What is giving birth in hospital really like?

[diyqueen]

Only 12 weeks (with my first) so maybe a bit early to be thinking about this, but have been thinking ahead to the birth a bit lately (and having weird dreams about it...!). The only options here are home or hospital - no birth centre near, which would have been my preferred option. At my booking appointment I said I'd have a hospital birth, thinking about the first time being unpredictable/quite a long transfer time from home to hospital if needed/knowing medical help was close for baby if needed. However, I am feeling a bit nervous already at the thought of being in hospital. The process of birth itself doesn't really scare me, but the thought of being in a strange, clinical environment with lots of strangers seeing me at my most vulnerable really does - I'm quite a private person and don't normally like being touched by people I don't know, and really do not want any more medical intervention than necessary, though worry if I'm scared/not relaxed this is exactly what will happen. I am aware though that when in labour I may really not care so much and just be focussed on getting the baby out! If anyone who's given birth in a hospital after feeling similarly about it could tell me how it was for them in the end I'd really appreciate it.

Ho diyqueen I had my first DC at a midwife led unit. I had a natural birth in a birthing pool with gas and air. I had two different midwives as shifts changed - both of which I had never met, a student doctor and a student midwife. I would never have thought I would have been comfortable naked in front of anyone never mind so many different strangers, but I really didn't care. All in all it was a very positive experience. Strangely enough, for the birth of DC2 I was far more anxious and more worried about possible complications and was not sure if I wanted to go to the birth centre again, perhaps preferring a hospital with doctors and consultants etc. In the end I went 14 days over and chose to be induced at my local hospital - I wasn't overjoyed at the prospect. I was sure this would involve more intervention and would be less personal. In the end only my waters were broken and my baby was delivered 1 hr 16 mins later. I knew none of the staff and I had never visited the unit before but I found the MWs very supportive and friendly. With both births the MW had very little physical contact with myself. With DC1 I was monitored at regular intervals using a hand held doppler - which after a while I did myself, and then I was simply told I could push if I was ready. With DC2 I didn't manage to get my clothes off, was leaning over the back of the bed and again was told to push when I was ready. Once baby was delivered we were left alone. I was really worried about intervention related to the induction but had none what so ever. No tears either. In fact, within 2 hours I was showered, dressed and ready to go home. 2 different births but both positive. The hosiptal didn't feel over clinical either. HTH.

Thanks everyone for your replies - I thought there must be some positive stories out there somewhere, and hearing that it can be a fairly natural and low-intervention experience if that's what you want and if all goes ok is really reassuring. I know I was being a bit silly about it and am definitely sure for all sorts of reasons that I think the hospital's best for me and the baby - think it's just the 'never been in hospital' thing combined with too many internet scare stories . Am going to leave the internet well alone (apart from MN and the other genuinely useful stuff) from now on and think positive (and sensible) thoughts! :)

I had ds at home, but will be in hospital this time for a twin birth. I have very similar feelings to you towards privacy. Because of these, I was quite fearful about hospital birth and have been in touch with the consultant midwife from early on, and we have now agreed a plan of care (signed by her and my consultant) that will enable me to have a fairly normal, low intervention birth, but be in the hospital in case of any problems. It has certainly helped me to talk about in detail what I wanted, what their protocols were, and where they could be flexible. I understand now what is likely to happen in all sorts of circumstances, and am reassured about the number of people in the room, presuming things proceed normally.

So, I would recommend talking to your midwife from early on, and getting in touch with someone from the hospital if your midwife isn't helpful, to explore all the options for hospital birth, if that is what you have decided on.

I had my two in hospital, one with intervention and one in the birthing pool. I would say that you should find out about all the options, and find some positives about the hospital as well as the homebirth, as you never know what is gong to happen and whether you will need to be transferred to hospital even if you plan for a homebirth. You don't want to be freaked out unecessarily about hospital just because of some pre-conceived ideas or scare stories. You need to find out about delivering naturally at home, transferring, assisted delivery and cesarian, and find positives in all those things (even if it just means knowing that you will be doing best for baby) as if they happen, you need to be in a good frame of mind to be able to deal with it all, look after yourself and baby, even if it's not your ideal choice.

I know what you mean about being private, I considered a home birth as wasn't sure about the "clinical" ness of a hospital (silly I know), and there are no ML units near us. However, in the end had dd in hospital as I decided the half hour transfer time to hospital was too long in case of any issues and I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened.

As dd was 5 weeks early I don't think I could've had a home birth anyway, and if there is a next time will go for hospital again I think. The midwives were amazing, and as there were no problems with the delivery, was just me, dh and midwife for most of the time. And the pn support was amazing on the ward.