Birthing centre or hospital??

[hotpinkangel]

I'm trying to decide where's best for me to give birth. This is my 3rd baby but 5th pregnancy, (2 early m/c this year). Both of my previous births were normal, no complications, 1 water birth. Here are my reasons for each one, please give your opinions!!!

Birth Centre:
More relaxed
Can have water birth
DF can stay with us longer
Home from home

Hospital:
More pain relief
Reassurance in case anything goes wrong (6 min transfer from birthing centre)
Given birth there twice before so know what to expect.

Thanks!! X

 

[hotpinkangel]

Bump?

 

[Char.due.jan]

Hi,

I'm going for the birth centre as its actually downstairs in my hospital maternity unit so it's a quick transfer if needed.. Its totally upto you but it might be a better experience for you as it's meant to be a lot more relaxed and you can have use of the birth pool etc. Xx

 

[sez]

I am choosing my local hospital (just for piece of mind as it's my first and the journey time from the birthing center is 10 mins by ambulance) however... I am requesting to be sent to the birthing center after the birth to recover as I am told the ward is much nicer and they are fantastic at helping with breastfeeding and don't rush you home like the hospital does. That's the plan anyways (which as always is subject ot change!) Is this an option for you? Then you kind of get the best for both worlds?

 

[bekki_d18]

I have the same problem. I would like birthing unit as it is more relaxed but then I think oh god what if i want an epidural I wont be able to?? If you are confident you don't want an epi than go for birth centre hun

 

[blinkybaby]

I've just decided to change from giving birth at the local hospital to the birthing centre after having a look round - it looks lovely and relaxed.x

 

[LauraBee]

My hospital is a thousand times better for me than my birthing centre, I know a girl who absolutely hated the hospital and chose the birthing centre though... Not sure why, we have a really good hospital and it's just up the road from me whereas birthing centre is a good few miles away. I think I'll feel safer being in an area I know.

Besides, I was born at the hospital

Maybe look into statistics if you're really torn? I don't think we could help you that much tbh, it's all personal preference.

 

[Greta Chick]

I have been in your situation *exactly*, though I have given birth at the birth centre before and there when it was a full maternity unit before it changed to midwives only.

I'm also on my 5th pregnancy but 3rd healthy baby and am going to the birth centre again, which is about 7 or 8 minutes away from the maternity hospital by car. I also had a waterbirth with my second child.

I had no qualms where I was going again this time, the local maternity unit stresses me out even thinking about going there, I really detest the place so unless there's a medical emergency, I'm staying put at the birth centre.

If you've had a waterbirth before you can obviously cope with labour well, so I would say if your instinct is to go with the birth centre then you'd only be 3 minutes away in an ambulance (it's half the time of going in a car).

xx

 

[hotpinkangel]

I am choosing my local hospital (just for piece of mind as it's my first and the journey time from the birthing center is 10 mins by ambulance) however... I am requesting to be sent to the birthing center after the birth to recover as I am told the ward is much nicer and they are fantastic at helping with breastfeeding and don't rush you home like the hospital does. That's the plan anyways (which as always is subject ot change!) Is this an option for you? Then you kind of get the best for both worlds?

That would be great, not sure if I can ask that though?? X

 

[Tiny]

I think as you have not had any complications with your previous births, then if I were you I would opt for the birthing centre.

 

[hotpinkangel]

Thanks ladies! I'm booked on to look around our birthing centre on 6th December so hopefully I can make a decision then! X