st marys birth centre

[me23]

newly opened at st marys paddington, it is amazing! only 5 bed for low risk natural births. the rooms, well it's more like a 5 star hotel than a hospital(much nicer facilities than the lindo actually)en suites there are double beds so your partner can stay over, flat screen samsung tvs in each room. lovely wooden baby cribs. There are birthing pools in two of the rooms. and birth stools birth balls
plus one of those birth harnessess hanging from the ceiling that you can hang onto.

I have never seen a nicer place to give birth actually! (an I also work in private hospitals) Plus as there are only 5 beds you will get a lot of care and attention.
I'm so impressed with the place esp as it is nhs, it's designed for a natural active birth.
I don't know anyone that has given birth there yet, so don't know about that side of it. but it looks fantastic and hopefully will provide excellent care and great birth experiences.

hi, i'm probably choosing st mary's as my hospital, anyone had any experience there? is the birthing centre separate to the hospital? TIA!

Birth centre is on hospital site - so only one floor to the labour ward if you decide you want an epidural/have complications.

My neighbour is due to give birth there next month and am booked in for Feb.

The fact partners can stay over is the key factor for me deciding to go there.

Questions - re St Marys: generally pretty long waiting times to see midwives, so try to go for appointments earlier in the day. All very nice when you do see them. They also do the 12 week scan when they book you in.

Thanks Dinky! so does that mean I can choose to use the birthing centre from the outset and if any problems get transferred? it does sound great, having DH staying over, especially as this is our first.

also, how long do they take to contact you to arrange 12 week scan from when GP sends your referral? will i see the midwife before the 12 week scan?

and just being nosey, but where do you live? i don't live in the area but actually work very close by, but was given the option of St Marys as I think the other 3 in my area are a bit crap from what I've heard? I live close to wembley stadium.

Yep, as long as you're having a straightforward pregnancy, you can express a preference for the birth centre from the outset (and transfer to labour ward if complications/you change your mind) - think the midwives start seeing you at the birth centre from around 36 weeks if you are booked in with them.

They took a while to contact for 12 week scan (lost my referral) - they seem quite busy so if you dont hear from them within a couple of weeks of the referral call and check and follow up with your doctor.

I think it varies but at 12 weeks I had my scan and immediately after had midwife booking in appointment - if you can, ensure you DONT have your scan and booking in on a Friday (as if you want/need to do the Screening tests between 11 and 13 weeks they dont take bloods for those on a Friday).

I live in Queens Park. Have friends in Notting Hill who also went to St Marys (Labour Ward) and had good experience there.

Hi I was told that you wouldnt know whether you can actually deliver at the Birthing centre till you're 36 weeks and after being checked over by midwives....

DD was the 48th child born at the birth centre, at the end of July. We had a fantastic experience. I was focusing on the fact that DH would be able to spend the night with us if I got through the labour with only gas and air to keep me going!

The midwives who delivered DD were excellent - pretty much guided me through the experience rather than dictated. I remember asking if I was allowed to push yet and being told "if your body says push, then push - you know better than us!"

DD was born in the birthing pool. There were a few concerns early on with mec in my waters, but a senior midwife kept an eye on everything so i always felt safe. Knowing the main maternity ward is only one floor up also helps!

The aftercare was superb - so nice to have a room to ourselves and midwives on call 24/7 (there is literally a call button similar to the ones you get on aeroplanes!). We were also allowed to have visitors whenever we wanted. We were only allowed to stay there for 24 hours after the birth (although we smeaked a few extra hours) and as the unit was quiet we were moved to a clean room afterwards rather than staying in the birthing pool room (which I understand may happen if its busier and they can't move you - the bed folds down later so is completely clean)

The unit was pretty quiet when we went there as newly opened - I would imagine it will get booked up as word of how wonderful it is spreads.

As for pre-natal care, I was allowed to go to my local GP or the Birth Centre, totally up to me.

Altogether a fantastic experience - can't recommend the centre or the midwives there enough!

I had my 1st baby at St Mary's on the 25/11/12 and found it an amazing experience. I had a water birth and gas and air and felt totally relaxed considering he is my 1st.
The midwife who tended to me throughout my labour was patient, calming and very experienced (despite shed never had any children of her own).
After the birth I was helped to the shower and the recovery room which my partner was allowed to stay in with me.
We were however asked to leave at 4am as the center started filling up with women in labour while we were sleeping.
I didnt mind at all though as I was well rested and eager to get my new baby home and settle in.
5 stars to the midwives (day and night staff) and 5 stars to the NHS for providing such a nice, comforting place for women!
Id recommend it to ALL 1st time mums (low risk births of course)!