Rpa

[IVFcrazylady]

Have any of you wonerful dulas been to RPA to assist with a birth or been there yourself? Whats it like?

[doulacara]

I had a waterbirth for my 2nd at the birth centre at RPA in 2003 when it was brand new. The midwives were fantastic and supportive and I can't recommend them highly enough. I did not have a single internal exam during my birth there. The birth centre also runs ante-natal clinics after hours and on Saturdays (at least they did then) which was much more convenient than the hospital ones.

Hope this helps
Cara

[lilpearl]

I had my second baby at the birth centre at the RPA. It was a waterbirth and a VBAC, and they treated me as any other woman, not as a "trial of scar". I was left to birth as I wanted, and the bed wasn't even made up, as they completely discoraged a birthing mother acting as a patient, which is fantastic. The midwife was lovely, and the room was perfect.

The only negative was my stay in the maternity ward for a couple of nights. I could have gone home from the birth centre within hours of the birth, but chose to stay on for a rest. The food was terrible, and the midwives gave conflicting advice in the maternity ward - one even having the nerve to TELL me not to use baby wipes - like this wasn't my second child, and like I didn't have the ability to make my own dicisions for my children - I got out of the maternity ward after two nigths,a nd wouldn't recommend staying there. The birth centre was fantastic though.