Baths at North-West?

[little bean]

Just wondering if Northwest allows waterbirths, as my GP has recommended a doctor there.

I was really keen to try a waterbirth and might look into other hospitals if they don't have baths at Northwest.

[leomeo]

Congrats on your pregnancy!

I have not given birth, but have visited friends recently who have delivered at NW and my OB/GYN is there also. I have spent a bit of time at the hospy as a gyn patient and I can't fault the care I've received.

I don't think that they allow waterbirths as such, but it would certainly pay to either ask the OB when you see him (who knows, it might be an area of interest!) or even phone the maternity ward to double check - the midwives are really nice and happy to help if they're not too busy.

North West have nice spa baths in their birth suites (with room for DH also) and I know of a couple of OB's who let you stay in until you are about to deliver - some will not allow you in after your waters break, due to a perceived risk of infection. NW does have some OB's who are very supportive of natural birth, but I think the majority are pretty good just as long as everything is going well for mum and bub.

There is a private hospital on the gold coast with an OB who specialises in water births, with another waterbirth friendly hospy on the sunshine coast. Poor Brissy just has the birth centre for now.

[little bean]

Thanks Leomeo,
I was initially planning on trying to get into the RBWH Birth Centre, and still might. My doctor seemed to think that I should go somewhere where I could get an epi if I want one - he didn't see much point in going through pain for nothing, I think. I have heard so many different opinions about the pros and cons of epis that now I'm just confused!

The baths sound great - I'm not sure that I would feel comfortable acually giving birth underwater but I would probably want to spend most of the labour in there as long as everything's going to plan... so maybe NorthWest would be a good option - baths for labour (without drugs if possible) and drugs if I need them.

I'll have to give them a call anyway to ask about fees etc. It just all seems too weird, as I'm only 5 weeks along and still in denial about the whole thing! Get a little glimmer of what's going on every once in a while and a huge smile breaks out across my face. :)

Which hospital on the sunshine coast? Selangor or is there another? That's probably a bit far from my house but my mum lives up that way so it's a possibility...

[leomeo]

You're welcome. It's such a difficult and personal decision and I think there is sometimes a little too much pressure put on us gals to have the perfect birth... whatever that is.

I have gone from being totally obsessed with having a totally natural birth, through to waterbirth (I almost had DH convinced that driving down to the Gold Coast mid-labour to achieve this would be sensible... ) to just happy to go with the flow and be prepared for any circumstances. My wonderful OB/GYN has humoured me during all of these stages, but like your GP also said, prefers his patients to have options available to them during labour.

The OB's at NW book out pretty fast, so try to put your name down with one as soon as you can.

[~V&M~]

I'd be getting on the phone quick smart if I was you! I booked my obs at 5w and only just got in. NWP is fantastic, and my obs is certainly very supportive of natural births though some are definitely not!