clear to go there (you cant go if you have a high risk pregnancy.) They are very encouraging of natural birth however you can have gas and pethidine there if you are really wanting it...if you need an epidural they will transfer you to the birth suites right next door.) You can stay in the birth centre for up to 24 hours after you give birth. The midwives there are awesome!
Good luck with it, I highly recommend the birth centre, I wouldnt go anywhere else now.
Thanks very much for your reply
The birth centre sounds great,just what im looking for :thumbsup:
I have to see my doctor next week so i will ask her to send the referral through to them.
:fingerscrossed: That i get in now
Just a quick question tho if i dont get into the birth centre will i be able to go to the normal birth suites?
What is the catchment area for main part of the hospital??
That I'm not sure of, I thought it was the Brisbane area but just give them a quick call and see:) Good luck!
TwoBoysOnly
13-11-2007, 13:27
Hi there,
The birth centre is one of the only places you can have an actual waterbirth in...as far as I'm aware, you can use the baths in the birth suites (in the main part of the RBWH) for labour (also showers) but you have to get out for the birth.
You can't actually use the baths in the main birth suite at RBWH (unless of course you got in when nobody was looking and refused to get out ;) )
The RBWH services the north of Brisbane and the Mater the south of Brisbane - if you didn't get into the birth centre you would be encouraged to go to Mater or Logan - good luck with the ballot make sure the GP writes BIRTH CENTRE - wants BIRTH CENTRE CARE all over the referral :thumbsup:
I was also wondering about that, I was looking at it on the website yesterday. I don't want to go to Logan Hospital either, I had my daughter at the Mater and it was great. I might get my Dr to do me a referral, I am in SA at the moment but will be in Brisbane by the time I am due.
I was also wondering about that, I was looking at it on the website yesterday. I don't want to go to Logan Hospital either, I had my daughter at the Mater and it was great. I might get my Dr to do me a referral, I am in SA at the moment but will be in Brisbane by the time I am due.
Unfortunately they are getting stricter about catchment areas as the population increase plus baby boom have put a strain on public health...:(
sofiesmama
05-07-2008, 21:13
im booked into the bc at rbwh this is my second prgncy but 1st time was in normal birthsuite was hoping to hear from ppls xperience at the bc & how it went for them,any advice would b great!
thnks
Roseythorn
05-07-2008, 23:09
Hi,
I had my daughter at the Birth Centre 10 weeks ago.
It was a great experience, and really enjoyed it.
The midwifes were wonderful. Who are your midwifes?
Hi! I am only 10 weeks with my first and at this stage had been referred to the RBWH by my GP. My booking in appoint is in March. I am really interested in the Birth Centre but have not received any information about it, I believe its a ballot system? Where can i find all the relevant info? Do i need to wait till my first appointment to request the birth centre? Or can i put my name down earlier? If the birth all goes well are they very strict on sending you home within 24hrs or are they flexible if you feel you need some more recovery time? Any feedback from mothers who have recently been there would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Shel
There is some info on the RBH website(sorry can't think of the address off hand). Best bet is to ask your GP to send over a new referral with BIRTH CENTRE clearly written all over it.
It's not guarunteed that you'll get in, but if you get a letter at approx 16 weeks saying that you didn't get in, don't get disheartened. I didn't get in at the ballots, but I got put on the waiting list. At approx 28 weeks I got a call asking if I wanted to be part of "team midwives"(so not your own midwives, a team of 5 midwives, appointments held at Nundah instead of RBH and the 5 midwives are still going through the process of being accredited for water birth - but that's likely to have happened by the time you reach your EDD). I had an appointment the next day, and a week later I was offered a spot in "case load"(2-3 midwives assigned to look after me, appointments at RBH, and all accredited to do water births). So now I've got 4-7 weeks left and am meeting my case load midwife next week.
The birth centre is wonderful, and I dearly hope that you are able to get in. Oh, they have a wonderful library of resources too and a will provide you with a list of fantastic reading(which I recommend trying to get stuck into asap, there's so many to read and once you read one you'll want to read them all!).
Thanks so much newme for your reply, will def get onto my GP tomorrow and get a new referral. will i be given more info at my booking in appointment do you think? I have started share care with my GP but assume if i do get in i would start seeing the midwives monthly.
It really sounds ideal and is great to hear such positive comments! Am keen to learn about Hynobirthing if anyone has any experience there.
julietv8
04-02-2009, 22:53
I just helped my best friend birth at the birth centre and she was told she was not allowed to use the bath or photograph/video her birth :( (to clarify, she was allowed to photo/film the labour and straight after, but not the actual birth)
I thought it was a bit stupid that they have those big baths and you aren't allowed to use them.
I gave birth with the midwifery group practice at the Mater and can't recommend them highly enough, might be worth looking into.
Best of luck.
Milk_Monkey
05-02-2009, 09:57
Thanks so much newme for your reply, will def get onto my GP tomorrow and get a new referral. will i be given more info at my booking in appointment do you think? I have started share care with my GP but assume if i do get in i would start seeing the midwives monthly.
