Water Birth at Family Birth Centre (KEMH)

[MishL]

Hi everyone :wave:

I am 30 weeks pregnant with my first child.

I would love some feedback on anyone who has had some recent experience with the FBC in Perth. I have recently changed from going private to now registering with the FBC as I really want to be able to have a water birth.

However, I am gettting alot of people tell me that they are very strict in their criteria and most people who plan to go there end up getting transferred to the main hospital. I understand all the medical issues and reasons why they can be transferred but someone told me that they actually only give you 24hrs to use the facilities then they kick you out? :confused:

Any feedback on the FBC would be awesome! Thanks ladies.

M. :)

[katw]

Hi MishL,
I had my daughter at the FBC in December 2009. I cant speak more highly of them.

Waterbirths have been approved now in all hospitals as long as they follow guidelines. I believe at FBC that means having two midwifes present at the actual birth bit.

I gave birth in the water to my girl. I had one wonderful midwife Jannie for the 5 hours of labour I had at the centre and another Susan joined us for the last 30 minutes.

I tested Strep B positive before birth and they were happy for me to labour in teh centre as long as I got a dose of antibiotics during it.

When my waters broke - i had some meconimum staining but they didnot transfer me as I went from waters going to having Emma about 30 minutes later.

We stayed in the centre for just under 24 hours ( i would have gone home earlier) but they wanted to monitor bub due to my Strep B positive test.

They were extremely supportive and very happy for me to have a water birth. Emma was 8 pounds born (4.1 kilos) much bigger than my first daughter and I had no tearing or stitches and i loved giving birth in the water.

I would def go there again.

THere are guidelines about labour not progressing etc etc but they are very keen to help you along as long as bub is ok.

I believe that not many first birth women remain in teh centre and get transferred to the hospital for pain relief. I think subsequent births are much more common at the centre.

Hope this helps. Any other questions just ask x

[MishL]

Hi Katw

Thanks so much for your feedback - it was really helpful. I'm looking forward to the experience and feeling confident that I will get through it all. Will be using breathing techniques and relaxation to keep me relaxed as much as possible and hopefully can pull through it all without too much trouble.

Fingers crossed all goes to plan!

:wave: