[PatG]

Just wondering if anyone can think of reasons not to apply for a birth centre place (I'm in the RBWH catchment in Brisbane north).

I understand that the birth centre places are allocated by ballot and I'm more likely not to get a place than to get one and that you have to be low risk to be considered.

[futureself]

If it's a model of care that you identify with and believe in - midwives only, natural pain distraction methods only and discharge after 24 hours for example then no, there's no reason not to apply. It wasn't what I wanted for my first so I didn't apply

[charlottesmum04]

Having had 2 bubs at the RBWH birth centre ( and the first one in the normal birthing suites ) i cant think of a single reason not to apply for the ballot. My midwives were caring. I was in and out for my antenatal appointments often before others had even managed to get to the front of the check in queue for normal antenatal. The 2 times they were running late i had a nice comfy lounge to wait in where i could make myself a free cup of tea.


Maybe the only downside is the fact that no pain relief is offered and you can only stay 1 night after birth. Oh and you are required to have someone else stay with you for that one night as no staff stay in the centre. it also was a bit weird birthing on what looked like a hotel bed...

[Paddlepop]

No epidurals.

[KristyMum-]

not in your state but having gone through the BC for all of my term births, I can't think of a reason I wouldn't apply either

I guess if you would like to make choices outside of what the birth centre provides, that could be a good reason. If you prefer a different standard/level/approach to your care that could also be a good reason. If you felt more comfortable in a medical/hospital environment etc that could be another.

Good luck OP in your decision

[I*Love*Christmas]

I was going to apply for the birth centre at RBWH first birth but decided not to because I wasn't sure how I would handle labour and need drugs or not. I ended up just birthing in the birth suite no drugs but there was some complications with meconium in the waters so I would have been transferred there anyway. If I was to have a 3rd baby I would apply to go there for sure

[*mylittleprince*]

I've had a few friends birth through the RBWH and all of them have had great births. If you do require drugs or intervention you are moved across to the normal birth suite so I can see no reason not to apply. I applied for this pregnancy but am having twins so have excluded. Good luck and get in quick!

[bettymm]

I had my second baby at a birthing centre..an extremely popular one and had a very traumatic experience, totally unlike my first birth at a hospital. not for me.

There were a range of reasonsI am unhappy with the birth centre experience and things could have turned out differently had my midwife not done some of the things that she did..but as it happened , I ended up having to get transferred up to the hospital for an epi and vacuum extraction.. intervention that I believe would have been avoided if I had birthed in the hospital to begin with.

Never again for me..too many horrible memories.

But each to their own. I wish you a positive birthing experience and a healthy bub


This post has been edited by bettymm: 12/04/2012, 07:50 PM