Birth Centre - First baby

[KRabbit]

I'm 36 weeks pregnant with my first baby and have decided to go to Caerphilly Birthing Centre. This is a stand alone centre. We live in a small village just outside Caerphilly and the CBC is about 5 mins from us.

The other choice is a 30 minute drive to the major University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but as I am terrified of hospitals (phobia) I really don't want to go there. We visited the hospital birth centre and labour ward and REALLY didn't like it at all. It was shabby and not very homely or comfortable at all.

CBC is lovely, small warm homely and cosy and I've had all my ante natals there and know all the midwives (Haven't had one ante natal at the UHW in Cardiff and know none of the staff at all) - as I'm so scared of giving birth I feel I'd be more relaxed and able to cope in a small cosy familliar environment. About 48% of their mothers are first timers.

Trouble is I'm gettng grief from relatives/friends who say its terribly "dangerous" to have baby number 1 outside of a hospital environment and I won't be able to do it without an epidural etc etc (can't have one in the birth centre). They aren't taking into account my fears and feelings on the matter.

As I really would not cope with going to a big hospital (would freak out and have massive panic attacks as I'm so scared of those places and UHW isn't very nice) I really want to know that I'm doing the right thing by going to CBC. I haven't had any problems in pregnancy and am not high risk in any way.

[Peridot30]

If you have had no probs in pregnancy then the CBC sounds ideal. you need to do what you feel more comfortable with.

My friend gave birth to her 2lo with no epidural whereas i dont do pain and knew i would need epidural therefore had to go to hospital.

IF there are any problems they can always transfer you to hospital.

Good luck when the time comes

[NorksBride]

I had my first 2 DCs in a birthing unit - main hospital is about 20 minutes away and it didn't appeal to me at all.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time with both. I had waterbirths and no pain relief, knew nearly all the staff, DH was comfortable there too. And there was always someone around to help with me and my newborns, I had a room to myself and I had a really quick drive home afterwards! And the midwives made me hot chocolate at bedtime. Heaven!

All of my post-natal group (except one emergency c-section) all had their 1st babies at the centre and all went back for subsequent births. And we're a mixed bag of women - it's not just the earth-mothers or proving-myself-a-martyr types that give birth without pain relief. With good support it's surprisingly easy.

I had my 3rd DC at home because I had so much confidence in myself and no fear of birth whatsoever. In fact I quite like it (certainly it's better than pregnancy)!

And you are only 30 minutes from a hospital - should they need to transfer you, that's quite an easy trip. Trust in yourself and your midwife - friends & relatives often mean well but they can talk a lot of rubbish!

Once your labour gets underway, you'll stop being nervous. It's all this sitting about during the last few weeks of pregnancy that gives you too much time to dwell on the birth! I'm sure it'll be great.

Give me a shout if you need to know anything else!

[NorksBride]

I had my first 2 DCs in a birthing unit - main hospital is about 20 minutes away and it didn't appeal to me at all.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time with both. I had waterbirths and no pain relief, knew nearly all the staff, DH was comfortable there too. And there was always someone around to help with me and my newborns, I had a room to myself and I had a really quick drive home afterwards! And the midwives made me hot chocolate at bedtime. Heaven!

All of my post-natal group (except one emergency c-section) all had their 1st babies at the centre and all went back for subsequent births. And we're a mixed bag of women - it's not just the earth-mothers or proving-myself-a-martyr types that give birth without pain relief. With good support it's surprisingly easy.

I had my 3rd DC at home because I had so much confidence in myself and no fear of birth whatsoever. In fact I quite like it (certainly it's better than pregnancy)!

And you are only 30 minutes from a hospital - should they need to transfer you, that's quite an easy trip. Trust in yourself and your midwife - friends & relatives often mean well but they can talk a lot of rubbish!

Once your labour gets underway, you'll stop being nervous. It's all this sitting about during the last few weeks of pregnancy that gives you too much time to dwell on the birth! I'm sure it'll be great.

Give me a shout if you need to know anything else!

[NorksBride]

I had my first 2 DCs in a birthing unit - main hospital is about 20 minutes away and it didn't appeal to me at all.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time with both. I had waterbirths and no pain relief, knew nearly all the staff, DH was comfortable there too. And there was always someone around to help with me and my newborns, I had a room to myself and I had a really quick drive home afterwards! And the midwives made me hot chocolate at bedtime. Heaven!

