Gold Coast Birthing Centre

[andysmum]

I had my son at the new GC Birthing Centre at GC Hospital, Southport 2 months ago (it opened 2 months before that). It was wonderful (well as wonderful as childbirth can be!). I had a fantastic male midwife and excellent in home care before and after the birth.

[Jenko]

I'm glad you had a good experience there. I'm trying to book in there atm. I finally got through to the birth centre yesterday after calling them for a week with no answer and there was nobody there who could help me, so someone took my details and said it could be a week or two before someone gets back to you. This is just to book into :eek:

I really hope they aren't booked out by the time i finally get to have a conversation with someone!!

Is it right that a midwife will come to your house for your monthly appointments whilst pregnant? I'm sure i was told this, but i'll be amazed if they do.

[PinkBinkie]

This sounds great, hope I get to try it out!! I had my first DD at the Gold Coast Hosp last June, before the new birth centre was available. I couldn't fault them. Great midwifes, great maternity ward, even the food was nice!! But I'd love to see what this new birthing centre is like.

My first appt at the antenatal clinic is 5 Sept. How does the birth centre work? Is it just a matter of booking or is there criteria you have to meet? Sorry if I'm hijacking this thread :D

[andysmum]

Hi bubbalucy and jennasmum,

Happy to tell you all I know about GCBC.
How I had Andrew there:

I went for my 1st appointment at the hospital (I had been seeing my GP before this). I was about 6 months. I read some info on a pamphlet they gave me there and asked the Obst about it. She said they were only taking limited numbers - low risk pregnancies and she would put my name down. I got a call a couple of weeks later 2 see if I was still interested. The midwife said they were having a meeting and all ladies interested would be discussed and the midwives would choose 6 mothers each. There were 6 midwives. I got a call a few days later from Roy asking me if I would like to give birth at the centre with him as my midwife. I obviously said yes. I do know that the Obst. has to refer you to the centre. You need to want a natural birth.

If things change later and u want an epidural u will be transfered to the labour ward. (They are right next to each other so a doctor is always nearby). I used water (in shower and bath) and gas as pain relief.

Once I was accepted, I no longer had to c my GP or go to hospital appoinments. Roy took over all my care. I went to the BC for 1 appointment to look around. There are 2 rooms at GC. They are a bit more homely than the labour ward, have ensuite (with double head shower), kitchenette with fridge, microwave, jug and toaster, and a big bath. You can stay in the room over night with your partner as long as no one else needs it for labour.

From then on Roy came to my house for all my care. It was a dream! He even came to my house 4am the night I went into labour to save us all going to the hospital. Roy finished up 2 days after I had Andrew but Pat took over and we were visited at home after the birth until I felt it wasn't needed.

It is a fabulous service!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I wish it was available to all women that wanted it.

This week I went to a meeting with Friends of the Birth Centre. It's a group for women that have been to BC and those that want to.

The next meeting is Monday 18th September at Southport Library Meeting Room (third Monday each month)
10am - 12 noon, BYO plate of morning tea to share. Come along and find out more.

Contact:
Rebecca Taylor
hrtaylor@bigpond.net.au or visit www.fbc.org.au (http://www.fbc.org.au)

Hope I haven't :ecomcity: to much. If you want more info feel free to ask.

[PinkBinkie]

Thanks Michelle. Great info. I had no idea how it worked. Pity it's such limited numbers as it sounds so lovely. It'd be great to have the same midwife and no hospital appts (that take forever!!). I'll be asking to sign up for sure.
Thanks again!:)

[Jenko]

Thanks for all that Michelle, i don't know many people up here so it's nice to hear of a good experience at the birth centre. I haven't heard back from the BC yet, i will give it a few more days and maybe give them a ring again.

I love the idea of the big bath, that was bliss when i was in labour with DD. After giving birth with no drugs i said never again, next time i'm having an epidural for sure......and here i am trying to book in to the BC! lol it's true you forget the pain :laughing:

Question: Do you know how many support people they allow in the room with you?

