Anyone given birth in birht centre for DC1 and now thinking hospital for DC2?

[givemebagels]

I had DD1 last year at my local birth centre which is seen as the 'gold standard' of birth centres apparently. I referred myself there at 36 weeks when I read that they guarantee one on one midwife care, birth pools etc. It was the one on one care promise that really swayed me, as I thought, yes I'll be 15 mins from hopsital if something does go wrong, but it will get picked up super quickly as I will be monitored constantly.
As it happened the unit was busier than it ever has been the day I went into labour (usually have 3 births per week, that day they had 5). Consequently I was left alone with DH for large parts of the labour (crawling around on the floor in tears).
I went from 2cms to 10cms in under 4 hours, which I think they were really shocked by, and was one contraction away from delivering DD in the bathroom as there was no midwife there with me until the last possible moment.
Whole labour and pregnancy was complication free, but I feel panicky when I think about what could have happened if something had gone wrong in labour when I hadn't been monitored that closely.
Has anyone else had a similar experience in a birth centre?
I am currently 11 weeks pregnant with DC2 and it is playing on my mind...should I go for the birth centre again as maybe I was just unlucky last time? Or should I go with hospital this time?
WOuld be good to hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation, or who has done birth centre first time, then hospital second time but not for a medical reason.
Thanks

Its a difficult choice for you.
The chances are, it will not be as busy if you go there again and you will get one to one, although obviously you cannot be sure until the day.

If you go to the CLU, then you probably will not have one to one care unless they have an unusually quiet day.

If you choose the MLU and are not relaxed enough to enjoy it, you wont labour properly and it could stall things for you, as you will be too anxious to let your hormones do their job!

It sounds like you have a quick labour for a first baby, so chances are, this time will be as quick (fingers crossed)

Good luck in what ever decision you choose - you need to be 100% confidant with your choice, if its possible

but you had a good labour and everything went fine!
don't worry about it.

You are more likely to have a straightforward birth with no intervention/complications if yo uare in a MLU or at home.
That fact is even stated in your NHS pregnancy book.

that means you'll be fine! :)

Thanks to both for your replies.
I know it was very unusual for the birth centre to be so busy...and chances are very slim that it will be so busy next time.
And yes nickelbabe, I realise that I am more likley to have another straightforward birth in an MLU and this is a reason in my mind to go for it again.
Just wondered if anyone else had felt the same as me?

Guess I shouldn't worry so much...

'but you had a good labour and everything went fine!
don't worry about it.'

That's really dismissive the whole 'you'll be fine' mentality. It really denegrates someone's very valid feelings.

She knows she gave birth okay in the end, but she is still left with feelings of panic and anxiety. She doesn't feel she had a good labour.

How about a home birth, give? You'll definitely get one to one midwife care then!

Or how about hiring a doula who will be with you for the whole labour?

expat - thanks - I am thinking about homebirth actually for that very reason.

go for it!

you will (should) have 2 midwives with you for delivery

Having done it once you know better when to get your birth partner to shout up on your behalf and make sure you get monitoring when you need it.

I went to a birth centre and they can only take 2 in labour at once. 2nd person came in after me. Beat me to the pool (further on in 2nd labour). I was well pissed at the time but I she was out of the pool in plenty of time for me as it turned out! Although mw's busy I sill got monitored every 30 mins and each time they left me they said when they'd be back so DH could have gone and looked for the mw if it went too far over time.

I had a very good experience but will have to go to hospital for medical reasons this time. Wouldn't have hesitated to go back to the birth centre otherwise.

Homebirth does sound like it could be a good option for you.

expate - i'm sorry that i came across to you as dismissive - i didn't mean that at all.
I read the OP as her wanting to have the MLU birth but getting jitters about it. I was addressing her concerns in a light-hearted manner, as I thought she wanted.
I'm sorry it came across the wrong way to you :(

If you are thinking about a homebirth, do take a look at www.homebirth.org which has some great information.

You'd be a great candidate as you are keen on 1-2-1 care (or in fact 2-1 care for the end stages) and you had a fast labour. It is likely to be quicker this time so a homebirth could be a really good option.

Whether you go for a homebirth or back to the birth centre (or indeed a CLU) a doula is a great idea to ensure you have consistent support for you and your partner. Find local doulas at www.doula.org.uk.

It's worth raising your concerns with your MW as feeling safe and supported in labour is really important. It does sound like you were unlucky and realistically you are much more likely to get 1-2-1 care in the birth centre than the CLU.

If it reassures you studies show that statistically constant monitoring of the baby (as oppose to intermittent monitoring by handheld monitor) has no benefits to mother and baby (in terms of health, mortality etc) but does increase the caesarean and instrumental delivery rate.

You might also find it helpful to talk through your first birth with someone - a doula could help with that, or someone with good listening skills (i.e. will let you talk and won't interrupt).It's a good idea to work through your feelings around it before the next birth.

On the homebirth reference site there are details of local homebirth support groups which can be great for answering questions and also often have resources to lend you - like a birth pool.

I've written a few bits and bobs about homebirth and have some nice videos if you search back on my blog www.hackneydoula.co.uk

Sorry this is a bit scatty - trying to multitask. Best of luck with everything.

nickel no worries, i realise you were trying to reassure.
squiggly - thanks, will take a look at your blog later.
I've actually got my midwife appointment at the birth centre as they are community midwives and use different venues for appts,so might try to chat to a birth centre midwife if they are not busy. Will discuss my concerns anyway - i think that would really help, as i feel like i just need to get it off my chest, and that will probably reassure me enough.
I do like the birth centre, and i would love a water birth this time...got a while to decide anyway.

Was just about to suggest a homebirth but someone beat me to it.

You can have a waterbirth at home to - guaranteed access to a pool (barring clinical complications)!