London hospitals for hypnobirth?

[londonlou]

I'm right at the beginning of things. Nervously awaiting a 3rd beta to make sure it's going in the right direction. Last one ended in biochem. I'm an ivf'er and this pregnancy is 6 years coming. I've had a lot of practice at research and thought I should start looking where I would like to give birth. If things go well, I'd like to do hypnobirth with a pool, a doula and possibly with an independent midwife. Can anyone recommend a London hospital where this kind of birth
would fit in? Or would I have a cat's hell chance of getting a home birth with a first pregnancy?

To complicate matters I might be moving to Margate in the new year, so would have to start looking for a place in Kent.

Sorry for the ramble.

Lou

[waddles]

Hi Brummie. Change your preferences to receive emails or email me directly (via C-A-T) and I'll send you some numbers / info xxx waddles.

[BrummieOnTheRun]

Waddles,
can you recommend an independent midwife in Brighton? I'm moving down there shortly and am peeing my pants about going to the Royal Sussex. Thinking seriously about homebirth but want to be sure a midwife will be available. Any suggestions gratefully received!

[waddles]

Go for it Brummie.

I've found it v difficult too with the diet. I went to see Gowri a few weeks ago for an hour (special treat) and wanted her to tell me to focus on the diet again but she was very relaxed about it ! I suppose second/third time around we're running around after kids more, burning it all off. Have only listening to Self Hypnosis CD twice but cos I'm now in the third trimester - the end is in sight - i'm really trying to get into it, stay off the wheat and sugar for 3 months and at least do something every day - either a bit of yoga or the CD before bed. Anything is better than nothing.

Lou - yes I did birth at home - and I was very fortunate to be able to have an independent midwife. Due date was New Years Eve and I didn't want to risk being forced into the maternity ward cos of seasonal staff shortages. How stressful must that be when you're in labour to have to argue and stand firm for a home birth. Also a postcode lottery - its a problem where I am (Brighton) but have friends up north who have no problem booking a home birth. Anyway, good luck with it all -stick with what you want - it really is worth it.

[BrummieOnTheRun]

Waddles,
you've just given me the incentive to get off my behind and pull out Gowri's book again!

As i said in previous posts, it worked a dream for my last pregnancy, but #3 is SO DIFFICULT! No time, keep grabbing sandwiches. And finishing the kids' pasta! And as for listening to the CDs...i've managed it once, and only because I had a train journey. Was easier when working in an office til my due date.

But am now resolved... On with the I-pod...

[londonlou]

Megglevache - thanks for that. Le t me know how you get on with the GBM. I'm thinking more and more I'll end up with an independent midwife.

Friday feeling anyone?

[Megglevache]

Message withdrawn

[littleharry]

St Thomas' to be highly recommended I had my son there in Sept 05, first baby at 39. Although had to be induced as baby 2 weeks late had hypnobirth - midviwes were brilliant just let me and my husband and get on with it only monitoring when absolutely necessary. We couldn't use pool as being induced but facilities are good. can also recommend fantastic hynpo teacher who we used: www.hypnoclinic.net/ Good luck and enjoy the whole wonderful experience!!

[londonlou]

bealos - That's what scares me, that the local services willlet me down and not allow me to birth at home or not have water birth trained midwife on staff.

Megglevache - Thanks so much. Any info on homebirthing and your doula in Kent would be great. Thanks. Is that place private? I'll look into St Thomas'. Just got to bear in mind distance to travel in an emergency. They have to take you to the nearest.

Waddles - congrats on your pregnancy! Did you homebirth with the community midwife? I'll bear in mind about the anti-GBM stuff. Sometimes people don't like to think there is another way or that even the orthodox way is a relatively new way in the grand scheme of things. I already don't eat much sugar, but gave up wheat and and sugar yesterday. I always feel better with my guts. I'd be keen to find anyone in my area who has done all this.

Lou
x

[waddles]

Hi Lou - Just to tell you that I followed the Gentle Birth Method with my first pregnancy from about 20 weeks and had my little boy after a 4 hr labour at home, in water, not even gas and air needed ! It was the most rewarding, incredible and mind blowing experience of my life. Those I know who have been properly exhilarated by their labours have also happened to follow Gowri's programme to some degree, if not to the letter, so I really believe it works.

I'm 27 weeks pg now with baby no 2 and I'm trying to do as much of the diet, exercise, birth rehearsal, regular reflexology, herbs etc as I can (To do it to the letter is practically impossible unless you have a full time nanny/cleaner/driver/live in yoga teacher/unlimited funds so don't worry if you can only manage bits of everything). The way I see it is that it helps get your body and mind birth fit and counteracts the negative effects of a western diet / lifestyle plus a culture that tells you labour is supposed to be a hideous painful experience.

