Barkantine Centre, Isle of Dogs, London

[Aubergenie]

I'm looking to switch my care away from Newham General hospital and have heard about the Barkantine Centre a new state of the art birthing centre near Canary Wharf. It only opened in January, and I wondered whether anyone had any experience of it.

I've heard good things about it. It isn't the same as a hospital, though - you certainly can't have a CS there, and I'm pretty sure they don't do epidurals.

Have you visited it?

No, I've only just found out about it. I'm thinking about a home birth, but if I decide against that it could be a good compromise. I think I'll give them a call and see if I can go and look round.

I know some ladies from the Tower Hamlets NCT group who have had good experiences there. I went on the tour and was impressed the place is clean, new (only opened in March) and you get a pool and a bed to share in each room.

Only thing to bear in mind is policy on not accepting you if you are overdue past a particular point and also if there are complications you will be transferred to the Royal London which has mixed reviews.

Thanks Cityangel. Good point about transferring too. I'll bear that in mind.

I gave birth to dd there in March. It was great, the mw were excellent, the facillities are new and really well thought out. Also had ante- and post- natal care there which was good too, although you have to go for the pn care, they don't come to you.
They have pretty strict inclusion criteria- have to be bw 37 and 42 weeks, and there are a few other things too, but tbh if you had any of them you'd probably want to be in the hospital anyway. Also, they are very limited in the pain relief you can have, but no more than a home birth!
I had a lot of bleeding and got transferred to hospital immediately following the birth. Would have loved to stay, but we were still looked after really well at the RL too.
Tours are a couple times a week. I'd definitely go and see if it's the sort of place you'd like. But if you're thinking of a home birth, I bet you'll like it

Brilliant. Thanks for that e14mum!

The Barkantine Centre in the Isle of Dogs - what a fantastic name - worth going just for that!

In case anyone else is thinking of going there, I was able to self refer over the phone and we're going for a tour next weekend. The woman on the phone was really friendly. I'm quite excited.

at your comment about the name Amberc - it hadn't occured to me, but you're absolutely right!

Hi all,
I had tried to get a referral for the Barakantine but have been told it is fully booked and would be put on the waiting list. Has anyone had any luck with this..?

Don't give up hope Claudib. I went for my tour there and they explained how the booking in system works as they have very recently changed they way they operate.

Even if you are signed up with them they now don't give you any ante-natal appointments until you are 36 weeks (you see your regular midwife before then). Then, at this point, they assess you and assuming you are still low risk then you go back there a few times for check-ups until the birth. The criteria you need to fulfill are quite strict - no breech babies, no diabetes, no high blood pressure etc so inevitably, by 36 weeks, quite a number of women are "rejected" and presumably this frees up some of the spaces on their list.

So, you should make an alternative arrangement, but I can see how they might eventually get more spaces, although you wouldn't know until the last minute.

When are you due?

ooh thanks that's hopefull! it's probably worthwhile booking a tour then i guess.
i'm due Sept 11th. 32 weeks.

Hello ladies,

I have just set up a private physiotherapy service at the Barkantine Centre in Canary Wharf and reading through your posts, I gather there is a concern about the lack of pain relief offered. I am also qualified in modern acupuncture and wonder how popular this service would be to pregnant ladies. I was thinking perhaps in the near future of setting up a system whereby the pregnant residents had access to this treatment as part of a package which maybe also included a group backcare class incorporating an aspect of pilates? How would that sort of thing be received? Obviously traditional physiotherapy is offered too! At the moment, I am based there on request every Monday (6:30) and Thursday (5:30) evenings. Please contact the Barkantine reception for appointments.
The following is a BBC article on acupuncture for various treatments during pregnancy. Cheers and stay well.

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/4358509.stm

My name's Craig by the way.

Just to follow up for anyone trying to get into the Barkantine..
After referring I was told they were full up but to wait until they would do the assessments of other patients at 36 weeks and I'd be put on their waiting list to get in. (I was number 10 on the list)

I had given up hope but they've just phoned me up with a place!! so hopefully if i pass the midwife's tests i may be in.

so don't give up!!

I was in 18th week when I called them and they put my name down. They promised to contact me by 28th week and book me for a tour and then see if I get through their assessment.;-)

hi, I'm bumping this as i'm trying to decide whether to go to the Royal London or the Barkantine, providing things go well of course. I'm only 5+5 today and due middle of August 09.

Has anyone else had experience of giving birth there, and what sort of conditions lead to being transferred to the Royal London?

MichaelaS- see my earlier post (as e14mum)- I loved it there and have a few friends since who have also had great experiences there. I know 2 people who were transferred due to meconium in their waters, and I was transferred due to a PPH.
Have you spoken to them? Been on a tour? Has your gp given you a leaflet? I think it lists a lot of the inclusion criteria.
Good luck!

Hi, thanks ilovegreenbeans, no I haven't been round there yet but one of my friends is a GP at the doctors practise there, and another friend was (part) responsible for building the birth center in the first place, so it's an obvious choice for me. I found a 2 pager online from them, but its a bit early to be going on a tour, i'll only be 6 weeks tomorrow!

Anyone else have experience of it?

My partners sister had her baby there in Feb 08 and really liked it. I visited her there, it was a really nice place.

I am now 18 and a half weeks preg myself and have been referred there by my GP/Midwife. They referred me at around 10 weeks and I received a letter from Barkantine inviting me in for a tour. Does this mean that so long as I pass there assesment at 36 weeks then I have a place?
Thanks x

dear claudib

i would certainly be interested in any kind of pain relief especially in labour but also as a way of allieviating before and after back issues.

i think what you are doing is very exciting and would ceratinly like to be part of it.
I am 27 weeks pregnant and am very keen to go to the Barkantine and like some other writers here have already mentioned worried about the lack of pain relief.

I did a visit and it is a very nice clean new centre but am also concerned with only being able to be accepted at such a late stage.

hmm