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Where to go!

Hello ladies, hope your all well.



Have been thinking more about where to give birth and wondered if anyone else had made a decision.



Local to us we have a birth centre 20 mins in one direction and a hospital delivery ward about 20 mins in the other direction.



I think I would prefer the birth centre for the relaxed atmosphere, one on one care etc, but they don't offer the hard drugs that the hospital does! And obviously as a first timer I've no idea how I'll cope with the pain etc so maybe I'd be best at the hospital.



Ooh I don't know!! Any advice would be gratefully received!



Thanks



xxx

Replies

  • oooh hard one!



    our hosp is 25 mins away from us... but another 10 or so mins is the lovely mw lead unit in the new forest. I never made it to the mw lead one as they said it wasnt open for admissions at 4am... much to my dismay!! i ended up having her in the mw lead unit at the maternity hosp, it was great in the end. I didnt have any pain relief to my own surprise, i used the water pool.



    find out what ur hosp do, do they offer pool? mw lead service? you never know, sometimes they offer a home from home like service at the hosps.

    xxx
  • I'm the same as rosemary. I had my first at the mw led ward at the hospital. Luckily all went to plan and I had an easy birth and would have coped physically at the birthing centre (which is lovely) but I didn't know how things would pan out and felt more at ease knowing if something went wrong or needed more pain relief then it was just a lift away rather than needing to be blue lighted in an ambulance to the hospital.

    Does the hospital have a mw led ward/pools etc? You need to feel comfortable and relaxed that you made the right decision. Have you visited both? If not it may be worth having a look around to help.

  • I've booked to look round the birth centre and I'll book to look round the hospital as well (I wasn't sure if you can look round a few places.) The midwife seems to be keen on 'selling' the birth centre to me, but I think like you say for my own peace of mind I should look at the hospital as well, maybe if they do have a midwife led but it could be the best of both worlds.



    Atleast that's a bit of a decision I've made, to look at them both then decide! Thanks for the advice,



    xxx
  • I'm in the same boat. Cant decide on hospital or midwife led unit. Im pretty sure I want to go to the MLU and have a water birth because it sounds lovely (still need to have a look around) and the hospital don't do tours but I'm scared about the fact they dont offer epidurals! I had one last time and always said I would again because I'm such a wuss with pain!



    I dont want to wimp out though so Im going to go with the MLU unless fate intervenes and I need to be induced in which case it will be the hospital! xx
  • im going with my hospital MLU (obviously unless some complications arise) and aiming for a water birth as going to try and go with just gas/air if needed and nothing else. Being my first have no idea what to expect but just have to go with it, had a tour and was happy with the relaxed atmosphere there, didnt feel like you were in a hospital.
  • I really wnat the MLU, there was no room last time so I ended up delivering on labour ward but my wonderful midwife moved me there after. I am lucky as ours is at the same hospital only downside has limited space.



    Fingers crossed this time around we can go there for the birth xx
  • I've just been for a look around my hospital. There is a birthing centre on one floor and a delivery suite on another. I would like to go to the birthing centre and use the pool but as others have said...you don't know what it going to happen. But at least if needed I can be moved to the floor below for more intervention.



    Feel ok but now beginning to freak out a bit because it is actually real and will actually be happening to me soon! :?
  • Definitely have a look around both and see what you and your OH feel. That's really tough, my MWL unit is part of the hospital so labour & delivery is right next door - I've never considered it being any other way. If the hospital has nice birthing suites, birthing pools etc then I personally would go for that xx
  • I think what the ladies above have suggested makes sense. You are all pretty lucky in that you have a choice. Unfortunately due to various conditions I have, I have been told outright from day 1 that I will not be allowed a water birth or MLU as am consultant led throughout pregnancy. The MLU is part of the same hospital so if I had been given the choice I would have probably gone for that knowing that I am so close to the main delivery and labour ward if I needed to be moved.



    Good luck with your tours and let us know what you decide. image
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