All of my post-natal group (except one emergency c-section) all had their 1st babies at the centre and all went back for subsequent births. And we're a mixed bag of women - it's not just the earth-mothers or proving-myself-a-martyr types that give birth without pain relief. With good support it's surprisingly easy.

I had my 3rd DC at home because I had so much confidence in myself and no fear of birth whatsoever. In fact I quite like it (certainly it's better than pregnancy)!

And you are only 30 minutes from a hospital - should they need to transfer you, that's quite an easy trip. Trust in yourself and your midwife - friends & relatives often mean well but they can talk a lot of rubbish!

Once your labour gets underway, you'll stop being nervous. It's all this sitting about during the last few weeks of pregnancy that gives you too much time to dwell on the birth! I'm sure it'll be great.

Give me a shout if you need to know anything else!

[TeeCee]

I had my first in a birthing centre and it was fab, didn't ever regret a single moment of it. Had my 2nd at home. Do what feels right. Enjoy

[NorksBride]

I had my first 2 DCs in a birthing unit - main hospital is about 20 minutes away and it didn't appeal to me at all.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time with both. I had waterbirths and no pain relief, knew nearly all the staff, DH was comfortable there too. And there was always someone around to help with me and my newborns, I had a room to myself and I had a really quick drive home afterwards! And the midwives made me hot chocolate at bedtime. Heaven!

All of my post-natal group (except one emergency c-section) all had their 1st babies at the centre and all went back for subsequent births. And we're a mixed bag of women - it's not just the earth-mothers or proving-myself-a-martyr types that give birth without pain relief. With good support it's surprisingly easy.

I had my 3rd DC at home because I had so much confidence in myself and no fear of birth whatsoever. In fact I quite like it (certainly it's better than pregnancy)!

And you are only 30 minutes from a hospital - should they need to transfer you, that's quite an easy trip. Trust in yourself and your midwife - friends & relatives often mean well but they can talk a lot of rubbish!

Once your labour gets underway, you'll stop being nervous. It's all this sitting about during the last few weeks of pregnancy that gives you too much time to dwell on the birth! I'm sure it'll be great.

Give me a shout if you need to know anything else!

[NorksBride]

Sorry - computer failure!

[CrocodileKate]

I had my first in a midwife unit. It was absolutely fine. I also felt that I wouldn't cope in a large hospital and was adamant that I didn't want an epidural anyway. (my fear of needles was far greater than my fear of giving birth).

[WeaselMum]

There is no truth to what your friends have been saying - I don't see why it would be "dangerous" and you certainly can do it without an epidural - I and many of my friends did - all first babies. You have to feel comfortable and you obviously like the CBC. I think the main thing is to think about why you are so scared of giving birth - is it because of the pain, possible interventions etc - and think about the best way to tackle that. Congratulations on your pregnancy and best of luck with the birth.

[monkeymonkeymoomoo]

I had my first, and as yet only, baby at home (have replied to your other post ). My first husband died from cancer a few years ago and I have very bad memories of hospital which makes me panic every time I go so I knew I didn't want a hospital birth if possible. My midwife was very supportive and encouraging, to be honest I feared the hospital more than the pain so I was more relaxed at home (being tense makes the pain worse). A lot of people said that I was mad, particularly first time round but it was the right decision for me and my partner so that is all that matters.

If that is what you want then go for it, being comfortable and happy with your choice of birth place is important.

[Heathcliffscathy]

ignore your relatives and friends.

the option you are taking (providing you are having a normal pregnancy) is actually safer.

you are doing absolutely the right thing.

if any problem comes up it will not be a problem to transfer you to hospital.

tell them to get back in their boxes.

[KRabbit]

Thanks everyone for all your help and positive stories!!

I guess my "fear" is that of the unknown. I have read so many stories about women saying they had a terrible time, thought they were dying, pain was unbearable blahblah, and it scares me because I don't know how it will be for me or how I'll cope. I have no idea what my "pain threshold" is like or whether I can "do " pain or whether I will "need" an epidural as I've never really had severe pain in my life and have never been in hospital overnight. I'm not someone who takes painkillers for every little twinge but don't know how bad labour will be.

I also have a phobia of vomiting (Hospitals and vomiting are my big fears!) so I'm worried about being sick in labour but I have been given the anti-emetic metoclopramide to take in labour to combat this.

Worst offender is my mum. She had a terrible labour and birth with me (her first) way back in 1971 - 24 hour labour with inadequate pain relief and support, culminating in forceps delivery - and as epdiurals weren't available back then on the NHS she keeps on about how she wished she could have had one. She doesn't know anything about them other than they "stop the pain" and thinks I should have one so I don't suffer like she did! I've explained that epidurals can also cause the exact problems she had - prolonged labour and assisted delivery but she just says "Ah but you won't have the pain and it would be worth it not to have any pain".

