How do you know where to give birth? HELP!

[jasmin93]

Hello ladies,
I know this may sound really stupid but here it goes:
How do i know where I am supposed to go once labour starts?
We live in Barnet (North London) and I like the idea of giving birth in their Birth centre.
I am 34+2 weeks pregnant with my first, btw.
So do I book myself in by ringing them up? Do we have to pay? (Their birth centre looks pretty posh to me - not what i am used to from Germany).
My midwife is no help here. I asked her multiple times but she has no clear answer.

Maybe there is another pregnant lady out there near Barnet or a new mother that could help me?
Im really new to this... thanks xx

Are you not having care at one hospital? Where have your scans been?

If it's a nhs birth centre and you are entitled to free nhs care then you won't have to pay. Are you midwife led or consultant led?

Thanks for your quick reply.
Barnet has a birth centre (side building) and a consultant-led labour ward (main building).
Our scans were in the main hospital building. Our midwife works in the GP building locally.
How do i know whether i am midwife led or consultant led ? We have normal midwife appointments every 2 weeks, but she only checks my urine, blood pressure, the size of my belly and his heart rate. She does not answer any of my questions and refers to triage should i have concerns.

I did not have my antenatal classes either, even though i applied for all 3 courses 6 weeks ago. Am i doing something wrong here ?

Ok, she is answering your question then!

When you go in to labour you call triage. They will ask you some questions and likely ask you to go to maternity assessment. If you are in advanced enough labour then depending n how busy they are you will likely be offered a place in the birthing unit, if the unit is full then you'll be put on the labour ward,but will only be cared for by midwives unless a dr is needed.

Why your midwife couldn't have just explained that though I don't know!

NHS antenatal classes are often only available to parents who meet certain criteria (usually, benefits or young parents) depending on funding in your area, afraid I don't know Barnets criteria.

Ok, so i wait until day X and once i go into labour call triage.
That makes sense that they tell me in the moment where to go.
I might go there tomorrow and ask for a hospital tour? (Heard this is possible ?!)

Thank you very much for your quick response & help! Im not as worried anymore as before xx

Call triage about the tour, they usually have them on set days, you can't just turn up.

Provided you are low risk then when you call triage you'll be given the choice of where to go, labour ward or midwife unit. Bear in mind if you want an epidural you will have to go to labour ward where there are doctors to administer it, and if you want a water birth my local hospital advised calling asap to check a water room was available and plan from there (rather than turn up and be disappointed). I'm rather surprised your midwife hasn't gone through this with you, as it would be part of your birth plan (maybe that discussion is at 36 weeks, I can't remember). All the best!

Thanks for your replies. Really appreciate your help!
My midwife said we would go through my birth plan after i had the classes. So that might follow in the next few weeks (fingers crossed).
I do not want an epidural as i am scared of the injection & not feeling the urge to push. But i would love a birthing pool to ease the pain.
Its a good advice calling them early and mentioning the birthing pool! I keep that in mind.
Thank you all for your help! Its been really helpful
Xx

Are you wanting to give birth on the midwifery led unit in Barnet hospital or in the separate Edgware Birth centre?

If option 1 then you call triage when in labour and say you want to go the midwife led unit
If option 2 you do need to book directly with the Edgware birth centre and should call them now to arrange that

If you are high risk in anyway, you need to call your midwife and arrange an urgent appointment with a consultant midwife if you want to give birth in any MLU