Nepean "Birthing Centre"

[Shananaaah]

On the news in Sydney yesterday there was an article about Peter Debnam being harrassed at a public event (the harrassment is not the issue here). One clip I heard said he was "re-opening the Birthing Centre at Nepean Hospital".

As yet, we haven't had the hospital tour etc, but I was wondering if anyone knows what was being "re-opened"??

Thanks!

[TinyStar]

Nepean Hospital has a top notch birth centre facility, huge rooms with lovely big baths etc.

THAT DOESN"T GET USED.

Its practically criminal. Its right next to the regular birthing rooms, blocked off with a door. Sometimes it gets used if they are full up, but ATM Nepean hospital doesn't offer a Birth Centre (low intervention) service.

So I'm guessing this is what would be being opened.

[MajesticMumma]

does anyone know when it will be reopening???
ill have to watch this thread so make sure we keep updated.
Im gunna see if i can find info online about it

[MajesticMumma]

i found this on the website for Pdebnam:

At Nepean Hospital we announced a $6 million plan to re-open the birthing centre based at the hospital as a centre of excellence in midwifery. As part of this package we’re also dedicating $8 million to ensure greater use of Early Childhood Centres and $9 million to the Red Cross to extend the Young Women’s Health Program.
In 2002 Labor closed the birthing centre and left hundreds of young families in Western Sydney stranded. Iemma promised to re-open the unit 'soon' – that was a year ago – and still nothing has happened. He simply can't be trusted to deliver and the local Labor Members have been ineffective in lobbying him. While Labor sits on its hands, mothers in Western Sydney are suffering. Our initiative is important because it will give new mothers the confidence they need, which will shape the relationship they have with their child in the future

[Seraphina82]

Just found this thread and I wish that there was a birth centre at Nepean. Has anyone heard anything further about it since?

[chyburashka]

@seraphina82 - Still no birthing centre at Nepean, but they do have a 'Midwifery Case Load Service'. You get assigned a team of 4 midwives (with one as lead, & your main carer). I have my 1st appointment in 4 wks time (wk 14), but my assigned midwife rang a few wks ago asking if she could be my carer. She spent a good 20mins on the phone with me, answering lots of q's. I can let you know how the face2face appointment goes, if you like?

[Seraphina82]

@chyburashka . Thanks for your reply. I'm actually with a caseload at nepean too. Had my appointment 14 march. I think if should b good. I haven't had a chat with my midwife about my birth preferences yet. Did you get a sense of what they are happy to allow or now allow like birthing in water and that sort if thing?
@seraphina82 - Still no birthing centre at Nepean, but they do have a 'Midwifery Case Load Service'. You get assigned a team of 4 midwives (with one as lead, & your main carer). I have my 1st appointment in 4 wks time (wk 14), but my assigned midwife rang a few wks ago asking if she could be my carer. She spent a good 20mins on the phone with me, answering lots of q's. I can let you know how the face2face appointment goes, if you like?

[chyburashka]

Excellent. Are we allowed to use names here? My mw is 'JL'. I asked her if she was familiar with natural methods of pain management. Her response was 'yes', but that in her experience 'everyone handles pain differently'. She said some use the pool for pain during labour, but 'may not actually birth there', others curl up in a ball or pace around the room. I too want to have a realistic idea of what is possible (and not), so there'll be no surprise disappointments. She was open to me deciding against having the Down's scan - gave me facts for and against. Generally I was v happy.

I think these conversations are much better in person, where we can see and gauge their reactions, but I intend to ask many q's on hospital policy - so I know where her barriers are. eg. fetal (&mother) monitoring, mother movement, birthing IN water if I choose at the time, partner involvement (will he be allowed to 'catch'), babe staying in either my or husband's arms immediately after birth (not taken away for weighing etc), I could go on. I've been making a list. I intend to start slow w 'bigger' q's to gauge her/hospital's approach. I don't want reassuring answers that aren't actually realistic.

Sounds like you are ahead of me in terms of your appointments, so it would be great to hear your experiences. eg. Was your first appt (14 wks?) positive/as expected? Was there opportunity to ask q's? Thank you!

