birth cerntre vs hospital?

[LadyGibrill]

Hi guys so i am 28wks and i am sooo confused anout wether to go to a birth centre or my local hospital. good points about both are:

birth centre:
much more personal 121 with midwife,
natural,
birth pool,
en suite room for partner to stay,
aftercare much better and they teach breastfeeding.

bad thing is if I need an epidural or anything goes wrong ill have to go royal london hospitalwhich isnt that good....

hospital benefits:
its closer
it deals better with medical priblems
its cleaner then Royal london hospital...

please let me know of your experiences

thank you

[MamaG]

I'm pg with No 3 and have that choice too, this time. I decided on the hospital for the following reasnos

1. I have had to be induced with both other DC and didn't want to set my heart on teh birth centre only to be told I had to have it in hospital after going over (can't induce at my birth centre)

1. I had loooong first stage with first child and had an epidural as was exhausted - didn't relish the thought of having to be transferred whilst in labour just so I could have an epi.

1. I didn't want my choices takne away from me (see point 2 above!) - in the hospital everything is there and available

1. Birth centre is a fair way from teh hospital and if anything went wrong, I'd prefer to be there, not going in an ambulance worrying.

All that having been said, I am going to transfer to the birth centre after the birth, to have a few days rest with baby before coming home.

My friend is currently pg with her third and after having othe two at birth centre, fully intends to have this one there. She LOVES the home from home atmosphere and the fact that DP can stay (poss only for first babies, you'd have to check that).

[nailpolish]

i went to the birth centre for both my pgs

best decision i have ever made

[MamaG]

almost everybody I've spoken to had a lovely birth at the birth centre btw. I am just used to giving birth in big hospitals, so the birth centre just felt odd to me

[nailpolish]

mamaG
if it aint broke, dont fix it
if someting works for you, why would you chnge it? thasts whati alwys say

(are you STILL pg?)

[MamaG]

For now

35 weeks today

BUT I have a damp 'jo and am waiting for call back from mw (tmi)

[nailpolish]

omg!

[MamaG]

(its prob nothing though naily, you know whta a drama queen I am!)

[Salleroo]

Went to birth centre. It was fab and very relaxed. it's you and your midwife and birthing partner. All was going fab then I had to be transferred to hospital. A bit traumatic. Recovery staff fantastic. Midwife unit horrendous and the other side of London, so a long drive for a very stressed DH every day for a week. Next time I'd go hospital (well I dont have a choice actually).

A couple of friends have had their dc's at the birth centre and had a fantastic experience.

I would advise if it is your first baby and you are any way nervous or vacilating to go to the hospital for peace of mind. At least you will be in one of your choosing and not the transfer hosp on the off chance you get transferred

[nailpolish]

let us know what she says