BIRTHING CENTRES - natural births

[alison_artist]

Hi everyone,

I was just wondering if anyone has had a baby in a birthing centre, or plans to have one, and your experience so far?

I am due in May, and plan to have a natural birth at the birthing centre, hopefully having a water birth... would be interested in hearing anything you have to share!

This is my first baby and I confess I"m a bit scared about labour day!

- Alison

[Jamily]

Hi Alison

I had Emily at the Birth Centre at the Royal North Shore in Sydney. I can't speak highly enough of my experience there.

I had a drug free waterbirth, just as I had planned. No one touched me during labour or delivery - I literally sat in the bath and had my precious daughter completely free of intervention.... The midwives were able to position a mirror to enable them to see what was going on at the business end, which helped me control the pushing and I had a tiny tear that required about 3 stiches.

I am not sure which birth centre you are going to, but one thing that might be an idea is to try to go to your antenatal visits on different days. That way you get an opportunity to meet all the midwives in the birth centre team, so on the day you are likely to know them. I did this inadvertedly but I know that a few other birth centre mammas ended up birthing with midwives they hadn't met. Not a huge problem, but it was great that I knew both midwives really well.

I can honestly say that I am actually looking forward to doing it again!

Please PM me if you want more details on the waterbirth. Happy to share online but not sure if everyone else wants to know the gory details!

Claire

[cosmic]

yes we do Claire!!! Post all the details... I'd love to read the story!

And by the way, that is a very cute picture of Emily.

[Jamily]

Hey Cosmic

I found my birth story under a different thread so here is the cut and paste of it...thought it was easier than trying to get my brain into gear this morning

I went into labour at 3.30am and went into hospital at 11am to find that I was 6cm dilated. I hopped into the bath which eased the pain almost instantly. My contractions were far less painful and I was able to relax and let my body totally un-tense with the water helping to support my weight. I was able to practice an active birth at home and up until getting into the water and I was concerned that I would be less mobile - as it was I was able to move around the tub and adopt different positions from lying to squatting to kneeling and "doggy". The water temp was kept at a constant so it never got cold or uncomfy. Amazingly I was offered gas as they had a portable unit, but I didn't feel that I needed it. The water really seemed to take the edge off it all.

At about 4pm I felt the urge to push (during transition apparently I went into a trance!) and as Emily's head was crowning my waters broke. The pushing stage lasted 45 mins and then my beautiful girl arrived into the world. She was absolutely perfect - the water had washed off any blood and vernix and I think it had made me more 'supple' as I had a tiny tear despite the fairly swift entrance - infact we didn't think I had torn at all.

Em was lifted straight onto my chest and I delivered the placenta and then she went to her Dad while I got out and hopped into bed for my first BF.

Even though Emily is my first bub I was able to go home after 4 hours as my birth had been so straightforward.

I can not recommend waterbirth enough. I will absolutely do it next time and hopefully at home with a doula or midwife.

I wanted a birth that had no interference or intervention and I got my wish.

Emilys Agpar results were 9 both times.

I think that is everything - please let me know if you have any questions!

Cx

[nut]

I had a lovely natural birth for my DS. We were overseas at the time, in Sweden, and they do every birth (possible, I mean, sometimes you do just need a doctor) as if in a birthing centre. Anyhoo, my point is that it was an amazing experience. So empowering and joyous. So, don't be scared, be confident that you are just going to do something your body is perfectly designed to do. I think confidence and positive thinking in general are key to a good birth experience. So, be strong, be happy and good luck!

[Pixie]

I plan to have one and be in the bath at the last minute to ease up at the end..but we'll see what happens I hate to plan!

But seriously I can't wait I am so excited and wish it was next week lol I have had enough now!!

[JanetF]

Hi Alison and congratulations on having a birth to look forward to!

BCs attached to hospitals are still hospitals with surgeons making the rules so you need to be very clear about what their policies are, for example about gestation length, labour length, breech babies and the like. You need to treat them exactly like the hospital they really are and ask them all the questions that allow you to protect yourself when birthing in a large institution. One woman's experience of a BC can be great and another's terrible. The best way to assess a birth place is go there, interview strenuously, remember *you're* the boss and you're paying, no one is doing you a favour! Your hospy experience is as good as the staff available, bearing in mind that you may labour over shift changes, and who you meet on the day.

This website gives you great tools to employ when searching for a birth place and careprovider.
http://maternitywise.org/mw/tools.html

Some books which I strongly recommend that you purchase are:
Thinking woman's guide to a better birth - Henci Goer
Birthing from within - Pam England

Feel free to PM if you want more help

[jarrahsmumma]

hey alison,
hope all your plans come true

I had a waterbirth in Hospital and it was the best! I plan a homebirth in water for next baby too (when we finally concieve) When you arrive at the center be very clear on what you want. If you have a support person there run through everything you do and dont want, be very clear. even getting into all the what if's??? then if you are tired and cant get your head togther (or they aren't listening to you) your support person can speak for you. having a birth plan can help here, or just a list of do's and dont's

this is your and your babies day, make it very special

all our love

[Jenko]

Hi Alison

Good for you for deciding on the birth centre. I planned on having bubs in the birth centre, and spent about 4 hours labouring there. I ended up giving birth in the deliverly suite. (it closed - if you want to know more - let me know. I was in sydney at the time living near you - by your postcode)

My time in the birth centre was mostly what i expected. The bath was bliss!! I think janetf has really given you some really great advice - as she usually does. Get all the facts and be prepared for their own policies. My support people played a huge role.

Although my birthing experience wasn't exactly to my plan, i would still go to a birth centre next time. To me, it just felt like the kinda place i would like to bring my baby into the world. A homely environment, but still knowing all the medical support was right there.

Good Luck with everything.

[*Country Bumpkin*]

I found out last week that i have been excepted into the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital Birthing Centre- and although i have been hearing different things about B/C's Im still really looking foward to going

I will have my first appointment in like 3 weeks and I cant wait

Good luck with everything!!