[Seraphina82]

@chyburashka.It sounds like you and I have quite similar preferences/hopes for the birth. Like, you I just don't want to find out when I'm in labour that "oh, you actually can't do that - it's hospital policy". I want to know realistically what's possible or what is routine for them.

My first appointment was at 14 weeks, yes. My midwife's name starts with J but I don't know her last name. Might have to PM you - maybe we have the same MW. I think it's good to post this conversation here so others can see it. At the first appointment she explained what caseload is (I had requested it when I booked) and she said they take any ladies, not just low risk. Then she went through a whole lot of questions about my medical background and health. She gave me a book (NSW gov pub) about pregnancy and birth and some info about parental education classes. She said we would discuss birth details in later appointments. I didn't feel it was the right time to go over my preferences, but I like her as a person and feel comfortable with her. At the end she got me on the table and we heard the baby's heartbeat for first time!

She gave us a chance to ask questions but I decided to wait until a later appointment when we'd have more time (not that there seemed to be a time limit, but it was really all about preliminaries at the first app).

I'm looking forward to the parenting and birth classes as I think this will give a very good insight into the hospital philosophies and policies (and a tour of the birthing suites).

Overall, I was very happy with the appointment and so pleased that I'm on caseload. The fact that I can talk to my OWN midwife throughout preg and then she'll know what I want at birth makes me feel like I have a lot more say in things.

Will be interested to know how you find your first appointment. :):smiliedance:

[tegan87]

Hi Ladies,

thankgod I found this thread! Im scheduled for my first OB appt tomorrow at Nepean. I have a friend who is going into labour and she is at Prince of Wales but was ranting on about the birthing centre and all their facilities and I had a mental meltdown over what the state of Nepean could possibly be. I have seen articles on the overload of maternity patients at Nepean since they closed down Maternity at Blue Mountains and I was exceptionally concerned!

How far into my pregnancy do I have to wait, to check out the maternity ward and its facilites. Hospitals get under my skin, because I have had ALOT of frightening experiences and ALOT of bowel surgery and GP advised that I may be a high risk preg. I suppose that is something the OB will have to decide.

How did your appointments go and what more do you know about the facilities there? This is my first and if my body does decide not to cooperate (as it often does) I want to know that I and my baby are in good hands!:freakingout::freakingout::freakingout::frea kingout::freakingout::freakingout::freakingout::fr eakingout::freakingout::freakingout::freakingout:: freakingout:

[chyburashka]

Hi tegan87. You probably needn't worry-I've heard nothing but good reports about Nepean. Being a large (and public) hospital, they treat all sorts of people and scenarios. Try and write down the questions you have & take those with you to your appointments. I am booked into the midwifery case load service & have my first appointment Mon 9th May (14 weeks). I plan to post my experience here. I have not seen inside the maternity ward etc, but there is a tour which runs on Sunday afternoons. Ask reception (or your ob) about it. You can do this at any time, but need to ring around 2pm to see if they can do it at 3pm (they may cancel it if they are particularly busy, for example).

Most of all, remember that you are the one in charge of your care. You do NOT need to accept anything that you feel uncomfortable with (that's your legal right). But some good preparation on your part will probably make the world of difference. Ask questions. If you feel you're being fobbed off or rushed by your carer, then you might need to do your own research or find another carer who is willing to listen to your needs and desires. Also remember that we'll be birthing in a hospital - and hospitals will always have their rules which ultimately need to be followed. Ask them about their policies so you know where their boundaries are. Eg, If it's important to you to be regularly monitored (or left alone) during labour, then ask how decisions are made about that. If you really want your partner close, involved and making decisions on your behalf if you're unable, make it clear that that's your expectation & ask them if they are comfortable with that. Perhaps you'll want to ask about how a decision is made about having a c-section, and what advantages/risks there will be if you decide to go ahead with a vaginal birth.

Google 'birth plans' and see if that helps you think of other specifics you want to ask about.

Doctors and nurses are just people too, and we're employing them. I intend to use mine to the full!

Good luck, and if you want, it would be great for us others to hear how your first appointment went. Thanks.

[tegan87]

hey, thankyou.

