Water birth at Royal Surrey

[wetnoodle]

I'm considering a water birth and was wondering if anyone has had one at Royal Surrey or know anyone who has? What was your/their experience?

Are the midwives supportive or do they look at you like you're a hippie freak and frog march you to the delivery suite?

Thanks!

I haven't, but thought I would bump for you anyway.

I had DC1 at the Royal Surrey and will have DC2 there too hopefully. Water birth not an option for DC1 as had to be induced.

How many weeks are you? Last time I was pg we went on the tour of the maternity wing. I think you have to be something like 34 weeks plus. If the birthing pool room is free they will take you in there which will enable you to visualise the set up. IME the mw's I have talked to are pro using the MLU and by definition the birthing pool. Infact the impression I got 2 years ago was that not that many women were opting to use the MLU. And the mw who did the tour said you may as well start off in the MLU as you have nothing to lose by trying it and then switching to the normal delivery suites if you want an epidural etc

Flood luck.

Good luck even!

Thanks Spider. I'm 27 weeks. Had a brief tour unexpectedly at 18 weeks as I had a bit of bleeding and had to go in. Planning to have a proper look around once I'm around 32 weeks.

Overall were you happy with the Royal Surrey?

Yes, very, and so is everyone else I know who has had their babies there. No horror stories, that I am hiding from you, unlike friends who have had babies in London hospitals.

In the end I ended up with an emcs so had to stay in for 4 days. The worst thing was the food, but if that's the worst I think that's a good reflection on the overall care we received. I got a newsletter from them last week saying that they are trialling new menus. Fingers crossed it is rolled out by November!