Belmont or John Hunter Birth Centre??

[KMM]

Hi Ladies,

I just have a few questions for anyone who has birthed at Belmont Birthing Centre. I am currently trying to decide whether to birth at Belmont or go thorugh the John Hunter birth centre.

I am leaning more towards Belmont, as i feel their continuity of care is excellent, however, i have some reservations about coming home straight after the birth, i have a toddler at home and had a pretty tough recovery from his birth and some breastfeeding issues ( i'm hoping to avoid both this time round) however, i cant help but feel a little anxious.

I'm not as keen on the John Hunter birth centre as i would see a number of midwives through my pregnancy and might see 2 or 3 during my labour, however, i do have the option of staying in hospital for a few days!

So i'm hoping someone might be willing to share their experience with me, either at Belmont and going home straight after, or at the John Hunter and staying??

Thanks ladies :)

[narahel]

I also would be interested in answers to your questions

[Shanaynay]

*bump* Anyone got any advice? :D

[peanutbutter&jelly]

I've heard really fantastic things about JH :)

Nice to see you around again Phineas :goodvibes:

[DoneAndDusted]

Hi, I have not Birthed at Belmont as was not able to due to having a previous CS and PPH. BUT I did however receive my care through Belmont's Group Midwifery Model of Care and I guess technically was one of there patients but with the 'provisions' set by the Dr (who took over from Dr Bisits) to birth at JH Birth Centre. I had all appointments at Belmont (could have had either Belmont or JHH, wherever suited my midwife and I on the day), and had the one midwife. Just give them a call (Belmont Directly) and discuss your concerns with them. They are absolutely lovely and I'm pretty sure you can birth at Belmont and transfer over to JHH is you like for a postnatal stay if you wish...

In the end I never actually stepped foot in JH Birth Centre as DD arrived early and before I got my tour, so I can't actually tell you anything about there as I had to deliver in the Delivery Suite due to her being prem, but had my MW present for the entire labour and birth (mind you was very fast).

Happy to answer any q's you think I may be able to help with :)

[mimsie]

Sorry to gatecrash - d&d who did take over from Bisits? I started at jhh a week after he started in Sydney and am in his Yemaya group for vbac that he set up while here, but at the time it was all up in the air as to what would happen. It's still running fine though. (I was just sent to the OB they thought most likely to agree - Prof Symonds - as I've had multiple Caesars.

[DoneAndDusted]

Sorry to gatecrash - d&d who did take over from Bisits? I started at jhh a week after he started in Sydney and am in his Yemaya group for vbac that he set up while here, but at the time it was all up in the air as to what would happen. It's still running fine though. (I was just sent to the OB they thought most likely to agree - Prof Symonds - as I've had multiple Caesars.

Sorry mimsie, I missed this!

I'm not sure tbh, when I was discussing with my MW my birth options and I asked if I could be atleast considered to birth at Belmont (no harm in asking right :rolleyes:) she said she would discuss it with the head OB... all I know was it was an Indian woman, sorry cant remember her name... perhaps started with an 'R'??? I was told by some other MW's in Group Practice there was absolutely NO reason why I could not birth at Belmont (or even homebirth, if I was in the area), but i had to be prepared for a fight! From memory Dr B left about midway through my pregnancy... IMO I sort of feel they knew they could not use the VBAC against me (as I new better) so slammed me with the risk of another PPH :rolleyes:, I was offered to have a meeting with her if I wanted to take it further but just did not have it in me to fight anymore.

I went through Yemaya with DS2 in 2008/09, all the MW's I encountered were 100% supportive. I'm dumbfounded it could all be up in the air there! How bloody disappointing! :fingerscrossed: for you hun, all the best!!!!:goodvibes:

[mimsie]

They seem to be mostly under Prof Symonds at the moment, and it's still going strong - we're still getting newbies into the group which is great to see! I am loving Yemaya though, we just did the group meetings and it was lovely meeting the other midwives who have been fabulous so far. It's the first pregnancy I've gotten through not being made to feel 'sick' rather than doing something perfectly healthy and normal for a woman, if that makes sense. We have four middies these days, Val, Joan, Lydia and Louise. I don't know Joan but the others are all sooooo nice. And great at telling us how to get around 'hospital policy' :laughing: I'm very local to JHH so it's more convenient anyway for me than Belmont so it's not a consideration I've had to make.

But it looks promising at this point that it'll continue as a group and an option for people like me especially who are post multiple-caesars - although I have no idea who at this point is pro-breech natural delivery which I know was a Bisits speciality.

Anyway again sorry to gatecrash thread :)

[digitalmum]

I took my 2nd bubba straight home from Belmont, and have a 19 month old at home. I think that staying in hospital and receiving 10 different breastfeeding techniques from 20 different midwives is the wrong way to build your confidence. One-on-one care at home is the way to go! (in my opinion).

If anyone is still reading this thread, there is a group who have put up some information about Belmont: http://www.friendsofbelmontbirthing.org.au

[narahel]

Thanks ladies.
Honestly I was just scared and uninformed.

I ended up using the Belmont service and having the most beautiful home water birth with my other children asleep in their beds. The midwives were calm supportive professional and warm. I'd never give birth in a hospital again.