Birth Centre near penrith!?

[joshysmummy]

Just wondering if anyone knows of any birthing centres in or around Penrith?
I know of the one at Blacktown, has anyone had good experiance with them?
I dont want to have a hospital birth, im stuk on what to do!

Thanks!

[MelissafromSyd]

There are only 3 birth centres in Sydney - St George Hosp, Royal Hosp for Women and RPA. Belmont has a midwifery-led unit (like a birth centre). Blacktown doesn't have a birth centre, as in a separate and distinct area from delivery suite, with it's own group of midwives and its own "clientele", but it has a good reputation for being low-intervention.

What sort of birth experience are you after?

[joshysmummy]

Thanks for your reply!
Im confused as to whats around as we moved up not too long ago, and are not too familiar as to whats available.

I was wanting a home birth, but hubbys being hard to convince. So i thought a birthing centre would be the next best thing. Im wanting as non - hospital like as possible lol. Im wanting as few medicals in the room as possible and as natural as possible. My first birth with my son was good, but i didnt like all the doctors & nurses in the room, and people all having a look, touch etc.

[MelissafromSyd]

Hi there,
If you want a home birth and your DH is not keen .... why not meet with a midwife (with your DH) and you can both ask all the questions you have? The midwife can bring some of the equipment that's used in a homebirth and talk throuh your concerns with you - this might help allay your DH's concerns.

Birth centres are within hospitals (usually down the corridor from delivery suite) and if you don't meet their criteria to get in or remain low risk throughout pregnancy, labour and birth (including having all the tests they require), your care is transferred to delivery suite. I don't call this real choice! In a HB, it's up to you what you do and nothing is "not allowed". In hospital, there's no guarantee that there won't be a few people there - if you've transferred to delivery suite and something goes "wrong" in their eyes, you're loking at having a doctor 2, 2 midwives, a paed etc in the room.

It's really up to you what you want to do - hubby can be re-educated :) PM me if you're after more info.