Hi-
I'm an American, just moved to Highbury, and am going to deliver my first baby at the Whittington. I'm hoping to be able to give birth without an epidural, episiotomy, etc. I've read the excellent "Stand and Deliver" by Emma Mahoney, and it suggests getting a copy of the hospital's protocols so you know what to expect and can make a birth plan accordingly. Well, I went yesterday and the consultant said he wasn't sure there were any, and no one had ever asked him. He did assure me that whatever the labouring woman wants (within reason), she gets.
I am curious what experiences women have had at the Whittington. Can you walk around? Do they want you to lie down to deliver the baby or are they ok with letting you be in any position that's comfortable (Squatting, standing, in water)? Do they dissuade you from water birth? Are they ok with doulas? Do they do routine episiotomies? Do they induce a lot, and if so, do they let you decide if you want to or just really strongarm you into it after a certain period of time? And I know post-natal there is horrid, but how long do you typically stay?
I really appreciate your feedback. I've yet to take a tour, but have been to appointments there and have been seen pretty quickly. I hear mixed things about all hospitals but on the whole, but there seems to be a lot of positive things said about the midwives in the labour ward.
Also, just as a side noteit's incredible how midwife-led this country is. In the states, you're "weird" if you go with a midwife, and home birth, water birth, hypnobirth, standing, etc. are, on the whole, all considered fruity. So as daunting as it is to navigate the NHS I still don't quite get it -- it's great to have all these options.
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Childbirth
Natural Childbirth at the Whittington
27 replies
NBD · 22/07/2008 13:04
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