The birth rehearsal is particularly helpful cos you are talked through labour on the CD while in a deeply relaxed state. I did this two or three times a week with my first and when I was actually in labour, it was as if I'd been there before so there was no fear or panic at experiencing such new and intense feelings. Cos they felt familiar. Any help/advice I can give, please let me know. It is my favourite subject.

PS Don't listen to any of the anti-GBM propaganda you sometimes get from some on this website. They mostly don't know what they are talking about. I was once accused of 'being sold to' when I was enthusing about the birth i had - like you can be sold a good birth !?!?!? PPS Good to know from the previous message that she started at 28 weeks and it was still all good - that's given me the shove i needed to get focused again on the no wheat no sugar for the 3rd trimester.

[JulesP]

Just seen as well that you have Gowri Mothas book. If you can get her relaxation CD it's better than the Marie Mongan one. Kept falling asleep at end of pregnancy resting over birthing ball listening to it.

[JulesP]

Hey Londonlou!

If I'm repeating any of the messages sorry, am meant to be working but just thought I'd check out your thread as it was of interest. I'm the proud mum of a 7 month old girl who weighed in at 8lbs 9.5oz. My first baby (at 36!) born at home by hypnobirthing in 3 hours 48 minutes . I had no pain relief at all and had a physiological third stage as well.

I'm in Luton so it will be different for you (all health authorities have their own rules), but I found that it helped to do research first, approach the midwife, be amenable to their suggestions but be firm. I was already doing the hypnobirth course when I realised I wanted her at home, then spoke to my midwife about it who really wasn't sure. But I stuck to my guns. I found it useful to let them know that I had thought about things like being downstairs (if anything should go wrong it's a s*d to get a half laboured mum down a set of stairs into an ambulance), heating, lighting, food, moving furniture, somewhere they can set their stuff up etc.

I also had a wonderful doula and my mum (am single) who helped keep the midwives off me so I could my own thing. A doula or someone who understands what you want is a must have even if you go into hospital. Midwives really don't understand hypnobirthing (got a corker of a story from my antenatal reunion and the derision of a midwife at my attempt to have a baby without drama) and will try and interfere.

I'm the only person I know who can truthfully say I had a great time in labour and truly blessed with my little girl.

[Megglevache]

Message withdrawn

[bealos]

I was booked to go to Edgware Birth Centre (quite a long taxi ride away but was such a lovely place I was willing to do that) which is an NHS, midwife-run birth centre. Had great antenatal classes for ladies and fellas, lovely calm atmosphere, active birth style midwives, BUT unfortunately I ended an induction in homerton hospital... not the best birth experience! I know lots of mums who plan home births in Hackney and then are told that midwives aren't available when labour comes round. It's a realy shame, and they should put more money into it, cos an intervention-free homebirth has got to be cheaper on the NHS funds than a full-on hospital birth. I think, if I had another baby, I would go for a home birth with adoula and lots of female friend support (one of the most important things during labour I think, too many people do it with just their partner, which puts too much pressure on them) and would try to stick it out at home if I was told that midwives weren't available, so that they would HAVE to send someone - hard I know when you're in tons of pain!

I looked at loads of hospitals in London and St Thomas' was great - spanking new, lots of rooms, lots of pools, little "roof garden" you could walk around in. I was told that any hospital should accept you in London - they can't "reject" you, it's your choice. Bloomsbury was pretty grim, and from people I know who've given birth there, not somewhere you want to be going....

[londonlou]

Thanks all for responses. It takes some getting used to not getting email alerts when responses have been posted to the thread. Sorry for the late reply.

I bought a copy of Gowri Motha's Gentle Birth Method book today. It looks good.

Lou
x

[spudballoo]

I would look at a homebirth as an option. I am in Hackney (E9) and had a homebirth booked with full support of the community midwifes, alas it didn't work out and I gave birth at the Homerton.

I did NCT classes with the Hackney & Islington branch, which were fabulous. I think they might be able to help with local birth 'options' too.

The Homerton has a 'mothers unit' i.e home from home but it's not hugely homely! However, their birth pool is rarely used and they were very happy to start me off there as a homebirth transfer until things went a bit wrong for me.

st thomas' is worth looking at, but you might have a problem getting accepted there. A friend of mine (Islington) had her first there, but has been rejected for having her second there. Too busy I think. Their home from home and birth pools are fab.

x

[Lio]

Maybe you will consider reading Marie Mongan's book too (called something obvious like 'Hypnobirthing the Mongan Method' or something) - your library will get it in for you if they don't already have a copy. Very interesting history of labour and birth and quite a quick read too.

