[Tilly007]

I had an emergency c/s for my DS (only child) and would really love to deliver naturally next time.

DS was born at the Mater. Great hospital, but has an appalling VBAC success rate (4%).

What is the deal with the birth centre at RPA? Do they accept patients wanting to try VBACs? Can you have your own OB? Do they make you have continuous monitoring (I had this with DS because I was induced and hated it). Do you transfer to the ward at RPA after the birth, or do you get sent home straight away?

Obviously birthing at the Mater v RPA birth centre would be really different and I'm just trying to get an understanding of whether I should consider switching for my next baby.

Thank you!

ETA: I don't live near RPA, does this affect my eligibility to give birth there?

This post has been edited by Tilly007: 24/04/2012, 07:31 PM

[Tilly007]

Bumping this

[MelodyNelson]

Hi Tilly,

RPA will only admit you if you live in the inner west, unless you are high risk. There is a map available at www.rpawomensandbabies.com.au of the area they cover. The Birth Centre is very popular and books out quickly. I booked in at about 8 weeks with my first pregnancy. This time I'm booked into the Labour Ward.

My GP tells me that if you were high risk before (as I was as I developed pre-e in labour) then the Birth Centre will recommend the Labour Ward instead. The Labour Ward has most of the same features as the Birth Centre. You can have your own ob. I'm not sure what their procedure or success rate is on VBACs though.

[Akeyo]

I had a successful (and wonderful!) vbac at the RPA BC in Sept 2010 and can't speak highly enough of the centre and the midwives there. Policies may have changed since then but at the time, they were very supportive of vbacs and were unconcerned by my EC. I was treated just like any other labouring woman with no continuous monitoring - only intermittent monitoring with a doppler and though this was used quite frequently during the 2nd stage I barely registered it.

I was able to labour and birth in the bath just as I wished. The only other protocol they had was the use of a cannula but I had a wonderful doula who negotiated with the MW on my behalf when it came up and it was allowed to be formally declined without me having to say a word. Thank god for doulas!

After the birth, I rested in the room for a few hours then transferred to the post-natal ward for the night. I went home the next morning. You can go straight home from the BC if you prefer.

I had total midwifery care but you can have shared care with a GP or use your own OB.

The only problem may be if you are out of the catchment area. The Birth Centre is very popular and books out fast.

Good luck!

This post has been edited by missemm: 04/05/2012, 09:10 PM