Waterbirth - please help!

[Butterfliez]

Does anyone know of a hospital in South Eastern Melbourne that does Water Births? I found Casey Hospital in Berwick, which is lovely, but it is public. Very nice, only max of 2 people to a room, but apparently not all midwives can do a water birth, so if I went into labour when they are not on shift, I can't have one. Also, if the baby went into breech and I needed a ceaserarean, they would shift me to Dandenong which I am not too keen on. Do I take the chance I don't need a ceasar and go there, or should I get private health cover and go to Penninsula Private where they have baths for the labour, but you can't birth in them? I also heard that they cannot make you get out if you want to birth in the bath. Is this true?

I would really appreciate any feedback. Thanks guys!

Love Jen;)

[MamaSage]

From what I know, many midwives are not trained in water birthing. If you are dead set on having a WB, you may be better to have a homebirth, as homebirth midwives generally do water births.
As for the staff not being able to make you get out tof the bath, this is correct, but they can remove the plug :mad: so all the water will go away.
AS for private health, if you are already pregnant it is too late as there is normally a 12 month qualifying period.

[Butterfliez]

Thanks Carlia. I am not pregnant yet. That is why we are tossing up whether to get private health insurance or not. If we do, obviously we will have to wait a bit longer before TTC.

I have gotten so stressed because I just don't know what to do! I definately don't want to birth at home, just in case something goes wrong. But if I end up having a C-section, I can't stay at Casey hospital, they will shift me off.

I just want to find a private hospital near me that did water births and then I would be happy! Too many decisions and choices...

[emtez]

from what i kow the Angliss hospital in Upper frentree gully has a birth center that can do water births but again i think you have to have a midwife their who knows what they are doing. This is for safety of you and the baby. They also have aregular birth suite across the hall so if bubs was breech or you needed a c-section you still stay in the same hospital. They are pretty good there and would usually try to give you tips to turn a breech before they would refer you on. You could ring them and find out more info.

[Jamily]

I am from Sydney so don't know anything about Casey Hospital, but I had Emily at a Birth Centre where there were birthing pools but no 'qualifed' midwives. However I was told that if I got into the bath and refused to get out there was nothing they could do

I had a beautiful waterbirth (as planned ;) ) so I would defs say you can do the same thing.

[MamaSage]

What makes you think the baby may be breech? You have more chance of a C/S for other reasons than a breech baby. And it is possible to birth a breech babe vaginally.

[Butterfliez]

Thanks heaps everyone. Thought c-section was only due to breech (can tell I am new to this!) Maybe I will ring the Angliss. Only prob is I am from Frankston so it is a bit far. Maybe not too much further than Berwick though. My sis had c-section with all 3 kids, cuz they said her pelvis was too small to fit bub thru, but my other sis had 3 natural births, so it is only for the "what if?"

[Funkychicken]

Hey Jennine, I posted to you in the Bayside thread but thought I would add-most births are normal, average Vaginal births. We seem to read so much about C-sec's that we think it is just as normal to have them. If you have a normal pregnancy and birth in a birth centre the chances of a C-sec are pretty low. Plus if you believe in your body (faith that your body knows what to do), it can make a huge difference. The use of drugs and epidurals is a huge contributor to C-sec's. This obviously doesn't include medical reasons for needing a C-sec.:)

[Butterfliez]

Thanks Sally, I know what you mean. C-Sections are becoming way too common now. I mean an elective one? Who would want to deliberately have one? So, I will trust in myself...but I need to get pregnant first...hubby????