Domino scheme Dublin

[WeShouldOpenABar]

Ive heard good things about the domino scheme in Dublin has anyone had any experience of it?

Ive been trying all week to ring them to book in and haven't managed to get through, I'm considering just ringing the hospital and booking in as semi private just to get in the system, are they usually this bad about answering the phones?

[WeShouldOpenABar]

The midwife specially mentioned epidurals as pain relief so I'm hoping everything else is up for grabs

[MarDhea]

Purely an academic question as I'm done having kids, but when people say "no pain relief", do you mean absolutely nada, not even gas & air? Or just no major league pain relief, as in no epidural, opiates, etc.?

I ask because I know some people who don't consider gas & air to be real pain relief during labour. But I do! It was bloody brilliant!

Hats off to anyone doing it with nothing at all, though.

[WeShouldOpenABar]

I'm still waiting for a call from a midwife to find out details, the first lot of information I got told me to book the 22 week scan which I did, but no one mentioned a twelve week scan or booking appointment are those still done?

[ThatPerfectHeart]

I had my (huge) baby in Holles St last summer and found the Domino scheme absolutely fantastic. I loved that they respected my wishes amd my previous experience, and applied common sense when needed.

I got to the hospital at 1am, had my 12lb 11 baby by 3am with no pain relief, and was home snuggling my 6 and 3 year olds by 3pm. Also no waiting around for hours for public appointments, just civilised minimal waiting times in local clinics.
I'd highly recommend them.

[ThatsNotAKnifeThatsASpoon]

Yes I'm sure I did put pressure on myself. I didn't realise staying in your PJs feeding was what you were supposed to do. I guess I figured if I was allowed home I should have had everything sorted, clean house, washing on, roast in the oven and tea and biscuits ready for the midwife

[mikado1]

Conflicting advice, v annoying!

However did you pressure on yourself to give impression you were on top of it? I was in pjs feeding for every visit and I was glad of the friendly and kind face (no family nearby). That said I was fine 're feeding apart from positioning which was sorted quickly. The conflicting advice should really be sorted, esp I it's a midwife telling you to combine/top up if there's no need and you don't want to I'm looking at you phn from ds1 on day bloody 3

[ThatsNotAKnifeThatsASpoon]

I think I am in the minority though preferring semi private, I was definitely more confident and found feeding easier anyway so domino probably would have been fine on my 2nd. I was youngish with my first. If you are happy OP best of luck, most people rave about domino.

[ThatsNotAKnifeThatsASpoon]

I actually found the visit every day for a week a bit stressful. I felt pressurised to act like I was on top of it all when really I had no clue. We also had different midwives every day who gave conflicting advice and really stressed us out over feeding I was also accused of having PND because I had a shower and put on make up the morning of the first visit (first shower after birth cos I couldn't get one on the public ward

[mikado1]

Oh God yes the aftercare was everything (especially as my baby didn't wait and was 'delivered' by a friend!). Fantastic to have someone come and tell you you're wonderful every day for a week! :) Forget the Hoover, on the first visit I was topless in my bed!

[cuirderussie]

Great Weshould. They visit every day for a week after you go home oh no get the hoover out

[WeShouldOpenABar]

I think the early release is reason enough to go with the scheme, I'd rather not spend any time on a ward be it semi private or public. Also the clinic is near work so my appointments will be easier throughout

I'm in the system now and have my 22 week anomoly scan booked. No ones mentioned a twelve week scan but I get a discount on glo health so i may just pay privately if one doesn't materialize

[cuirderussie]

Yeah my Domino babies were my second and third so I chose to go home quickly and only spent a few hours in the public ward. Depending on the birth, some women might need a bit more time. I'd still rate the overall care above semi-private though the accommodation wasn't as nice.

[mikado1]

I did it through the rotunda and it was fantastic and got the smallest public ward after and it was absolutely fine (went private first time). Have you had your 12w booking in appointment? That's when I got on the system.

[ThatsNotAKnifeThatsASpoon]

I had this on my first but went semi private on my second. I can't fault the midwives (though they will try to dissuade you from pain relief/epidural) but the public ward after was just grim. If you can afford it semi private was much more bearable, no major difference in after care that I noted. Domino is probably not a great idea for your first if you're not confident what you want for pain relief etc

[RuggerHug]

I really wanted this after I looked it up but was told people book when they're 6 weeks pregnant so not a hope of getting in. Hope it works out as great as it seems for you

[cuirderussie]

They are quite pro the natural approach but on the day itself you're totally free to go for the epidural, they certainly won't stop you. I had an epi with one baby and au naturel with the other, the latter mainly because he arrived quickly so no time! I love the personal approach they have, they're a small team and you get to know them a bit. I had one baby in the Rotunda and the other in Holles St-both were great. Honestly, I couldn't say enough nice things about them

[WeShouldOpenABar]

Thanks cuirderussie I finally got through.

The woman on the phone mentioned a natural or alternative approach to pain management. Does that mean only those options or will I be able to change my mind when the pain actually hits!

[cuirderussie]

They are outstanding, do keep trying. They fill up pretty quickly though. I went with them even though I was covered for semi-private because the care you get is better. Really amazing women, just loved them.