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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Choose a birthing centre 30/40 mins away?

39 replies

Adele12345 · 13/10/2021 18:34

I am 5 weeks pregnant with my first and need to arrange a midwife/gp appointment. I really want a water birth and we have a birthing centres 10 mins drive from home, but there’s only 1 pool, so you’re not guaranteed it’s use.

There is a birthing centre 30/40 mins drive, with pools in all of the rooms. Do you think that’s too far to drive? As it’s my first I have no clue!

Should say, I do appreciate that when the time comes I may not even be eligible to use the pool…or the centre with pools in every room could be full. It’s just the birthing centre 30/40 mins away have recommended that if I plan on giving birth there that I should also plan on going for my scans/tests there too, and to book in with one of their midwives. Thanks!

OP posts:

Lj8893 · 13/10/2021 21:38

How close are you to the nearest consultant led unit?

I ask because the only way you are guaranteed a pool is to hire one and have a homebirth. And you may find that your home is closer to a consultant led unit than the birth centre is (in case you needed a transfer).

Glassofshloer · 13/10/2021 21:55

Is it a stand-alone centre OP? If it is, I wouldn’t risk it - imagine driving that far only to (potentially) face a transfer to hospital later on in labour.

If it’s attached to a hospital, I would probably go for it to get the pool - that way one you’re there you’re there, and you can be transferred to CDU if needed within a few minutes

MsSquiz · 13/10/2021 22:03

I chose to travel 25 mins to our birthing centre, but that's because it's attached to a hospital. So in the event that it became necessary to move to delivery suite (or theatre) it wouldn't take longer than a lift ride up a few floors.

And that was based on me having a "textbook pregnancy" (according to my midwives) and zero issues. Luckily for me, when I arrived at the birthing centre and my bp was taken, it was sky high and I was sent straight upstairs.
If I had gone to the nearest stand alone centre, it would've been an approx 30 mins drive to the hospital.

PinkPlantCase · 13/10/2021 22:08

Have you considered a home birth OP? You could hire a pool and know that if all is well you will definitely get to use it.

I had a Homebirth with my first baby earlier this year and it was lovely

BringPizza · 13/10/2021 22:10

Our nearest hospital is that far. At 6am DH did it in quite a bit less for fear of delivering on the side of the road.

Original poster

Adele12345 · 13/10/2021 22:34

Thank you for all of the comments. It seems like it’s doable…but not pleasant! Which I can cope with.

Both are very close to theatres and wards. The closest one is directly connected to a small hospital. The further away one is a maternity hospital- has theatre, ward, NICU together. It’s also right next to a major hospital. They also both have similar reviews when I look on the nhs site.

I wouldn’t want a home birth, it’s important to me to be close to a hospital in case of an emergency. I couldn’t relax at home worrying what if.

Proximity to urgent medical services is the top of the list…given both the birthing suites have that are close to a theatres it just comes down to distance really for me. Totally rules out a home birth though.

OP posts:

Lj8893 · 13/10/2021 22:36

It sounds like the closest one isn’t connected to a maternity hospital?

Original poster

Adele12345 · 13/10/2021 22:36

Also the comment about booking into a hotel would be a good idea. There are plenty of travel inn type places should we arrive and need to leave.

OP posts:

Glassofshloer · 13/10/2021 22:36

I think you’re very sensible OP. Homebirth carries nearly double the risk of very bad outcomes for babies. It’s more for the mother really, but is much safer for 2nd+ time mums. Make sure you do a dry run to the hospital one day so you know the route, which entrance to go in etc!

Lj8893 · 13/10/2021 22:37

It’s irrelevant being close to a hospital unless the hospital has a labour ward/central delivery suite on it!

Original poster

Adele12345 · 13/10/2021 22:40

The closest one isn’t connected to a maternity hospital. But it is connected to a hospital, that has a maternity ward. According to the website it says they do higher risk births there and theatre.

The further away one is part of a maternity hospital (quite a large one)

OP posts:

Sweetsaremyfave · 13/10/2021 22:42

Is the one closest to you a midwife led birth centre or a hospital? I would suggest going to a hospital with doctors and theatres on site over a totally midwife led unit. The last thing you want is stress and an ambulance trip if you need assistance at your birth. Im having my second baby in a couple of months and will be going to my main hospital (40min car trip) rather than the local midwife led unit. Good luck with your pregnancy 👍🏻

Original poster

Adele12345 · 13/10/2021 22:47

The closest one is a midwife led birthing centre, connected to a hospital via a corridor. It is a relatively small hospital.

The further away one is part of a maternity hospital. It’s the regional centre of excellence for maternity. The maternity hospital is located next to the city’s largest hospital.

OP posts:

Lj8893 · 13/10/2021 22:52

I’d go for the furthest one away in that case. The chances are you will have plenty of time to get there with a first time labour.

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