Independent midwives/birthing centres in the Thames Valley/Berkshire?

[Glimmer]

I have always invisioned a home birth and am very frustrated with my local NHS services.
I am considering to work with an independent midwife or birthing centre, although I don't think there is one in Berkshire, only London.
Can you recommend a good independent midwife in this area and what was your experience? Are there any other options I might not be aware of? Thank you!

have you had a look on: www.independentmidwives.org.uk

you may find an im there. you can have a homebirth with an nhs mw present though.

cx

There is an independent midwives' centre between Reading and Maidenhead, here \link{http://www.themidwiferycentre.co.uk/contact/thanks.html}. I've contacted them but haven't got round to booking anything yet.

Oh, blast. Try again hope this one works!

Are you aware that the Royal Berks has a birthing centre at the hospital? I believe it is on the floor above the normal maternity unit.

Thanks for your feedback. I didn't know about the Royal Berks birthing centre. I have had very, very negative experience with their EPU/emergency station and try to avoid going there.

Thanks for the webpages. I have been to the Midwiferycentre in Hare Hatch and have a very good impressiosn of them. They do only complementary care, i.e. one has to stay in the NHS system and they do not do homebirths.
So it's not a way to avoid the NHS or the RBH.

Thanks again!

I live within East Berkshire PCT, and it was 4 years ago now, but I just elected to have a home birth and I was supported throughout by my local team of community midwives. An experience I hope to be able to repeat with my third child! Clare

Thank you for sharing your experience, Clare.