RBWH Birth Centre - Any Recent Experiences?

[SaraJ]

Hi All!

I am 9 weeks pregnant and although I have my heart set on a Homebirth, financially its not looking very good for me! :(

So I've been and see the GP and she says that my only option being Northside is the RBWH. Now I wanted to go The Mater if I was going to have a Hospital Birth cause I have been doing my Midwifery Prac there and I know most of the Midwives. But having all this catchment area b/s looks as tho I have to go RBWH.

So I know that the RBWH Birth Centre has a Ballot System so I figured I better put my referral in soon just incase I end up not being able to afford the Homebirth.

I was just reading through there "check list" and I might fall into one of the "no-no" criteria's as I had a PPH of more than 1000mls last time (totally not my fault but thats another story). But I am going to get the GP to send a referral over anyways.

So....Has anyone had any recent experiences over there??? If so:

What was your experience like?

Were you able to Water Birth?

How many people can you have in with you?

Were you happy with the care?

Feel free to add any other bits and pieces you like about your experience!


Thanks in advance!

[waitsee]

Hey Sara

I went to the RBWH Birth Centre; Birth Story here:

http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/showthread.php?t=301391

What was your experience like? I had great care throughout my pregnancy and awesome support and care during labour and birth of my Son. :D

Were you able to Water Birth?

No - details in Birth Story

How many people can you have in with you?

I'd say your support team but you could discuss with them.

Were you happy with the care? Yup, My midwives were great. :goodvibes:

[Chaton]

I had my DS at the Birth Centre in March. I'd highly recommend it!

What was your experience like?

Wonderful - I got the natural drug free birth I wanted. The midwives in my team of 3 were all very friendly and I felt very comfortable with them. The rooms are very warm and homely, a little sad that you normally can only stay 6 - 8 hours afterwards but we got to stay overnight (almost 24 hours from arriving to discharge) because they weren't going to kick us out at midnight and they wanted a paediatrician to check DS due to a large fontanelle caput he had at birth.

My only complaint was that they REALLY pimp the staying at home as long as you can and we wound up having to get an ambulance in to the hospy. I never had contractions 2 - 3 min apart and 60 sec long for a sustained length of time so they didn't seem to think I was as close as I was, til I started feeling like pushing at home!

Were you able to Water Birth?

I wanted to, and I got in the tub when it was full and spent a couple of hours in there but as DS was presenting with the front of his head not the back we needed gravity to help, so after a short stint on the birth stool I wound up birthing standing up and leaning over the change table.

How many people can you have in with you?

I only had DH, but that's how we wanted it. They do ask to meet all your support people at least once before you have your bub. There is no real limit on number of people but they will probably chat to you to make sure you have enough support as well as people designated to look after any of your other children you wish to be present.

Were you happy with the care?

I was thrilled with it. They called every day when I went home to check on us and were very helpful. I was welcome to call anytime with questions before and after the birth.

I wound up with mastitis and was readmitted to the regular maternity ward for IV antibiotics and had an abcess drained from one breast. The midwife who delivered my DS visited me every day. I really felt they cared.

[Peajae]

Hi All!

I am 9 weeks pregnant and although I have my heart set on a Homebirth, financially its not looking very good for me! :(

So I've been and see the GP and she says that my only option being Northside is the RBWH. Now I wanted to go The Mater if I was going to have a Hospital Birth cause I have been doing my Midwifery Prac there and I know most of the Midwives. But having all this catchment area b/s looks as tho I have to go RBWH.


CONGRATULATIONS!

I haven't delivered at the birth centre, but I just wanted to let you know that I know a couple of women who work at the royal and were allowed to deliver there even though they fall into the mater catchment area. I think they used the reason that it was easier for them to attend their appointments when they were working there or something, and also I think sometimes they can make exceptions like that for staff.

Also vice versa, a couple of girls didn't want to deliver at the royal because they work there and preferred to not have people they work with being their midwives, doctor etc for privacy reasons, and so were allowed to deliver at the mater even though they were in the royal catchment.

So it might be worth a shot trying that with the mater? Especially if you had your heart set on going there.

[Blairysmum]

I hadmy DD through the birth center at RBWH, I thought it was fantastic the mid wives were great!!
I agree with that thy really incourage you to stay at home I went into labour at 2am on saturday morning and didn't go into hospital until 7am Sunday morning! We spoke to them on the phone DD was posterior and when I told them I was having back pain they told me it was going to be a long labour!! I had her at mid-day and they said that was a long time to be at the hospital (5 hours!)
They were really supportive and followed my birth plan!
Not all the mid-wives are trained in water birth.
I had my husband, mother and my two sisters in the room who were 12 and 3! But I could of had as many people as I liked... They said it's up to me, wonder what would of happened if I wanted 30 people in there!!
Good luck with tour wonderful journey! I hope you get the experiance you want!