It really sounds ideal and is great to hear such positive comments! Am keen to learn about Hynobirthing if anyone has any experience there.
Hi Retter. I birthed my daughter at the birth centre last June. It was such an empowering expericence for me as the support i recieved there was top notch! My first birth had complications, so it was great to have such a wonderful time second time around.
I had one appointment with the regular midwives at the RBWH before the ballot had been drawn, and then you do go monthly at first, i think.
I looked into hypnobirthing, but didnt really think it was for me. A great book that i can recommend though, is Birthing from Within by Pam England. It really helps you to dispell any fears or assumptions you have about giving birth.
:fingerscrossed: Best of luck, wherever you birth.
I just helped my best friend birth at the birth centre and she was told she was not allowed to use the bath
I've known heaps of people to birth in the baths at the RBWH birth centre, there must have been a specific reason why your friend couldnt? I know that you have to let them know well in advance if you think that you may want that as an option because they have to go through a seperate set of proceedures with you.
Retter - The birth centre also has a great library of resources that you can draw on. There are some fantastic books, video's(and maybe even dvd's) there. There are some books on hypnobirthing too.
JulietteV8 - If your friend was going through "team midwives" instead of "case load midwives" then that could explain why she wasn't able to use the baths in the birth centre as the team midwives are still being accredited to be able to use them and currently need to have a case load midwife in there with them(as the case load midwives are accredited). Also, if she was in room 1 or 2 of the birth suites(which is what the birth centre use for when the 4 rooms are already occupied), then they have different rules on the use of baths in there too(ie you can't use them because there is no way to safely get someone out if something goes off track or if the labouring woman wants to get out to birth). I hope your friend still enjoyed her birth centre experience, despite not being able to labour or birth in the baths.
I was told no one was allowed to use the baths in the delivery rooms at RBWH as they did not meet safety requirements or something. Apparently they need to be able to access from both sides of the bath, and the baths in delivery rooms are in the corner, so can only be accessed from one side. It was such a shame to see the big awesome bath but not be able to use it :(
If you want to get into the birth suite apply ASAP through your doctor. I missed out but hope I get in next time :)
julietv8
05-02-2009, 18:51
Retter - The birth centre also has a great library of resources that you can draw on. There are some fantastic books, video's(and maybe even dvd's) there. There are some books on hypnobirthing too.
JulietteV8 - If your friend was going through "team midwives" instead of "case load midwives" then that could explain why she wasn't able to use the baths in the birth centre as the team midwives are still being accredited to be able to use them and currently need to have a case load midwife in there with them(as the case load midwives are accredited). Also, if she was in room 1 or 2 of the birth suites(which is what the birth centre use for when the 4 rooms are already occupied), then they have different rules on the use of baths in there too(ie you can't use them because there is no way to safely get someone out if something goes off track or if the labouring woman wants to get out to birth). I hope your friend still enjoyed her birth centre experience, despite not being able to labour or birth in the baths.
Unfortunately she had a complicated birth so she ended up not having anything the way she wanted, none of the Phoenix midwives were on, the midwives she had were quite rude and disregarded her birth plan. Her baby got stuck, she she ended up having a ventouse delivery. At the end of the day, her and the baby were well, so I guess thats the important thing. After watching her's, I would go to the Mater, but I guess thats based on only one experience, obviously a lot of ladies had a very positive experience through the RBWH.
JulietteV8, phoenix team deliver in the birth suites, not the birth centre, hence why your friend couldn't have a water birth. The birth centre offers a substantially different model of care to the birth suites, hence why it's so popular.
retter, congratulations on your pregnancy.
I went through the RBWH Birth Centre last year and was very happy with it. The Birth Centre is run by Midwives who prepare you for a natural birth. You meet with your midwives throughout your pregnany and one of them will be with you when you give birth. You get to use the library that they have in the Birth Centre which is full of great books and videos. Waterbirths are an option in the Birth Centre. The room has a double bed in it, and your partner can stay with you and baby after you have given birth. You canhave as many support people as you like. The Birth suite is straight down the corrodore if you need medical attention. If you feel you need longer than 24hrs to recover you can be transfered to the maternity ward.
Good luck, i hope your birth goes well
mum2snugglebug
25-03-2009, 21:12
I found the midwives at the birth centre to be wonderful. I had complications and my birth plan and birthing at the birth centre went out the window before I even reached the hospital.
Even though I ended up in the birth suites I still had my birth centre midwives there with me.
I must say though that I was really disappointed in the maternity ward that I was transfered to as the nurses on overnight seemed to have no idea. I ended up leaving as soon as I could the following day and was home long before my daughter was 24 hours old. I think that if I had been able to stay in the birth centre overnight and have my husband stay to help I would have had a much better experience.
