Diff's between birthing centre/normal ward?

[jamb]

Hi all :wave:

I am after some info, wanting to be more informed the 2nd time round. Might be a really stoopid/obvious ? to some but here goes-

What is different between a birth centre as opposed to the labour ward (not even sure what its called???)?

I birthed last time in a birthing centre and don't want to do that again, I want an OB on hand/epi early.

So how does it work- do you have midwives to start with, if all goes well, midwives deliver?

Or do the OB's pop in to check on your progression?

Do OB's come in for birth part?

I will be going public and most likely at John Hunter, newie.

Any info would be appreciated, am a tad scared bout doing it all again :eek: after last time!

Thanks

[Seekrit]

this is my experience in the public system, dealing with a midwife based program...

I delivered in Birth Suite (aka labour ward) I had midwives the entire time. I didn't see an OB at all, but I was in a midwife led system, I'm sure that if I needed there would be a OB there.

In my labour I was encouraged to be active, I was checked each hour (only twice for me) and it was the midwife who delivered - as said I didn't see an Ob, in fact I only saw an Ob at the hospital once, and that was after the US just as a general check up or something.

Good luck!

[nemosmum]

awww your making me scared too lol

To answer your Q yes you have middies and probably wont see an ob unless you need to (assisted delivery or c section etc)

I went through the delivery suite last time in the hospy and was induced (they then sent hubby home) so when i went into labour i was all alone,
I ended up having all the drugs (epidural didnt work on me) as i was so terrified and had no one there for support. DH was finally called and arrived when i was about 6cm dilated!
I didnt really find the middies helpful (sorry all the middies out there) mine where not very fourth coming with info.
I ended up having had a third degree tear, episi(22 stitches), forceps delivery and my son had breathing problems, had to be bagged on arrival as he had gone into distress!
overall a traumatic birth for both of us!


This time round im going through a birth centre, having a doula and want to do it all natural.
I have found the middies to be so supportive so far and as they are the same middies all the time its much nicer to have a familar face iykwim

So im wondering what was so bad about the birth centre:confused:
Getting nervous now lol

[TwoBoysOnly]

I work in a "labour ward/birth suite/ delivery room" whatever you wish to call it. We (Midwives) look after the women completely, we run everything past the doctors on call ( just the registrars not the consultants) You will only see a doctor and not even the consultant only if you are not progressing as THEY would like, want an epidural or need an assisted delivery(vac, forceps, c/s). If I ever have another one I am definantly going to a birth centre or having a homebirth, I have had my first privately under the care of an obstetrician, second one publicly under the care of a midwife.

[jamb]

Thanks ladies.

I ended up with a birth similar to Nemosmum, epi, (bless the lord), episiotimy, induced and vacuum- my body just stopped having contractions.

I know I want drugs next time, so will be going delivery for sure, just wasnt sure how it differed in other ways!

My issue with the BC was more with one particular MW. It was in my birth plan and had been discussed at checkups that should i change my mind and want drugs it would be no problem to move me to delivery.

Basically that didnt happen and things stopped progressing.

I just want drugs to be available if I choose to have them- which I think I will

By no means am I saying MW's/BC's are no good, not at all, just a personality clash that resulted in a negative birth experience.

Thanks everyone

[bellab]

I'm a direct entry student midwife with alternative groundings currently working in a tertiary hospital with a birth centre 'attached'. The doors of birth centre swing into the birthing suite (labour ward) so if you want/need to be transferred you can but I suggest that if you are considering parmacological pain relief and want it as an option then perhaps birth centre is not most appropriate place to start. They don't offer epidurals there.

Midwives are the primary caregivers in birthing suites, unless you need obstetric intervention, same as in a birth centre.

Bella