Hi, am 30 weeks (1st pregnancy) and am considering having my birth at the barkantine - sounds lovely compared to the royal london! would love to hear how others have found it.

wonderful. antenatal care was great, someone to talk to 24 hours a day before and after, great rooms, pool!, lovely mws. typing one handed at the mo, but totally recommend it if you think it would suit you.

Oh, and just to add that we ended up being transferred to the royal london after the birth due to haemmhoraging, and it was ok too.
Post-natal care is good too, but you have to go there for all your checks. Ok if you have an easy time of it or a car... I found it hard.
Pain relief is pretty limited there, but personally I found that they encouraged you to go as long as you could without anything- I only used the G&A towards the very end and even then not much.

Just to second e14mum, I thought the Barkantine was great. The continuity of care was fabulous and meant that the midwife I had in labour was someone I'd seen several times antenatally. Once in labour, no pain relief was suggested to me and I didn't feel the need to ask for any, even though I'd reckoned on having gas and air almost from the outset. The pool was enough for me - probably because the atmosphere was so calm and relaxed. I also ended up being transferred to the Royal at about 9 3/4cm because my baby had turned OP, almost stopping my contractions and causing meconium staining. I was ever so disappointed but the situation was handled impeccably by the Barkantine staff (and, I should add, also those at the Royal). All ended well for me and, after a drip kickstarted my contractions, my baby was born without intervention a couple of hours after we arrived at the hospital. We were home within 12 hours and our Barkantine midwife phoned the same day to find out how we were. I have to say, though, that had I been in the Royal from the outset, I'm sure I'd have been screaming for an epidural from the outset. The size of the birthing rooms at the Barkantine positively encourage you to walk, walk, walk - something which just wouldn't have been possible in the smaller rooms at the Royal - and they also feel more private, perhaps because it's easy to dim the lights and also because there are not doctors and extra midwives breezing in and out.

The post-natal care at the Barkantine was also excellent and even once they sign you off you are encouraged to call them if you have any problems or queries. There are also post-natal classes, including baby massage. However, yes, you do need either a car or to be within walking distance. Public transport with a newborn would not be fun imo.

sounds lovely - its my first baby, so i was a bit concerned about what would happen if any intervention was needed, but it sounds as though they handle it quite well. How soon do you need to sign up though as i'm only moving to the area at 36 weeks? we have already got a house in bethnal green (which we're moving into) so maybe i can book in a bit sooner?

You should try and book now as they fill their spaces quickly. You can self refer, I think - so could probably be done over the phone, although better to go in if you can. They run tours of the centre most Sunday mornings but you might get an impromptu tour if you go in at some other time and one of the midwives or healthcare assistants is free.

Oh yes, forgot about that. Call them asap as it's very popular. Tours are Sunday at 10:30 I think. But when I was in in March they said they were booked until August- but call and talk to them. They're very friendly!

Hi

Can anyone self-refer or does it depend on where you live. I live in the Royal Docks and am booked in to Newham atm but haven't really heard great things!

EDD is September 26th and this is my first, and it really does sound like a nice relaxed place!

Cheers
T

I don't know if you can self-refer if you don't live in Tower Hamlets. Ring them up though and ask as they are very friendly!

(Hope they're friendly when you call up as I've said the same thing twice now... oops!)

Thanks!

so far i haven't managed to get through - just a message each time - trixietie can you say what they've said once you've spoken to them?

ask your gp to refer you - I think

Lovely mw at the barakantine

only got answer phone too, and my GP wouldn't refer me because we live in E16 so a different council/borough or something