Brisbane Birth Centre or Nambour Selangor

[little bean]

Does anyone have experience with either of these two? If possible, I would like to try a water birth. As far as I'm aware, these are the only two places that allow this.

I have two main concerns/questions -

1) the cost of going private (I've heard people say it costs $2000 to $5000 to go through the private system). Is this about right?

2) If I go to the Birth Centre and it ends up being too painful and I want an epidural, would I be allowed to have one? Any information about this? I would like to try to go natural but, as it's the first one, you never know...:rolleyes:

[melbee70]

not sure if im going to be much help - i had DD at RBWH as i missed the ballot to get into the birth centre but my SIL has had 3 babies at selangor - one was a water birth without pain relief & she said it was amazing after a really hard birth with her first baby -good luck with your birth

[kadownie]

We did our antenatal at Selangor- it was lovely- though we didn't birth there as we don't have private health insurance.

As for the BC- if you decide in labour that you would like an epidural, you would be transferred out of the BC into the normal labour ward at the RBH- that's my understanding anyway.

[Tea Lady]

An important thing to realise is that you're not guaranteed a place in the BC - it's a ballot system and apparently alot of ppl miss out. Are you pg already? If so you need to get cracking if you want a chance- they draw the ballot when you're 16 wks.

Kadownie is right about the epi - but I think you get to take your midwife with you to the labour ward, so at least that's something! You can have peth and gas in the BC. Good luck deciding! :)

[ElizaDee]

I am birthing at Selangor, I can have an epi at any stage of the labour (unless baby is coming and I am already 10cm) I can choose the bath or not as well. I have all the choices I want and I get to stay in the birth room, they have three and it is very rare that all three are taken at the same time and you don't get in, although it can happen. Its a first come first serve basis.

My OB cost me $1700 but he is really good! I highly recommend him, he is patient and doesn't rush you out in appointments and tells you what to expect next (since I am a first time mum) My health cover has an excess of $50 a day for 4 days then all is free (this is how I keep my premiums lower) so all up my birth should cost $1700 + $200 this is if it is without problems, as if I end up having a peadiatrican present (required at all c/s) then he is extra.

It can be more expensive but I have to say that I am happy with the way all the midwives have treated me so far,they are all so nice and friendly. They let you have the birth experience you want as long as there is no danger to you or your baby. :)

Pm me if you want any more info...

[*Country Bumpkin*]

Im due next week and Im going to the birth centre at the RBWH.... I have two excellent midwifes who have looked after me since i was about 20 weeks and I cant speak highly enough of them

In regards to your question about epi's... You CAN have an epi BUT you will be transfered out of the Birth centre and into the mainstream labour and delivery ward- which is litterlay about 2meteres from the birth centre door....This will also happen should you require any form of medical intervention that a Dr is needed for.

As tea lady said -iTs important to remember that not everyone gets taken into the Birth centre- it works from a ballot system. To have a chance at getting in you need to advise your midwife at your FIRST maternity outpatients appointment that you want birth centre care!! and make sure she writes it on your file. Also when your Dr sends the initial referal to the hospy get him/her to write down that you want birth centre care as a bit of a heads up.

You do need to be quick though.. there are only 4 rooms at the birth centre and ALOT of women try to get in

Good luck!!:)

[BecH]

Hi,

I had my bub at the birth Centre. If I had wanted an epidural then I would have been transferred to the birth suite, but then after birth I was told I would come back to the Birth centre rooms, as long as there was space. I must say if you think you are going to want an epi they will try and help you with as many natural options as possible before they consider it. Having said that I had a 30 hour labour and am so glad I did it without drugs, as I went home with bubs 9 hours later (my choice) and it was wonderful.

Good luck

[little bean]

Thanks so much for your responses:)

Not pregnant yet but we're working on it - I wasn't immune to rubella so had to get immunised and wait three very long months!! In the meantime, I've been doing a lot of reading and finding out about pregnancy and birth - probably more than I ever wanted to know:rolleyes:

[ButterflyMama]

This is prolly a stupid question.. but what's the difference between giving birth at a hospital compared to giving birth in a Birth Centre? :confused:

[stellarella]

I had my boy at RBWH Birth Centre and I can only say that the midwives there are amazing and wonderful. I contacted them at 5 weeks and was very lucky to get in as they only take 50 women each month.

I had an epidural after 30 something hours, but although you are taken to a birth suite you still have your midwife with you and no one else, and the same for being induced. And afterwards you still get to stay in the birth centre with a double bed.

I had a wonderful experience there even though I had a long posterior labour and asked for pain relief when it was DEFINATELY not in my birth plan.

If you are able to brith there you will be supported in whatever you choose to do and its wonderful knowing that your care providers are supportive of a natural, drug free, active labour and birth, it takes a lot of pressure off.

[stellarella]

This is prolly a stupid question.. but what's the difference between giving birth at a hospital compared to giving birth in a Birth Centre? :confused:

To answer this question. In a birth centre your care providers are midwives and you do not see your doctor or an obstetrician for checkups. You see 1 or 2 midwives for your entire pregnancy and they are with you for the birth.

They support you to have a natural, active, drug free birth and often you can use water and give birth underwater if you wish.