[andysmum]

Mel,

I know exactly what you mean about the pain thing. In the middle of it all I actually said I wasn't doing it again - I don't remember - but now only 8 weeks on I'm like what pain, when will we have another:laughing: .

The bath was lovely - I actually wanted to have a water birth but unfortunately he had pooed. I got in and 2 min later my water broke, meconian (however you spell it) in water and had to get out:( .

You are allowed at least 2 support people. Not sure if they restrict it or not. They are open to having other children there as well provided they have their own support person.

Keep me posted on contact from them. What number do you have? I might have a different one though I'm prob not meant to give it out. But if they don't contact you soon I will.

:fingerscrossed: you get accepted,
Cheers Michelle

[andysmum]

To Jodi and Mel

It is a shame that there are limited numbers so come along to the friend of the birth centre meeting. They are the reason the choice is even available. More members means more can be done. Brisbane now has 4 rooms due to lobbying.

Love to see you there, Michelle

[PinkBinkie]

Thanks Michelle. I'll try and make it to the meeting on the 18/9. Can you bring your little ones along? My daughter is 14mths.

[blatted]

hi michelle, a cetain male midwife here. glad you enjoyed the experience and it's certainly nice to read about it. how are you all:D

[Jinglebells]

Hey Mel it might be a bit late to get into the birth centre, cause when I booked (and got in hehe) they were just about all booked up for Jan and that was a few mths ago, I rang whan I found out I was preggers, ooh you would love the bath, its huge inthere and the lovely wooden bassenet, and the quees size (or is it double ) bed, i'm hoping all goes well with the rest of this pregnancy so I can continue with the birth centre, otherwise i'll have to move on, do ring them back and get on the list anyways, cause you never know, there maybe others like me that may not beable to birth there in the end, ooh and as for how many people your allowed in there, its up to you i think, if i get to birth there i'll be having a few, i like having lots of people in there with me,

[andysmum]

Hello, hello, hello:wave:
So glad to be in touch again. Andrew, Brad and I are going great! Andrew is amazing. He hardly cries, sleeps 10 hours a night and a couple of day sleeps.
So how is NZ? It's being raining here all week which is good.
Once again a big thankyou! :hugs:
I knew we wouldn't lose touch:smiliedance: .
Love Michelle

[blatted]

quite by chance, really. Greyeyes (post before yours) told me about this website cos i hadn't heard of it. I know her under a different name from a different site and also from the birth centre where she is booked for feb next year. she was recently over here in NZ and we caught up then.

It's been really quite lovely over here recently, warm temps and spring is definitely in the air. I've had quite a few babies here already but none in Andy's league. I'm so glad it's working well for you.

I sent you a private thread too

[Jenko]

Michelle - I will try and make it to the BC meeting. I still haven't heard from them. The number i have is 5519 8234. I might try and give them another call in the next few days, although from what Jo says it may be booked out. I hope i get in, i knew i should have called straight away but i really wasn't sure if i wanted to take the BC path again! Oh well, it may be out of my hands now.

Jo-I hope everything goes well with your scan this afternoon. Let us know how you go. :hugs:

[Jenko]

Gosh talk about 6 degress of seperation. The middy that Michelle was raving about just happens to see Jo in NZ and here you all are! Too funny!! :laughing: :laughing:

[Jinglebells]

lol Mel, its a small small world ay, you never know who knows who lol, hey give the birth centre a call again, I just rang the GC hosp and asked them to put me through to the birth centre, you may as well, cause you never know, i'll keep my fingers crossed for you, where are you booked into at the moment?

oh and hey Roy :wave:

[blatted]

hey jennas mum, the number you have is the correct one but the midwives are always in and out cos they most of the visits at home. keep trying, or try the main hospital number and ask for Jocelyn Toohill - she's the unit manager there.

