First Pregnancy - Birthing Centre possible?

[CLH]

Hi there, I saw my doctor today and she is to refer me to the Gold Coast Hospital for my birth in March. When I asked about the birthing centre she didn't seem that keen and thought the BC is best for 2nd time round rather than first pregnancy.

I think I'm low risk, no medical issues or history of anything in the family - is she just being old fashioned or is a hospital birth better first time round?

I 100% want a natural birth, I want to be able to move around etc. I am also going to look into Doulas (although no idea how much these cost!) so I am guaranteed continuity of care.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Cat

[CLH]

Also, she said she would need to refer me to the BC - is that correct and am I guranteed to get a place?

[Tam-I-Am]

She's being old-fashioned. There's no reason why you can't use a birth centre for your first birth, in fact its a great way to help you achieve your birth goals.

I live in Victoria so don't know the specifics about the GC birthing centre....Maybe call them and have a chat?

[CLH]

Thanks, I thought she was! I think I'll call and get the refferal asap as I hear its hard to get into them!

[~Emmylou~]

Run as fast as your pregnant legs will carry you to the birth centre.

Hospital births are no safer than BC births or homebirths and if you want a natural birth you're more likely to get it in the BC. Especially as a first time mum ;)

Good luck!

[shed]

You sound like the perfect candidate for a birthing centre and its the best place to get the birth you have described.

A doula is a great idea, I had one and wouldn't give birth without one, well actually I will next time because I don't need one coz I am staying home :laughing:, but I really recommend one for a first timer, they are worth their weight in gold.

[Starlet]

I'd go the birth centre! There are first time mums that are at the birth centre I'm going to!

I'm not sure about the one over your way, but I didn't need a referal to book in.

[CLH]

Ok, my new mission this week is to GET INTO THAT BC!!!!!! If I don't hear from them by Thurs eve I'll call again. Thanks for the support everyone! Will let you know if I make it!

[CLH]

So I got a call from the BC yesterday morning and I'll have to wait to hear back, but she said I was their kind of girl and she didn't think there would be a problem - fingers crossed till I hear!!!

She did say that if I didn't get in then I could always see the Midwifes at a place near me, rather than the GP. I would prefer this as not that keen on GP, but what have other people done? I know shared care is an option too, but the way I see it is that midwifes are specialists about babies, where GP's are a bit of knowledge about everything. Of course any probs you'd go to the Doc, but what is best? Shared or just midwifes? Would love to hear what you have done or are doing!

[GeorgiaAnne]

Good luck getting in :fingerscrossed:
I have seen the middies throughout both my pregnancies and I much prefer it as you also get to know them all by the end.

[hayleysmummy]

:wave: CLH- I'll be giving birth there in 9 wks

I saw my GP until I was accepted only for the dating scan referral and HPT.
Then as soon as I was accepted I have only seen my midwife and its been a godsend theres no waiting well sometimes 5-10 mins if she's with someone else but as I said you also have the option for her to come to your house which saves parking
She will do all your bloods, weighing, measurements, etc etc so theres really no need to see your GP and as georgia has said it gives you both a chance to get to know each other

[nae1709]

Hi CLH

Looks like you & I are in the same boat. When I saw my GP (Dr Young, Westfield Helensvale) she too told me that if anything were to stop me it would because this is my first pregnancy.

I called the BC on 16th July & got a call back on 18th from a lovely midwife named Sharon. She asked me all the questions that I'm sure you had to answer & I too am a perfect candidate for the BC. The only thing she says may stop me is missing out on a spot but because I got in early she didn't seem to thingk that would be a problem at all. Now I'm playing the waiting game to hear back, hopefully it will be soon as the long it is the more I'm inclined to think I missed out on a spot FINGERS CROSSED though.

I am so keen to have a natural water birth & then go home with our newborn as soon as possible so friends & family can visit us when we're up for it not when the hospital say they can. Plus I don't think I would do well in a room with 3 other women & their newborns, I'm too much of a home body.

So what date are you due? I'm due 13th Mar 09 & going for my first scan on 28th July, can't wait. Hopefully we will bump into each other at the BC. Good Luck
:flowerz:
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[CLH]

Nae1709 - wow, we are literally in the same boat, even with the timing of calling the BC! I hope we both get in! I spoke to another lady on a different forum and she said they are fantastic at the centre and even though it ended up she needed to move to the ward to have the baby (she was 3wks early) the midwife went with her the whole time!

I'm due March 6th, had first scan on 14th July for dating, didn't see much but there's little flashy heartbeat going on! Have booked in for 12week scan on 21st August so can;t wait to see a bit more and make sure all is ok, then we will start telling people. Have you told anyone yet?

Cat

[CLH]

:wave: CLH- I'll be giving birth there in 9 wks

I saw my GP until I was accepted only for the dating scan referral and HPT.
Then as soon as I was accepted I have only seen my midwife and its been a godsend theres no waiting well sometimes 5-10 mins if she's with someone else but as I said you also have the option for her to come to your house which saves parking
She will do all your bloods, weighing, measurements, etc etc so theres really no need to see your GP and as georgia has said it gives you both a chance to get to know each other

Hi Haylesmummy! :wave:Out of interest, when do you get measured and weighed first? Is it your first appointment with midwife? GP hasn't done anything at all with me so far bar date scan and sent me for initial bloods.

[nae1709]

Cat - It's all so exciting, isn't it!

My husband & I have pretty much told everyone we know. We think that (touch wood) if anything were to go wrong then we would want all our friends & family around us for support. My sister-in-law lost a pregnancy last month so we've kind of gone through all of it already, unfortunately & it was terrible. I was a little unsure whether to tell her so soon as I didn't want to upset her but she was very happy for us as she knew we had been trying for a little while.

