Mercy Birth Centre Experiences

[FR73]

Hi all, I am planning on delivering our long awaited second baby at the Birth Centre @ Mercy Heidelberg. Our first child was born in London at a NHS hospital, and it was a clear and totally midwife led process, for which I had a named midwife who saw me right through to the month after our son was born. Although she did not deliver our son midwives I had met over the time and developed a bond with did. I am finding having a baby here a little inconsistent and disorganised, I have had a different midwife for each appointment so far. Also each time I have visited my appointments seem to change because the midwife I see says, oh it's a little early for that one, even though the previous midwife booked the appointment. I can now understand why women choose obstetrician led care. What are your experiences with the Birth Centre? Do you have any advice? Thanks for your help.

[OceanPrincess]

Hi FR73,

Its a bit of a shame to not see any responses to your post yet - I am sure lots of women have had fantastic experiences at the FBC.

My sister is due to deliver there in January and has had a great experience so far, though like you she has had a different MW each appt. Doesn't seem to have bothered her though!

I'm pg with my second now and am about to change from private with an Obstetrician to the FBC - changes to our medicare system mean that the Obs is going to become unaffordable for us.

I'll keep watching this thread and hopefully we'll see some responses...

[DoubleK]

i used the BC for DD2, i did see a different MW each visit, but i think i seen each one at least twice. and others were familiar from just being in the BC and also the refresher class, and the tour.

i cannot reccommend the mercy bircth cnetre enough! i absolutely loved it, i loved the level of care. i had the best birthing experience, and i was welcomed to stay for as long as i needed post-birth (i did go home the next day, but had it have been my 1st baby, i would have stayed longer)

i guess you could ask to see the same midwife for your appointments, depending on shifts etc, and it also depends on if they have someone in labour.. obviously the labour takes priority over the appointments. also there would be no guarantee who you had when you were in labour yourself!

[Cassius2]

DoubleK: just a quick question (and sorry for the hijack! )...if you want to stay a bit longer post birth how is it managed? do they transfer you to the main ward, or do you have an opportunity to spend an extra night at the BC?

TIA

[Persephone1]

I'm also interested to hear of other's experiences as I'm booked in there for June 2010. I've only been to the Information Session and one MW appointment...in which I felt a bit "faceless."

I'm prepared for there being a different MW each time though, and will be taking my own IMW/Doula with me - a familiar face that can make sure my wishes are respected and my birth plan followed as much as possible.

I know of one person who birthed her little (actually, he was humungous) boy at the FBC. She said that overall it was a positive experience, and she only used the Tens Machine for pain relief. She did however feel like she was "on the clock" and she was annoyed to be told that labour was progressing too slowly and that they wanted to speed it up a bit - she refused. She was also given an episiotomy which she agreed to but says she now regrets. I'm glad to see that DoubleK had a positive experience there.

Oh, and Cassius, from what I know the FBC will allow you to stay in the Centre for a few nights if you need to - they will only suggest that you move to the shared rooms upstairs if they are really full of birthing women. I understand that the average length of stay is 36 hours after the birth.

I'll bbl to check on this thread...

[Cassius2]

ok, so far i have managed to book into an information session. apparently they are compulsory before you can apply for a spot. a bit annoying as i would hate to miss out because i had to wait for this session.

had to ring very early in the morning to get someone to answer the phone...also they told me that the monday session is in the evening but then proceeded to tell me that it starts at 2.30pm....bit confusing lol! i guess i will ring at the end of the week to double check the time.

i will definitely get a doula to assist me through i think.

[Persephone1]

Cassius,

I went to the Info Session and was the first to book in for my month (June). I think you'll be fine - they take 60 bookings per month. At my Information Session I was the "least" pregnant of all the women there, at 9 weeks.

I've since had an Ob appointment at the FBC, because you have to have a check-up with the Ob so that they can give you the all-clear to stay in the FBC. It was fine, I got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler and the Ob was very nice. My next appt is at the end of the month, with the MWs.

Oh, and Cassius - I also live in Northcote, and will give birth some time in May/June. I'll always be tracking ahead of you, so let me know if you have any questions...I'll be able to give you the heads-up on the way!

Good luck,
Seph

[FR73]

Hello all

since my first post things have improved exponentially. I have had the same midwife a couple of times and she is amazing, I hope she's on when it all happens. So far I have been alot happier with the older midwives, I feel less rushed and much more supported and confident in their ability. I did have a bit of a negative experience with a third year student @ one appointment who failed to introduce herself, and the fact that she was a student until the end of the appointment when she told me that she needed to get the midwife in to double check her findings! I have no problems with students, but I want to know if they are, esp as she failed to answer a couple of questions and referred me to my GP for an answer. Thankfully the midwife who came in to "double check" was able to help me.

For those who are so inclined, as long as the birth is uncomplicated the minimum stay is 6 hours, an option I will hopefully be able to take up . Hope you are all progressing well and happily