Well, I didnt even get to see an OB today. My appointment was for an OB but I was passed over to an Endocrinologist on account of my thyroid problem. The woman was sterline and impersonable. She works in liason with the OBs in womens & childrens outpatients. Anyways I spoke to an OB for about 5 mins and even though I gave a concise and chronological medical history, they didnt seem to comprehend the instability of my health. Essentially I was fobbed off.
The only thing about my options at the hospital was my visit to Antenatal and Postnatal and the nurse there was really friendly and informative. We will be going on one of the tours at the birthing suite on sunday afternoon.
I have another appointment in 1 month and if I get the same reception from Womens and childrens outpatients, Im either going to get firm or change hospitals.

Its sad to say that my initial impression was not a good one, but I suppose these things happen. I know my body and I know that it crashes and burns very unpredictably. If it were just me, I could deal with the system a bit longer but seeings as it is both me and my baby now, Im not taking any crap.

Thankyou very much for your help and advice :)

[Seraphina82]

When I first saw my midwife at Nepean she listed all my care options. The caseload midwives don't just take low risk women. If you feel that you aren't getting the attention and personalized care you want with the drs I'd strongly suggest you ask for an appointment with a caseload midwife. These midwives are much more women centered. They will work with doctors if you have a riskier birth so it's not as though you won't get the level of medical are you need. Just something to think about.

[tegan87]

At what point in my pregnancy do I get to start seeing a midwife? I understand that I have a LOOONG way to go still, but I think it is reasonable that a sick woman having her first baby needs some extra support.

I dunno, maybe because Im stressed I am just finding fault in everything.

[chyburashka]

hi. You could probably phone the Antenatal ward and ask what the regular 'schedule' is of appointments, who's in charge of your care & if\when a midwife is involved. As @seraphina says, there is a 'Caseload Midwifery' service at Nepean (not all hospitals have it). You are assigned a team of 4 MWs, with one as your lead carer. You have access (moblie #) to whoever is on duty if yours is unavailable at any time. First appointment is at wk 14 (mine's on Monday-will post about it). It's designed so that you see the same person for each appointment. There is always the chance that your lead MW won't be able to attend your birth (if she is with another woman, or has delivered the 'maximum' number of babies allowed per MW per week, for eg.), but you will then be attended too by one of the other 3 from your team.

Perhaps when you ring Antenatal, it's a good chance to ask about the MW service & ask to be put into that program for your next appointment. They do have a maximum number of women they can take at any one time (I think my MW said approx. 40/year/MW), so it may be worth phoning sooner rather than later. I think they only take bookings weekdays, and I had to try for about a week to get through, so perservere - eventually someone will pick up!

[chyburashka]

1st appointment today at Nepean Hospital (wk 14 - am booked into Midwifery caseload service). This was my experience in case it's of interest to anyone...

My lead midwife did the whole 2hr appointment, and was rather flustered and 'noisy' at first while we shifted rooms a couple of times and sorted out a computer etc, but she calmed down soon after and answered all our questions effortlessly. Many q's about both our medical (and family) history, including mental health. Blood pressure check. Offered doppler ultrasound to listen to heartbeat - is apparently offered at every appointment to check beating is normal rate (between 120-160 bpm). She said they have an older style instrument (didn't catch name), like a stethoscope of some sort, where she will hear the beat, just that it won't be broadcast for us to hear like with the doppler machine. I think we'll go with that one from now on - I can't believe that a baby wouldn't be bothered by 2 megahertz of soundwaves coming at it!

Booked me in for the FAS (fetal anomaly scan) at 19wks - where they check all the big bits are there (10 fingers/toes, limbs, 4 chambers in heart, lungs, kidneys etc). May also see gender if baby in open position. We hope that will be our only scan. MW said to text her once scan is done, and she'll do my next antenatal appointment while I'm there in the hospital, to save another trip.

At 28 wks will be offered diabetes screening. Given 50g of sugar solution to drink. If blood results are <7.7, that's good; if it's >7.8, will be sent for full 2hr glucose test.

At 36 wks have a vaginal swab to check for Group B Streptococcus. If GBS found, will be offered antibiotics during labour. Can refuse them (and anything that's offered), but will ask you to stay at least 24 hrs after the birth for monitoring the baby.

