Switching hospitals?

[FTM91]

Has anyone had any experience switching hospitals and how did you go about doing it?

I am roughly equidistant between three. When I found out I was pregnant and rang the GP they just said choose where you want to have the baby and self refer, so I picked the one that had the shortest drive time! (Tried reviews and they all had a mixture of good and bad so used drive time as the decider)

Anyway I'm now 15 weeks so have been able to do a lot more reading and thinking about the type of birth I would like to aim for. I really want to try a water birth but the MLU at my current hospital only has one pool, whereas the MLU at the next closest hospital has one in each room!

Do you think this is a valid reason to switch? Incase the one pool isn't available?

I also know from my reading that my ideal birth could go out the window but surely if all goes smoothly I should aim to give myself the best chance of having the birth I would like and therefore switch to the place with the pools?

OP- Most water births go out the window in reality. I also wanted one for both mine, my labours were too quick/intense. I really would not base your decision on this.

I think you'd be fine to change, just make sure you're sure - if you couldn't have a water birth in the end, for whatever the reason, would you still be happy to be at that hospital?
I had a waterbirth in mlu for my first and loved it. No harm you aiming for it at least

I personally would go with whichever hospital covers your GP surgery and address (the community midwives will have a catchment area for visits). You’re more likely to get to see someone you know for your postnatal care, and the paperwork, blood results etc. will all marry up.

Thanks for your replies everyone

I'm under absolutely no illusion and I know there are a thousand reasons why I water birth might not happen. If I don't get one for any medical reason then that's fine but if it's simply because there's no access then I think that will be disappointing. Even having access for pain relief and giving birth on dry land would be preferable.

The two to choose from arr really one and the same in terms of ratings and reviews. The third, the one technically linked to my GP I have only heard horror stories from, from 3 separate people I know closely as well as internet reviews so that's a no go.

I think I'll wait until 25 weeks or so and see how things are going and will switch if it's going smoothly