Birthing Centres in Sydney...+ water birth??

[mummyJ]

Hi guys...
Ok this post could go in a few different sections...but let's give it a shot here.
Anyway - I am interested a birthing centre. I have a stupid question - can you have a public health birthing centre? If so - which ones are they?
Also, had Elijah at Hornsby and was SUPER blessed to have a water birth...Am super keen to have another one, but they only have 2 midwives who can do it and its a bit of a luck of the draw who will be on duty when you go into labour.
Does anyone know which public hospitals/ birthing centres allow for water birth?
I will be around the Lane Cove area...
Am particulalry interested in RNSH, RPA and anything else around there...
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[borntobemummy]

Hey Jo, I'm pretty sure RPA does them, I'd be going there if we didn't live so far. We'll have to catch up when you guys get back, hey:hugs:

[doulacara]

All birth centres are part of the public hospital system. RPA does waterbirth, as does RWH. I think there is a birth centre at Ryde as well.

Best of luck,
Cara

[mummyJ]

I feel stupid asking these questions - but will all birth centres allow for waterbirth, or will it depend on the midwives / policy?

Also how far away can you live to RPA and still go there? I heard somewhere that someone was turned away because they lived too far...

Anyone had any experinces at RNSH BC??

[doulacara]

Although birth centres are more likely to 'allow' waterbirth, it is by no means a given. It might be helpful to call and speak to RNSH if you would like to go there, or RPA.

Have you ever considered birthing at home with an independent midwife? That will ensure you can do what you want in labour.

Cara

[lilpearl]

I had a VBAC waterbirth at the birth centre at RPA - very good birth centre/hospital in my opinion (that's coming form someone who is now a homebirther, so that's saying a lot!:thumbsup:)

I've heard they do have a zone system for accepting people...I lived past Sutherland and I went there though.

You need to book REAL early to get intot he birth centre there though (I booked in at 6 weeks).