Good news on Jo's scan yesterday :yes:

[shell25]

Hi all very happy to hear the Gold Coast birth centre is helping families have the birth experiences they deserve... I had my 6 week old boy Dante' at the Brisbane Birth Centre, hoped for water birth too though only arrived at hospital with 12 minutes to spear!! Does anyone know why Gold Coast midwifes can do home visits and not Brisbane?
ME-25
Daz-31
Step son 13
Dante' 6wks

[blatted]

guidelines and pay structures. The brisbane model has been running for a good few years now and the midwives that work there are expected to be available to work a shift system. consequently, they have restricted hours. the gold coast BC midwives are employed as caseloading midwives and are able to work away from the hospital. They do not work rostered shifts and the hours, while full time, are flexible and allow the midwives to take time offwhen they are not busy.

With the recent enterprise bargain, the same model was offered to RWBH but was declined at management level.

Not an easy on to explain, but i hope it helps:yes:

[shell25]

Great thanks for the info on the differnce Go more Birth Centres!!

[andysmum]

I can't believe I found roy (well he found me) and that he knows you greyeyes.
He is a legendary midwife and sorry GCBC lost such an asset.

Mel, Any luck getting hold of BC? I wish it was an option for all women not limited. We all deserve the right to choose where and how we give birth. :fingerscrossed: for you.

andy awake, catchya later
love michelle

[Jenko]

Ahh Michelle you wouldn't believe i just got off the phone from them about 20 mins ago. I called and finally got someone...I spoke to a midwife who took all my details and asked the 101 questions so now i just have to wait and see if there are any available spaces.....they will get back to me. If there's not, i can go on the waiting list....:fingerscrossed: i might hear some good news soon.

Jo, i'm doing shared care atm with my GP. I'm just booked into the regular delivery suites at the GCH.

[blatted]

finally. i hope you get in there too. I know michelles real happy about her experience. and i'm pretty sure Jo is happy with her's so far too. The only thing not in your favour so far is, you haven't met me and the other two ladies did :rolleyes: . Don't worry, i don't have that much influence believe me. Good luck. Roy :fingerscrossed:

[kimberlee]

Just wondering if the birthing centre is covered by medicare or not?
TIA

[Jenko]

Hi Kimberlee, yes the birth centre is covered by medicare. I'm still waiting to hear if i got in. Might give them a call this week.

Bummer you're not still there Roy, i may have had a head start in convincing you to take me on. :laughing:

[nae1709]

Hi, my husband & I are currently trying to conceive. I am the type of person that needs to know everything that I'm getting myself into and I am extremely excited about the Gold Coast Birthing Centre.

I was born at the GC Hospital myself almost 27 yrs ago and have always wished to have my own children there however as friends & family are having children and I get to visit the maternity ward I don't think it is the place for me. I love the comfort of my own home & the thought of having those closest to me around when it suits me & bub not when the hospital allows it.

Can anyone please tell me the guidelines set out i.e. I have heard that first time pregnancies are not preferred also how overweight is too overweight? I am currently 10 kgs heavier than my gp would like to but I am positive I can lose the majority of that prior to conception. So anyone that could shed some light would be appreciated. Thanks :wave:

[hope20]

I called up the Birthing Centre today & spoke to someone & they got my name & number down & explained the differences to me between maternity ward & birthing centre as I had no idea between them as this is my 1st pregnancy.

Im 16 wks, is it too late to go on the waiting list now & what chances do I have on getting in?

The lady on the phone said a midwife will call within the next week & my GP has 2 send a referral up to the hospital but she wont do that until I have had my 18 week scan & given me blood results from checking to see if it could have downsyndrome etc, is that why she wont send the referral until that date?

[my_lot]

That does seem a little strange, you dont even have to have those tests done.

[CLH]

Somethings odd there - I got into the birth centre on just a call off my own back to them, no GP refferal. My GP was anti me going to the BC as it was my first and I'd surely want doctors and pain releif near (she obviously doesn't know anything about the BC!!!) so I called them myself. This was at about 6weeks and I had my first visit at about 12weeks from the midwife.

I didn't have any tests done first - I would give them a call back and have another chat with them, they are lovely there but busy so if you don't get a call back straight away don't worry. Were there any complications or anything going on when the midwife went through lots of medical questions?