UCLH Bloomsbury Birthing Centre (London)

[mrsd1980]

I am hoping to use the Bloomsbury Birthing Centre at UCLH. I've had a look at the virtual tour online, and didn't see any beds in either the birth centre or birthing pool rooms. Has anyone used these facilities as I was wondering what happened if you were feeling tired and wanted to lie down for a little bit while in labour? All I can see in the virtual tour are birthing balls, a mat and a chair.

[OmicronPersei8]

I don't know about UCLH, but tbh when you are in labour (well, for me, anyway)lying down was the last thing I wanted to do - too painful, especially when there was only a minute or two between contractions. Much better to lean forward on a ball or bean bag, or get in a pool/bath. Better for a quicker labour and less chance of interventions too.

Presumably a birthing centre focuses on active birth. I know a few women who have chosen to labour in a bed, but not many. After pethidine or an epidural is quite different and it is more normal then to see women in a bed. But of course, in a birth centre you wouldn't get an epidural.

Hopefully someone who's had a baby at UCLH will come along and let you know specifically about beds (or not) in the rooms.

[OmicronPersei8]

I should also add that I don't have experience of a long (24hrs+) labour, so can't speak for women who get to that point - I'd imagine they do get exhausted.

I hope I don't make it sound too awful, I actually have had two very good labour and births. They were hard work, but also less than 24 hours and it was just great to finally meet my baby both times.

[RememberToPlaywiththeKids]

I just popped in there last week - i saw a pool room that had a huge puffy mat (like an air bed almost) on the floor so you could rest on that but I do agree that it's unlikely you'll want to do that if you're in active labour.

Would you mind posting the link for the vitual tour??

[Firawla]

my friend had hers in there and had a bed? i was in the ward upstairs, went down to visit her and i definitely remember her having one.
although this was in the old one in 2008 before they moved to the new one but i thought people stay overnight in the birthing centre if they give birth there, so surely must be beds? unless that rule has changed but as it was at that time you give birth and if its in evening or late in the day would stay overnight and then be discharged in morning if all is well (if gave birth in morning maybe discharged before night...)
i would ask them to clarify it next time your in?
i can see the benefit of having bed in the midwife unit, not to lie down on your back still and push like that, but if you wanted to go on your hands and knees for example, then its a comfy surface to rest on
and would say even if you dont have a long labour, epidural etc you still gonna need to have a rest after birth!
im sure they must still have beds in there?? would be quite suprised if not. maybe they just wheel them in and out as needed?

[MsKitten]

My friend gave birth there just after it was modernised. She said it was great. No bed while you're giving birth but plenty of other equipment including a bean bag thing to rest on and bars or some kind of supports fitted to the wall to lean on and help with upright positions. I'm hoping to give birth there too.

Virtual tour is here:

www.uclh.nhs.uk/OurServices/ServiceA-Z/WH/MAT/Pages/Home.aspx

[helenacurran]

Hiya, just wondered if anyone has a recent experience at UCLH they could share? I'm 20 weeks, currently booked into the Whittington, but after two v disappointing ultrasound experiences there I'm thinking of changing to UCLH - they have a v professional website!
Thanks v much
Helena