Experiences of a birth centre / midwife unit?

[janie85]

I had my first DC in a labor ward, and whilst it all went fine it did feel very clinical!
I was lucky only to have an episiotomy and only gas and air.

I'm pregnant with DC2 and would like to give birth in the Birth Centre which is part of the hospital so not far from medical assistance should it be required!

Has anyone given birth in a birth centre/midwife unit? And how was your experience? Thank you!

Hi @janie85

I had my daughter 2.5 years ago in the birth centre which same as yours was in the same hospital as labour ward and I honestly had the most beautiful experience. I gave birth in the birthing pool, the room was dimly lit with music playing and faux candles and the midwife just let me get on, I barely knew she was there.

I had a PPH a few hours later and was moved to HDU and all the medical assistance was there as I needed it, I felt safe and looked after throughout. Would absolutely recommend if the option is available.

Following with interest. Pregnant with dc3 and have the option of a stand alone maternity unit. Mw really selling it but still having some niggles.

If it's attached to the hospital I see no downside really. First baby had a lovely water birth in a stand alone birth unit. Was fab. Had a 3rd degree tear so was ambulanced to nearest hospital after.
Second was induced so had to birth in birthing unit attached to hospital. Was still lovely faculties, large foam bench and space meant could get into position I wanted. Baby was distressed and had a severe PPH so doctors with us within minutes and we both survived.

With the current pressures on the ambulance service I personally would not give birth in a stand alone unit. But that's my personal choice. Attached to a hospital, absolutely

Our 2 nearest MLUs are closed due to lack of staff OP apparently it's a National problem so worth checking out what's going on locally with your nearest ones.

Totally agree.

I had DD in a birth centre 7 months ago and I absolutely loved it. We had a big room with a double bed, private bathroom and birthing pool. We were able to play our own music through the speakers and adjust the lights. I'm not sure I'll have another baby but if I do, I wouldn't want to do it anywhere else.

I had my first on labour ward and my second in the birth centre.

Birth centre was amazing. I had DD in the pool with gas and air. The room was really nice and comfy and the midwife super experienced.

I actually had the same midwife deliver both my kids.

If possible, I'd pick the birth centre every time

Yes both times and it was very relaxed and I'd choose it again.

I had my little boy 5 weeks ago in a birth centre within the hospital. Got to choose the colour of my dimmer lighting, put our own music on and he was delivered in e pool with gas and air. Midwives were quite hands-off whilst still being fantastic cheerleaders and helping me through the pushing phase. I had a second degree tear stitched whilst still in the birth centre room and had a shower in the en-suite within the room.

It was a brilliant experience. The night on the general post natal ward afterwards however was hell on earth...!

I’ll try to keep this short so I don’t bore you!

Background: DC1’s birth was very medicalised. Induction on labour ward, epidural, ventouse. DC’s birth was, frankly, awful. Labour ward, midwives ignoring every request I made, left me to bleed for 2.5 hours afterwards. Traumatic.

With DC3 I was so frightened of a repeat of DC2’s birth so I opted for a stand-alone birth centre. I was the best decision I think I’ve ever made. We arrived, had the whole unit to ourselves, midwife was amazing - did the basic checks (temperature, baby’s heart rate, etc), prepped the birthing pool, dimmed the lights, set up the G&A and left us to get on with it, saying she’d be just down the corridor if we wanted company/had any issues. She must have reappeared at some point and also called the second midwife but there was no fuss - just a couple of checks with a mirror to check it was all progressing. No internal examinations at all (I’d requested VEs only if medically necessary). DC3 was born with no bother and they let me stay in the pool to deliver the placenta (they’re not really supposed to as it’s harder to measure blood loss in water) as I didn’t want to get out just yet. Stitched up in the room and stayed long enough to feed the baby, then we were given the option of staying the night (it was about 11pm by this point) or going home. We chose to go home to minimise disruption to our older children.

It was the most wonderful experience and it made me want to do it all again!

I should clarify that of course the midwife was in the room once it was clear things were progressing, but she sat in a corner quietly making a few notes and I barely registered her being there!