RPA Birthing Centre - Camperdown, Sydney

[mummyJ]

Hi guys...

Was just wondering of anyone who knows anything about RPA in Sydney could let me know...I am jumping the gun as I'm not yet pregnant, but I know how hard it is to get into good birthing centres.

I am keen to have a water birth as I had one with DS.

Also, what is the release time? What did you think of it?

We live 10-15 minutes away - that should be ok yeah?? I heard they have restricted it to local people only.

Any info will be BRILLIANT!!!

[lilpearl]

Hi, I had my second baby at the RPA birth centre. It was a VBAC and the philosophy was very pro hands-off, pro water-birth, very supportive. As a result, i had a straight-forward birth and went on to have a homebirth last time. :) Book in as soon as you find out you're pregnant. I booked in at 6 weeks gestation. A few hours post-birth you have the choice of going home or staying in the maternity ward. I chose to stay int he maternity ward but went home after 2 nights as I couldn't stand it any more. The food was revolting and I didn't get much rest. BUT, the birth centre experience was worth it. My homebirth was far better again, but if you want a birth centre birth, I don't think you'll find better than the one at the RPA. I lived inland from ENgadine, so about half and hour away, and it wasn't an issue. All the best! :)

[doulacara]

I also had Baby no 2 at RPA BC. The midwives I encountered there were excellent. I had a fairly rapid labour, but I was never asked to submit to an internal and I birthed in the water unplanned.

My DS was born just before 9am, and as there was no one else there that day, we hung out in the birth suite all day and went home that evening.

I loved that their ante natal appointments were after hours and on Saturdays, as I was working at the time this made it so much easier. I had my first few appointments in the regular ante natal clinic before I switched to the BC and it was horrendous - such a long wait and no time at all. The BC midwives, IMO, took more time to get to know you. Ironically I met all of them except the one who was on shift when I birthed, but it didn't matter.

Apart from a homebirth, which is my Gold Standard, I would recommend the BC.

Cara

[mummyJ]

BRILL! It sounds perfect!! At least I know exactly where to call as soon as I get a :bfp:!!

I hear you on the homebirth thing, but there are a fe things that I'm not sold over yet. The cost and we're just renting, so I actually like the idea of going somewhere where people will clean up afterwards and stuff...Plus I think all the neighbours would move out after the kind of noises I made during a natural labour!!! haha

Keep rolling in any other info though...i love hearing!!!

[Penthesilea]

I've had three babies there - all through the birth centre - however for the first one we ended up with intervention.

My second and third deliveries were fast. For the second, we napped at the bc after the baby was born, so weren't rushed out, and you can go home straight after if you feel well enough.

It was good.

[GeorgiaAnne]

I went through the bc with dd and ended up having an emergency c and have booked in for next bubba for a vbac. The care is great but they are quite strict about their boundaries in terms of where you live. I would ring up and check if I were you before you get your heart set on it. Their # is 9515 6405. Good luck with your next pg

[annsam]

I went to a birth there 2 weeks ago and its was by far the most respectful treatment Ive witnessed. Hands off, informative, respectful.

[goddess]

We had our little darling there also and it was great, no problems, everyone very helpful, and we went home a few hours after birth

[MelissafromSyd]

Have you thought about a home birth? It might be a good option for you.

Cheers,
Melissa.

[lilpearl]

Oh, and just to add...as a student midwife, my dream job would be to work at the RPA's birth centre! (until the kids are older, then it's independent midwifery all the way! :thumbsup:) I'd happily make the move back to Syndey for that job!