Schedule of visits with MW:
Every 4-6 wks till week 28.
Every 3 wks till week 32-34.
Every 1 wk from 36 weeks onwards.
2 home visits also available post-birth.
Gave mobile number again saying to call for anything urgent, or text and she will phone back anytime I need.

I didn't ask any real questions about birth choices, only that I was making a list of them. She encouraged that, saying it's best that I ask, as otherwise she may assume that I know (and that there is so much to know, it's best to make sure I get my q's in). She did though confirm: baths and showers in own room for labour and birthing (located in labour ward).

Sounds all a little boring :) If I think of anything more 'exciting' that happened, will post again. Good luck with all your appointments everyone.

[tegan87]

OK thankyou for your information.

However my man and I have decided we would be more comfortable with Blacktown Hospital and my GP is sending all my blood results with me and my referral, there. One of my closest friends said that Blacktown antenatal took wonderful care of her when she needed to be there, whereas when her neice was being born at Nepean, some less than desirable things occurred. Only to happen again when her nephew was being born 2 years later.

Also, a work colleague had her little girl 2 years ago at Blacktown and she couldnt stop singing their praises (this was coming from a girl who wouldnt smile even if a rainbow unicorn gave her unlimited access to Fairy Floss Land and a free iPad with unlimited downloads). She said she had a 4 day labour and chose to not have pain relief, then at the last stroke she had to have an emergency caesarian! Brave girl, considering she was 19 at the time!

But other factors come into consideration... Blacktown have treated me before, they have my extensive medical history at their disposal and they are closer to westmead (should anything critical happen). I should have considered these factors more closely before going to Nepean in the first place, so really it is my own fault.

Best of luck with everything :):smiliedance:

[chyburashka]

Sounds like a good decision. Good luck with it all.

[chyburashka]

Our caseload MW took us around the delivery suite last week. There are 8 rooms, all with the same layout, though 3 do not have windows (#6, 7&8 - the one's closest to the nurses station). All have a corner, ceramic bath (regular depth), shower, exercise ball, fan. It was a little cool w the a/c for our liking. All lights can be turned off. Leaving just the light under the bed made the room nice and dim. Our MW said she often works with a dolphin torch as the only light. The bed, is though, right in the middle of the room. There is room to walk around, though you'll need to dodge the bed and other equipment like the heated bassinet. Birthing stools also available (though we didn't see one).

One wall of medical supplies is covered by a curtain, the other main wall is very 'hospital' with cords and buttons and flashing lights. I started dreaming that I could bring a whole bunch of plants and start hiding all that stuff!

There are some beautiful hand-drawn sketches on the noticeboard down the left corridor - showing the baby's passage during birth, and that of the placenta. They were the best anatomical pictures I've seen so far and we used them to ask lots of q's with our MW, particularly how the baby changes its position as it descends. A very practical thing to show pregnant women!

Our MW said that during an uncomplicated birth, a second MW is always called in at the time of delivery - one to care for the mother, one to focus on the baby.

[Jexpect]

Hi, :wave:
This is my first post although i have been reading lots :)
Recently got my bfp and are highly considering the caseload services. Just have one question... Being classed as "Obese" i wondered if there was a cut off BMI to be accepted onto caseload.
Do they only take low risk pregnancies??
Thanks

[Seraphina82]

Hey Jexpect. My midwife said at my first caseload app that they don't only take low risk and can work with you and your drs. You should try to get on caseload anyway. No harm in trying. And it's the type of care that's been shown to result in best outcomes for women and babies.
Hi, :wave:
This is my first post although i have been reading lots :)
Recently got my bfp and are highly considering the caseload services. Just have one question... Being classed as "Obese" i wondered if there was a cut off BMI to be accepted onto caseload.
Do they only take low risk pregnancies??
Thanks

[chyburashka]

Hi Jexpect and congrats. Definitely worth phoning and finding out for sure. Caseload is quite popular, so try ringing & getting yourself a place asap - for some reason it took me a week to get through on the phone, but it was worth it! Caseload is a great place for a woman to be, especially if she has extra care needs. Good luck.

[Jexpect]

Thanks for the info ladies. Will give them a call in the next week or so (im only 5 wks) and find out what the go is.