Edgware birth centre or Barnet Hospital- worth the gamble??

[6thapril13]

Hi there. I am due in April 2013 and initially dismissed the EBC over hospital as I didn't want to be an ambulance ride away from Drs and epidurals in case of complications...However the more I look into the EBC the more I am changing my mind. The fact that my partner can stay with me overnight is a massive pro as I'm really worried about being left alone, but is this a good enough reason to go here instead of Barnet Hospital?
I have no complications yet but I am expecting a big baby and all the women in my family have started labour 'normally' before the Drs realise the babies are too big and have resulted in epidurals/c-sections/ventouse. My mum things I am mad not to expect there to have to be medical intervention. Please help!

I was booked into EBC and was praying everything would be fine so I could give birth there as it is wonderful and like a hotel.

As you said EBC will transfer you to Barnet Hospital which is 5/10 mins away if you do need medical intervention or are desperate for pain relief - are you aware about the lack of pain relief because of water birth, no epidural, pethidine etc?

My waters broke but I had no contractions so EBC decided to be extra safe (as you are then prone to infection) and sent me to Barnet. As it happened I would have never have given birth at EBC after a 2 day labour, getting stuck at 8cm and then eventually ending up with an EMCS!

EBC are very good and cautious so I would say book in at EBC and then if things don't go to plan you will end up at Barnet anyway - better to do this way rather than discount EBC initially and then have a straight forward birth at Barnet and wish you booked into EBC.

Just how big is the baby? Many people do give birth to big babies naturally...good luck!

I can't believe that anyone who lives in the area can seriously think that it could take 5-10 mins from edgware to barnet hospital! It's 15-20 if you're very lucky. I would not have chosen edgware for this reason.

Their leaflet says average transfer time from decision is 53 minutes leaflet

I had my son at EBC 3 years - it was a lovely experience. I did have to get transferred to Barnet once I'd given birth as had a 2nd degree tear but midwives thought it was too complicated to stitch me themselves. They got an ambulance to transfer me which at 2am in morning; didn't take long to get there about 10 mins tops

I have no experience of EBC but just wanted to say I had my 1st baby at Barnet in 2010 and the midwives were all lovely and I was looked after really well. I was induced due to waters leaking and not going into labour naturally so would have needed hospital care anyway. I am due to have DC2 at Barnet any day now! Good luck.

I've had 2 babies at EBC in 2005&2008. Fantastic midwifes, the level of experience &professionalism seriously impressive! I went from being totally in favour of medical, hospital led care to giving birth with no pain relief in water.

My sister gave birth in Barnet in 2008 & 2011. She found it very good& i ended up being with her at her second dc birth. The staff were brilliant & very accommodating.

I think EBC is a lovely environment to give birth in & they are very cautious so you would be in safe hands should there be any unforeseen problems.

I think ultimately its great you have the choice. Personally i just knew i didnt want to give birth in a hospital. I had booked into Royal Free but transferred to EBC at 25 weeks. Im very glad i did!

Best of luck.