JUST found out the Birthing unit where I am due to give birth is CLOSED!!

[Nicky1306]

HI,

I am SO ANNOYED!! I've just found out the midwifery led unit at my local hospital is closed for 6 weeks for refurbishment as of TODAY!!! No one has mentioned this in any appointments I've had, it wasn't mentioned at the hospital tour!

I dont know what to do, i was 50/50 weather to have a home birth and had they told us this then i'd have def opted for a home birth!
I do not want to be flat on my back on a ward in labour like i was with DD1 , i'm now 39+2 so assuming if i order a birthing pool it wont arrive in time anyway.

Does anyone know what my options are re: turning up at another Birthing center? or where i can find out what is available to me locally I only moved to the area in December so have no idea whats around if anything. We live in Watford and the area covered by the Hospital is Massive its one of the busiest (and some say worst) maternity hospitals in the UK.

Thanks if you've got this far!!

xx

Hi Nicky,
I'm 38 weeks and like u have just found out that they are closing the ABC unit this week for 6 weeks! I have had a great stress free pregnancy and now feel so so upset! I have been told that they are planning to have a birthing pool on the delivery suite but this is all word of mouth and I am yet to hear anything from a midwife.
I'm gutted.. Most important thing I have to do in my life and everything I've planned for may now not happen. :'(
Maybe a call to the unit may make things clearer!

Philippa

Nicky I had both my children at Watford, dd naturally by ventouse 5yrs ago & ds by elcs 12 wks ago. Both times they were great couldn't fault them.

I read that the ABC unit was closed for 6 wks but that a birthing pool wd b avail on ds.

Good luck x

did you ask the mw about a hb instead? is there a local doula who could hire you a pool? most babies are born after due date so still a week or so to get this sortef

Hi ive spoken to the ABC they only found out this morning that it will be closed! there is no birthing pool on the delivery suite, only a bath which the midwife advised me was not adequate to labour in!
Merci- I dont really fancy wasting £100+ hiring a birthing pool in case it doesnt turn up in time, DD1 was only 1 day late.

xx

hi, the abc called me back.........apparently there is going to be an inflatable pool available she appologised for the confusion xx

nicky Hi, I live in Edgware. Watford was one of the options given to me for booking in to (I'm now 32+1) but I read a few reviews online that made me not so happy with it....I'm personally booked into the royal free in Hampstead as they have a maternity ward and midwife unit and as it's my first I wanted to keep my options open, but I know that Edgware Community Hospital has a really lovely midwife unit that loads of my friends went to and were really happy with. If you live in Watford it shouldn't take you that long to get there, maybe call them up and see what they say?! Truth is though you should just be able to turn up at any hospital as long as you have your notes with you, I have Edgware down as a back up plan in case it's rush hour and I don't think I'll get to the Royal Free on time, as long as they have space they can hardly turn you away once your in labour!!!

Can you def not get a pool in time? Phone up some places van send therm asap.

What pita and crap of therm not to have told you!!