Birth Centre or Labour Ward?

[mum707]

I am 28 weeks pregnant with my second child. First one was a forecep delivery. This time my midwife suggested that as its a low risk pregnancy, birth centre would be fine, but ofcourse up to me to decide.
This is at Northwick Park hospital, where birth centre is a part of hospital only.
During my first pregnancy, I went with epidural, as pains were unbearable after 12 hours of labour. I am worried they dont give epidural in birth centre (obviously it will be my last option if its too unbearable). But she again said second time is much easier as compared to first.
What has your experience been if anyone has been to birth centre?

Second child here and my midwives have tried to sway me towards a home birth. I said absolutely not. I had an epidural last time and I want one this time (or at least the option) so labour ward for me.

DS1 waters broke at 36+4 weeks, long 24hr labour. Ended in every drug available and forceps.

DS2 I went to birthing centre and had a water birth. 6hr active labour, with only gas and air. It was sooo peaceful in the birthing centre and I’d really recommend a water birth!

Currently pregnant with #3 and hoping we get to use bc and pool again this time!

@FizzingWhizzbee123 Home birth is a definite no for me as well. But at birth centre, I think the good part is that I can be moved to labour ward in case there is an emergency as its not a seperate unit, and is a part of hospital (just two floors away).

@Queenbee95, same story with my first one. Long labour, tried all sorts of pain reliefs (incl. epidural) and finally ended up with forcep delivery.
I think I'll go with birthing centre listening to your positive feedback . Hopefully should be quicker this time. Not sure about water birth though. My midwife was suggesting that. will think about it.

Honestly birthing centre was great, so much more calm and relaxing. Our birth centre is also connected to the hospital so I felt reassured that if something did go wrong, I wasn’t far from the help I’d need

I've been thinking about this too

The birth centre looks so nice and comfortable but I think I'd want an epidural if the pain became too intense so that wild mean I'd need to be in the labour ward. I know they say you can transfer but I'm thinking that would take time

yes, my midwife said sometimes its too busy, and it will all depend upon the situation then. felt she was kinda discouraging. that's what has been my major concern, what if i really need an epidural, and i am just stuck there. I am being little hopeful that all will go well as this is my second one. lets see.

Do you have to make the decision now?

I was down for the labour ward on the request of my consultant, when I went in to triage the midwife in charge was happy for me to give birth on the midwife unit and then be transferred to the labour ward for the monitoring that the consultant requested.

No, I dont have to make the decision now. Just thought I should make up my mind, and let my midwife know on whatever I decide. She said probably in the next appointment, she will show around the birth centre, and will introduce to the other midwifes in the unit, some of who will be present during delivery.

The only thing I put on my birth plan was the option to have an epidural so they said I would be on the labour ward for that reason x