So you'll have to let me know when you've heard back from the BC. I can't remember how long the midwife said it would be before I could expect a call to tell me if I got a spot or not. Did they give you any idea?

Also the BC has a morning tea in Southport somewhere every month I was thinking I might go to the next one to get some more info. If you're interested in something like this I can find out the details & let you know. :cloud9:

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[hayleysmummy]

Hi Haylesmummy! :wave:Out of interest, when do you get measured and weighed first? Is it your first appointment with midwife? GP hasn't done anything at all with me so far bar date scan and sent me for initial bloods.

Nae They didnt call me back for about 5-6 weeks I think so dont worry if it takes them a while they have 6 midwives to go round so :fingerscrossed: for you both

CLH- Yes first appt takes about an hour and a half where they take measurements, urine sample etc etc you will also get your pregnancy booklet and a mother to be bag with freebies :D. The midwives can send you for your 12wk bloods and all scans after that and its all in the same building so even better

[NibbleCurlynBun]

I see no reason why not.

Each pregnancy and birth is 100% unique so even if your first birth is good or bad it doesn't mean your second will be the same.

If that is what you would like for your birth then GO FOR IT! :yes:
Be sure to empower yourself with knowledge and ideas and you will be just fine. :)

Also, I have had one of each and definitely preferred my birth centre experience. I felt more like a person than a number.

[CLH]

Hey nae! Morning tea thing soulds good - let me know if you go and I'll def come along!

Nibblecurlybun - thanks for the encouragement, empowerment will def get me thtough this I think!

[nae1709]

CLH - finally just got around to looking up info on the Friends of the Birth Centre month morning teas. Unfortunately we only just missed this months on the 21st.

The next one is on August 18th (Monday) at 10 am till 12 pm & it's held at the Southport Library. There will be a guest speaker who is a Doula which I think you'll definitely be interested in hearing as I am. All you need to bring is a plate of food to share for morning tea.

I definitely think I'll be heading along to check things out & hopefully meet some of the midwives & get some handy information. :yelclap:

[CLH]

Excellent - thanks for finding that out :). Will def be going as well, pm me and we can meet before and perhaps go together? Plate of food to share - that'll be interesting!!! Better get my thinking cap on right now!! :confused:

[hedge]

CLH,

I had a first birth in the mercy birthing centre in melbourne - and it was great. A big posterior baby too - don't let anyone put you off!

However, arm yourself with information - knowledge is power, as they say. It sounds as though your birth centre is attached to a hospital - and as such, it will still be under "hospital rules" - ie - the protocols of the main hospital usually apply.

Ask lots of questions - How long will they let you go overdue b/f induction? If you are admitted to hospital for a late pregnancy "problem" (such as waters breaking well before labor begins, labor b/f 37 weeks, baby's heartrate dipping on routine pre-labor monitoring) - how long before they induce you (24 hours is often the case, following the Friedman Curve)? How long will they let you second stage (often no more than 2 hours), will they let you breech birth under certain circumstances? will you have the right to refuse EFM? Will you be permitted to birth in the bath?

Enough overwhelming questions! The point I'm trying to make is that a fairly high percentage of first-time mums are transferred out of birth centres (at the Mercy, from memory it was 30-40%) and into the main stream labor ward of the relevant hospital - for reasons as above, or sometimes simply because there was no room in the birth centre on the day.

But this is NOT the end of the world either. If you are well informed about the medicalisation of birth, the "cascade of interventions" and realistic about the protocols of hospital medicine and how they might apply to you, you can evaluate the advice you are given during labor. A good comprehensive birth plan helps. Assertiveness is essential though - I needed my grumpy pregnant woman power at times!

I was transferred out of the birth centre right at hte end of my labor because of cord compression - so I actually gave birth down the hall. However the labor ward staff followed our birth plan to the letter and were FANTASTIC. We were then allowed to transfer back into the birth centre for the rest of our stay with all the lovely things that means - double bed, midwife assistance when we needed it but largely left alone to get on with it, lactation consultant and general relaxed atmosphere.

So I'd say - BC births are the best choice for hospital-based birth, but it is no failure if you don't make it all the way through in the BC. Stats show that satisfaction relating to your baby's birth is not about the HOW, it's about your agency and how you feel empowered to be heard and make active decisions in birthing. In this way, it is possible for even an emergency ceasar to be a positive experience.

I have a good reading list if you'd like to private message me.

cheers

hedge

[CLH]

Hedge, what a great post - thank you so much! Full of great info and I will pm you.

I actually got a call from the BC yesterday and i have a place!!! :smiliedance: So excited, saw my midwife today and very happy, she;'s lovely and it's nice to ahve someone I can call up anytime and who I know is working for my best interests. Nae, hope you get that call soon!!

[WarriorMummy]

i had my 1st in a bc
and 2nd too
and am currently seeing the midwives of the bc for my 3rd
who needs doctors
especially 1 who cant read ( stoopisdumba$s)

[CLH]

who needs doctors especially 1 who cant read ( stoopisdumba$s)

What about one that doesn't tick the 'pregnant' box on your pathology forms!!! Muppets! :laughing:

[MelissafromSyd]

Hi Cat,

congratulations on your pregnancy.

Of course you can go to a birth centre for your birth! It's one of the best ways of ensuring that your pregnancy and birth remain normal and healthy. The other option would be a home birth.

If you want a 100% natural birth, then birth centre is the way to go - the midwives there specialise in natural birth. If you are after continuity of care, an independent midwife is a good option.

Take care,
Melissa.