[Gemmitygem]

hi lou,

I found the Birthing From Within book good, cos it's realistic about the pain. A bit hippy but was really good on preparing you mentally for the birth. I also had the hypnobirthing book and CD, and frankly during labour just wanted to burn them (and kill the author) (joke), because it was so untrue: labour does bloody hurt, but it's nothing to be scared of because it's gone so fast and afterwards the whole thing is like a dream, you can't really remember it. however, the hynobirthing thing seemed to deny that the pain was real, and when you're in the thick of it you realise how irritating that is, as if you've been lied to. The Birthing from Within book is better cos it says 'yes it is difficult, it hurts a lot, you have to be brave, and you CAN do it' which is a much more realistic and optimistic message than 'the pain is in your head and you can imagine it away'. Breathing and counting does help though...

[londonlou]

Brummieontherun - cool. I'll get Gowri's book then. I do a bit of that diet stuff when I need to for my IBS, I bet it's similar.

Notquitecockney - Is that the one Barts is opening in the docklands end of 2007? Sounds great, but sadly not ready yet!

Lou
x

[NotQuiteCockney]

Independent midwives are a lot cheaper than the Birth Centre (aka Caroline Flint).

There is talk of an NHS birthing centre in E14, but I think it's a little way off.

[BrummieOnTheRun]

Hi Lou,

It was the Gowri Motha classes that I did. I'm not sure where she developed the hypnobirthing element from, but I liked her course because it covers more than just self-hypnosis: it's all about getting 'birth fit' and giving yourself the best chance possible of a natural birth (not to mention making you feel great at 8 months+ when everyone else is sick to death of being pregnant!
There's a bit on diet (to ensure the baby's not too big), a bit on optimal foetal positioning, a bit on massage and lymphatic drainage, perineal massage, etc, etc. The diet stuff is a bit severe - I just cut wheat and sugar from 28 weeks and it worked a dream.
Highly recommend the program. Gives you great confidence that the birth can be good.

[londonlou]

Baretoes - ah! I now see why I hadn't spotted it. It was listed as you say.

Lemonaid - The birth Centre looks fab, but it's private only. I spoke with them today and they charge on a sliding scale. The longer you're signed up with them the more expensive it is. i.e. from 8w to term it's £6400. For the last month it's £3500. But then you're not guaranteed you'll get in and they said that Aug is tricky month what with staff holidays. I'm trying to see if I can find an NHS place first before looking at private. Just spent all my money on getting pregnant! LOL.

Hertsnessex - I think I'd like homebirth. Might do that option with independent midwife. My local hosp the Homerton has good special care baby unit and I'd only being going to hosp if things went wrong. I wouldn't like to choose to give birth there, as hardly any water births.

BrummieOnTheRun - I was looking at the Gowri Motha's Gentle Birth Method for hypnobirth, but am I right in thinking that she lifted much of her advice from other hypnobirth sources? Where did you get yours from? I will still get her book through for the recipes and other stuff. Sounds like what I'm looking for.

Phew. Thanks ladies for all your help so far.

Lou
x

[BrummieOnTheRun]

btw, hypnobirthing is fantastic...wish I'd done it with my first. And with enough prep you can do it ANYWHERE. You won't need an experienced hypnobirthing therapists with you. You can just take the classes (there are loads of classes throughout london) and listen to the CDs. I'm a massive sceptic and that worked for me.

[BrummieOnTheRun]

Hi Lou,
In theory UCH/Bloomsbury Birthing Centre is a great option and the valiant staff are excellent, but the building is old and cramped, all but one of the birth rooms are small, can be too hot and do not have en-suite facilities.
There was only one birth pool in a large dept, so you're far from guaranteed access. The post-natal facilities there are chronic. About 1 bed away from installing bunk beds. The bathrooms were disgusting. And unless a miracle has happened since last year they're probably still chronically understaffed. My m/w said they sometimes have to close the Bloomsbury bit if understaffed.
Could all have changed since last Nov. Go visit. But also go see St Thomas' at Waterloo. Fantastic new unit.

[hertsnessex]

homebirth sounds like it might be a good choice for you.

im a doula in essex/herts if you have any q's feel free to PM me.

cx

[lemonaid]

The Birth Centre (independent midwives who do homebirths or have birth centre next to St George's) do a lot of hypnobirths (a lot of the people who do hypnobirthing classes with my hypnobirthing teacher use them).