I would defiantly put in for the ballot when we have our next baby, but I will also be looking into private care as well. It is a pity that there doesn't seem to be that same sort of set up as the birth centre in a private facility here in Brisbane.
In regards to Hypnobirthing, if you are willing to do some really silly things then it is well worth going to the classes. My sister did it for her second child and said it was really helpful. I read the book and listened to the cds but never actually went to the classes and I still found it helped with relaxing. There is a copy of the book in the birth centre library and worth a read as I found it eased much of my anxiety towards birth.
Good luck
butimacheerleader
26-04-2009, 20:12
Even though I ended up in the birth suites I still had my birth centre midwives there with me.
Ditto. I ended up have a C/S but my midwives were always there to support me. They were great!! I loved the care and infomation I recieved from them I will be forever grateful.
HI Ladies
My pregnancy has progressed and i'm already 35 weeks, i was lucky enough to get into the Birth Centre and am part of the Nundah group. Thanks for your advice and information - has been a grea help!
There has been a change in policy at the Birth Centre with regards to discharge time, when i went into the ballot i was aware that it was 24 hrs, which freaked me out a little bit i must say. However now it is 6hrs - i'm a first time mum and nervous about going home so soon after the birth, my main concerns are with breastfeeding and exhaustion and just needing a little support and time to recover.
Does anyone know how flexible they are with the discharge time? i have asked the midwives but they are fairly vague in their responses. Is anyone else in this position and feeling the same way?
Midwifeintraining
28-07-2009, 17:10
i am a student midwife and my base hospital is RBWH. I recently had a follow-through woman go through the birth centre and she was worried about the same thing (having to leave so soon after the birth, not being ready to leave, not being able to get much help with breastfeeding etc). I know that the midwives wont make you leave if they see you arent coping well and struggling with feeding etc. When you do go home however, the midwife will be visiting you at home the next day to see how you are coping. Also, if you feel you need to stay longer you can ask to be transferred up onto the ward. hope this helps! and best of luck :)
i am booked in at rbwh and have no idea what ive booked in for...... i found myself cocooned into a team midwife care with no option for anything else. and i have no real idea of what that involves, i feel like im expected to know already.
no one told me id be going home 6 hours after giving birth? what kind of care is that???
lealea79
30-07-2009, 11:16
holy crap there is no way i would have been able to go home after 6 hours after having my baby, i was in labour for 19 hours got torn and cut pretty bad.. i went to the mater and found that fantastic. i was a bit disappointed that i couldnt use the huge bath they had in there suites because i was induced and had to be monitored. i had my ds at 12.35am saturday and went home monday afternoon and was still having trouble walking then..
Best of luck to you!
Thanks for your info Midwife in Training. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable, especially as i followed up with a midwife who confirmed exactly what you said. It's very important to me to know that if i feel unable to cope physically or mentally, i can stay on a little longer, especially to get my head around breastfeeding and recover.
BBYRMSY - It sounds like you are seeing the team of midwifes at the RBWH - birth suites?? In that case i don't believe there is any set discharge time I am in the birth centre - which you need to apply for specifically via a draw, it focuses on natural births in a more relaxed environment - i guess its a bit like a home birth but within the hospital and with midwives. I found it hard to understand all the options in the begining - just speak to the hospital or one of your midwives who should go through it all with you.
Thanks for your info Midwife in Training. That makes me feel a lot more comfortable, especially as i followed up with a midwife who confirmed exactly what you said. It's very important to me to know that if i feel unable to cope physically or mentally, i can stay on a little longer, especially to get my head around breastfeeding and recover.
BBYRMSY - It sounds like you are seeing the team of midwifes at the RBWH - birth suites?? In that case i don't believe there is any set discharge time I am in the birth centre - which you need to apply for specifically via a draw, it focuses on natural births in a more relaxed environment - i guess its a bit like a home birth but within the hospital and with midwives. I found it hard to understand all the options in the begining - just speak to the hospital or one of your midwives who should go through it all with you.
thanks Retter, I was confused over the terminology of centre & suite. I know now that I wanted to be in the birth centre but unfortunately wasn't aware as early as I needed to be that I had to call up and book in. I've had my booking appt but yeah not all clear yet - I guess it will be soon enough though - I can't do much now anyway as it's all done so I'll just go with the flow :) enjoy the birth centre :) :)
bbyrmsy - the same thing happened to me...in the end i asked my gp to redo the referral and write Birth Centre all over it, and after my booking in appt with the normal midwives, i got a call to say i got into the centre - everything was transferred over. i see the team midwives though at Nundah - so i see a group of about 6 - one of which will be at the birth hopefully. If you are really keen on the birth centre it is worth looking into. Just call them and see how you can go about it.
good luck with your pregnancy.:):)
Thanks Retter! I might just do that - I suppose it's worth asking!!
I can't be taken at Nundah as my BMI puts me in the overweight category - that annoyed me in itself...I may be rounded? but I would not class myself as overweight or obese at all.........very frustrating - have to go all the way to the hospital for all the visits!
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