Trouble is hospitals terrify me so much that pain or no pain I coulnd't bear being in one unless it was unavoidable! Just going to visit people in hospital or going for out paitent appointments is a really scary ordeal for me. Giving birth in one (pain or no pain) would be almost unbearable.

I love CBC and so does my other half,its so homely and clean, the rooms are like little hotel rooms. Both of us were disappointed by the UHW (shabby, dirty, sparse rooms, dirty toilets, overworked staff) and to be honest the thought of going there fills me with terror!

I have had no problems in my pregnancy, baby is fine and haven't even needed to see an obstetrician or hospital doctor. Its just that being my first I dunno what to expect, I just think I'll cope better at the CBC. It will be unbearably scary for me at the UHW.

[KRabbit]

PS -


Oh and on the other hand theres my mum in law (ex nurse) who is completely ANTI epidural - she never had one for any of her three labours but she has had them for back surgery and she just goes on and on about how nasty they are and how they mess up your back and cause side effects and how they should only be used for c-sections, not vaginal delivery!

But she can't quite get her head around a "birth centre" - she still thinks its a hospital full of doctors and can't quite be persuaded otherwise (she lives 250 miles away in Kent so doesn't know CBC) - she keeps saying "don't let them bully you into having a epidural" and can't quite beleive me when I say there are no doctors of epidurals at CBC!!!

Then there younger mums I know - ex schoolfriends of my other half and friends of mine, who just go on and on about how terrible labour was for them. They all had hospital births with epidurals.

[wishingchair]

If having a baby was "dangerous" at a Birthing Centre, they wouldn't exist.

You'll be fine. And if there are any signs of problems or you really don't think you'll be able to cope, it's not too far to go to get to the hospital. I gave birth at hospital (we don't have any birth centres near us) but it was fine. No one even suggested an epidural, let alone attempted to bully me into it! So please don't think it'll be lovely gentle kind midwives at the CBC and evil battleaxes at the hospital ... I've never met a mean midwife (although my last midwife told me they do exist )

[Judy1234]

I think studies show home birth is safest but if you really want to risk it the birth centre will be safer than hospital. Ignore the relatives. It will be fine.

[NorksBride]

I would venture to say that younger mothers may well be less life confident and more likely to do as Dr tells them, hence they have epidurals & probably more intervention. I'd have been useless if I'd given birth before the age of at least 25 whereas my SIL, at a mere 16, took the whole thing in her stride (very admirable - took me a long time to grow up)!! She's now handling teenagers with aplomb and she's not yet 30!

If the pain of childbirth was 'unbearable' then none of us would be able to bear it.

I always describe the pain of labour to be more akin to that of very hard physical exertion - it is not like being stabbed or beaten (not that I know what being stabbed feels like but I can take a fair guess). Which is why it is better to work with the pain, breathe correctly, stay on your feet, move around, rock your pelvis, sway your hips and relax in warm water.

You seem entirely confident in the CBC. I hope it all goes beautifully and we all expect to hear about it BEFORE Christmas!!

[Galmum]

They would n't let you use a birthing centre unless they are happy with your & baby's health - so as long as nothing changes why not - the medical world is in support of your plan - not against it! With all due respect, your relatives and friends are probably not experts!

You're not planning to give birth in the woods!! There are experienced midwives on the unit, for pain there is gas & air and pethidine and from the way you talk you feel very relaxed and comfortable there, which can make all the difference. You can also be moved by ambulance if things are not progressing well.

I never got to go to the birth centre with ds as my waters broke with meconium in them and I had to go to the standard unit - which was pretty good. However I'm really hoping to go a birth centre this time.

Good luck and see how you feel as time goes on.

[puppydavies]

in the unlikely event that you have to transfer i hope you find the care at uhw as good as i did. yes, the place doesn't look great, but i found the staff thoughtful, dedicated and respectful of my wishes. given that pretty much everything had gone against plan in my labour it could have been a traumatic experience (transfer by ambulance from homebirth) and i feel it was very well managed by the staff at uhw.

i chose a hb for similar reasons you've chosen the cbc, but believe me, by the time i transfered i was very grateful that the facilities at uhw were available (e.g. wonderful mobile epi at 3 in the morning).

i do understand your fear, and hope to avoid the hospital, and everything's on your side that you have a fabulous normal birth at the cbc, but please don't feel that transfer is the end of the world or a failure or necessarily traumatic, as it doesn't have to be like that.

good luck.

