Natural Childbirth at the Whittington

[NBD]

Hi-

I'm an American, just moved to Highbury, and am going to deliver my first baby at the Whittington. I'm hoping to be able to give birth without an epidural, episiotomy, etc. I've read the excellent "Stand and Deliver" by Emma Mahoney, and it suggests getting a copy of the hospital's protocols so you know what to expect and can make a birth plan accordingly. Well, I went yesterday and the consultant said he wasn't sure there were any, and no one had ever asked him. He did assure me that whatever the labouring woman wants (within reason), she gets.

I am curious what experiences women have had at the Whittington. Can you walk around? Do they want you to lie down to deliver the baby or are they ok with letting you be in any position that's comfortable (Squatting, standing, in water)? Do they dissuade you from water birth? Are they ok with doulas? Do they do routine episiotomies? Do they induce a lot, and if so, do they let you decide if you want to or just really strongarm you into it after a certain period of time? And I know post-natal there is horrid, but how long do you typically stay?

I really appreciate your feedback. I've yet to take a tour, but have been to appointments there and have been seen pretty quickly. I hear mixed things about all hospitals but on the whole, but there seems to be a lot of positive things said about the midwives in the labour ward.

Also, just as a side noteit's incredible how midwife-led this country is. In the states, you're "weird" if you go with a midwife, and home birth, water birth, hypnobirth, standing, etc. are, on the whole, all considered fruity. So as daunting as it is to navigate the NHS I still don't quite get it -- it's great to have all these options.

I had my dd at the Whittington in Feb this year. I went to the antenatal classes, which didn't include much about water birth though we did see a video. I laboured in the pool once I'd got to 5cm (they don't let you in earlier than that cos it slows things down) which really, really helped things for me but mws told me I had to get out to give birth as there wasn't anyone on duty who was qualified to deliver in the water. I don't know if I was just unlucky. They don't do a waterbirth class there now (I enquired in Feb) so if you did want to have a waterbirth class I guess you'd have to do a private class somewhere. UCH do a course but they wouldn't let me do it as I wasn't registered with them. But, no one stopped me using the pool.
The midwives were great - really friendly, supportive and helpful throughout (incl antenatal care and most postnatal mw's I saw (apart from one cow on duty at night!). The postnatal ward is a bit grim (only one bathroom was in use the day I was there and I had to walk the length of the ward to get there (or hobble!). Still, you're only there for 24 hours max if labour has been straightforward so I don't think it's a big disadvantage.

Best of luck, and let me know if you've got any other questions.

NBD: if you may be going for a homebirth, then have a look at this site as it will give you a good understanding of how the homebirth option works in the UK.

in fact, it may give you lots of ideas even if you don't opt for a HB.

I'm a UK citizen but raised abroad and I wish I had more before I had my first.