Interventions are very limited. If all is going well you are left to labour without constant monitoring of baby, and the midwives allow things to progress in their own time without getting stressed and wanting to do a emergency c sec. etc.

You are expected to take an active role in your labour and pregnancy by reading etc so you are informed of the process of labour and encouraged to give birth actively (ie, not lying down on a bed, rather squatting, walking, kneeling, on all fours etc.)

The rooms are more homely with a double bed for partner to stay the night etc.

You are usually discharged after 24 hours and can go home or ask to go to the maternity ward if you wish.

If you want drugs or are having complications you will be transferred to a regualr birth suite (often just down the hall), but you will still have your midwife with you and unless there are comps. no one else has to be there.

[little bean]

Thanks, Stellarella
You have made me feel so much better. I was worried that if I chose the birth centre (and was lucky enough to get it!) that I'd be stuck with no option for pain relief if I really needed it. As it's my first, it's really an unknown but I'd love to have a go at a natural, active birth (particularly a water birth).

MissBehave, I could be wrong about this, but my understanding is that the birth centres let you move around and do whatever comes naturally during labour. I am particularly interested in water births, and I don't think that's available in hospitals so that's why I'm looking into birth centres. I get the impression that, as long as it's not dangerous for the baby, the birth centres would encourage you to use natural methods to give birth rather than intervening.

[stellarella]

No worries, I would recommend the birth centre to anyone. I think they offer the perfect balance of being supportive of no drugs, active birth, as natural and intervention free as possible, but also the option of an epidural if it gets too much.

You never know what is going to happen. However because you are in the birth centre you are less likely to ask for drugs unless you really think you cant go on. And although she will never mention drugs unless you ask for them, she will tell you honestly if she thinks you would benefit from an epidural.

[ArnaNZ]

Hi Little Bean,

I can completely back up everything that Stellarella has said about the birth centre at RBWH - the centre and the amazing midwives who man it are fantastic!!!

I too had a difficult labour - bubba was OP and the whole thing lasted 22 hours. I was offered gas during the hard parts (when they broke my waters and as baby went posterior to also help with the back pain) and then as I started to push it was taken away from me so I could concentrate. Unfotunately we needed medical intervention also and I was taken down to the Birth Suites and had the help of a doctor and a team of nurses BUT 3 of the midwives came too and they were there when our boy was born. I still gave birth naturally and they made sure that bubba was on my boob and suckin within minutes of the birth. I was then transferred back the birth centre where we camped overnight (the best part is that your partner gets to stay the night with you there too) and because we had no complications and it was a natural birth we were sent home the next day!

Even though I didn't give birth in the water the pool was such a great source of pain relief. I really wanted to give birth in the water too but actually as I progressed through the labour I felt more grounded when I had my feet on the ground. The shower was fantastic too!

When we try for number 2 we'll definitely be putting our hand up to go back there again. AND the best part is that even if you're not able to see your assigned midwife you get another one who treats you exactly the same way. It's lovely as you get to know everyone really well. We also still pop up every month to say hi and so that our midwives get to see our bubba progress.

Anyway - I too would highly recommend giving it a go. It's such a fantastic thing to be able to say that you really worked with your body and gave birth naturally (well it is for me anyway!!!) :)

Take care and good luck

Arna

[MrsMiggins]

I have heard brilliant things about Selangor from every single person I know who has birthed there.

Water birth is something they very definitely do.

If I could afford private cover, I would be going there without a second's hesitation!!

I even considered taking out private cover just so I could birth there with #2, but fell PG before I could give it some serious consideration.

That said, I had DD at Nambour General and they were absolutely fantastic! I have no problem going back there for #2. They have a bath you can labour in & while they don't do water births, they will deliver your baby in the bath if you are labouring there & can't get out in time. Apparently they are one of the few pulic hospitals in QLD allowed to use the bath for submersion in labour (or so we were told at our antenatal class & also when we went on the hospital tour). Apparently many hospitals actually have the baths but are banned from using them for women in active labour "in case" they have to deliver in the water. Hence NGH have very strict rules on who can & cannot labour in the bath.

[salt water]

MissBehave, I could be wrong about this, but my understanding is that the birth centres let you move around and do whatever comes naturally during labour. I am particularly interested in water births, and I don't think that's available in hospitals so that's why I'm looking into birth centres. I get the impression that, as long as it's not dangerous for the baby, the birth centres would encourage you to use natural methods to give birth rather than intervening.
Hi little bean,
I have just had my baby at Selangor and was encouraged and supported the whole time in my quest to have an active and natural birth. I asked for a drug free labour (crazy person, I know), and I got what I wanted. I had been hoping for a water birth but bub was in distress and so this was not possible, but there was no medical intervention at any stage. I gave birth to my beautiful daughter with the help of the excellent midwives who were totally supportive.
I just loved my experience at Selangor (this was my third bub but first at Selangor), before, during and after so good luck!!

[tammiet]

Hi I had both my children at the BC. I had my second child in the bath and it was fantastic. I totally loved it. In regards to wanting an epi, as long as you have enough time to get one they will take you out into the mainstream area give it to you and your midwife goes with you, then you can go back to your own room. The BC is the best place to have a baby, as long as you can get in. When i have my next i hope and pray and cross all my fingers that i get in. Good luck. Hope all the replys helps you. Tammie