[flamesparrow]

Bah @ your family (only read OP).

The people in the BC are trained. They KNOW when things look the tiniest bit like they won't be able to do it and will transfer you IMMEDIATELY. The same goes for your coping with pain.

I had my DD in the midwife led unit - still within the hospital, but the same as a birthing centre in that you get transferred to a different hospital for anything non-routine, or any pain relief stronger than pethidine or g&A.

Wonderful birth, very relaxed (and they asked if I wanted to be transferred for different pain relief as they felt I might need it... I didn't). Second birth was a home birth as a direct knock on that if the birthing centre was so good, a home birth would be even better.

[sasa15]

GREAT IDEA!! just go for it!!!
I didn't go because in London they were expensive......
I didn't need epidural.......just gas and air....
in case of complication they will take you to the Hospital...anyway........

Good luck...

[helenhismadwife]

Your relatives and friends are not being at all supportive, how awful of them to undermine you in this way, next time it comes up say that to them.

I think that from what you are saying it is something you, the most important person in all this, and your other half have really thought about. the fact that you are unhappy in hospitals and yet find the BC homely and comfortable is really important, if you feel uptight, anxious and stressed it does affect the way you cope with pain, its far better if you are comfortable and relaxed to start with.

If there are any problems during the labour it is not far to transfer you to the main unit, I think there is still unfortunately this perception that a first time mum should give birth in a hospital because its safer and her body has never done it (laboured etc) before, its completely untrue in fact the research would indicate that the opposite is true. Big hospitals have there place, and are certainly safer for women who have complications

Ignore all the comments do what feels best for you, its your body, your birth if the midwives at the BC felt it was not safe for you to deliver there they would tell you so.

[juliaplustwo]

I had both my dds at home, when I told my mother when what I wanted to do she freaked out completely, so in the end I didn't talk to her about it. I think she asumed I had changed my mind, so when my dh phoned to say dd had been born she was shocked to find out we were all at home doing fine. If your mw thinks its ok and it's what you want then go for it.

[mumofhelen]

Had my first at a birthing center and I was 14 days overdue! No problems, though. Give birth in the pool with only gas and air as pain relief - and no stitches afterwards. Was back home within a couple of hours. Daughter is now 2 years old and is very well. Currently pregnant with my second and hpoing to repeat first birth. Being overdue and my first, my mother and father and in-laws were not supportive at all regarding my choice of non-hospital option. But as someone has already pointed out, if the medical professionals are happy for you to give birth at a birthing centre then they should know. Incidently, when you give birth at a birthing centre, any sniff of problems/trouble/concerns, you WILL be shipped out to the nearest major hospital ASAP, so don't worry about that either. As someone already pointed out, you are SAFER at a birthing centre and the standard of care is higher in my opinion.

[Twohootsunderthemistletoe]

KRabbit - I think there is a lot to be said for the mum feeling comfortable in labour tbh. It actually can help you with coping with pain etc.

I had an OK labour with DD (was in hospital though) and would have LOVED to have had her in a birthing centre but our nearest doesn't cover our area (another county!).

TBH though I think because it's fear of the unknown I probably wouldn't have plumped for the birthing unit for a first baby (that's my opinion for ME however) but in hindsight I would have IYSWIM.

Go for it! They will ship you to your local hospital fast enough if need be.

PS - Am I right in thinking they can 'do' other pain relief i.e. pethidine (always an option if things really do get too much for you). Buy a tens machine in advance (or hire) - I loved mine although I know they are not everyone's ideal (but you don't know until you try!). A lot of people choose not to go for an epidural these days in when in hospital (myself included) due to poss complications etc - it really isn't the be all and end all of pain relief!

Good luck - v exciting!

[Harry2007]

As a fellow South Walian, I was also offered the choice to give birth at a Birth Centre - Naeth Port Talbot Birth Centre to be exact.

As it happens, I'm unable to give birth there as my asthma is so acute, it means that I'm unable to have pethidine and the amount of gas and air I have has to be limited - although I have had all of my ante natal appointments at the BC, the baby will be delivered in the Princess of Wales Hospital, Bridgend which is 45 miles away from my home - I've been told that my nearest hospital in Swansea is stretched to capacity!

I have to say that the facilities at the BC are excellent and I can't fault the quality of care - I'm sure you'll be fine in the BC.

Good Luck