Hi Girls

I am interested in the Canberra Midwifery Program.

Just a few questions for those who have been there:

- Is it basically NO pain relief?
- Can you do it if you have had a C/section previously?

I had a emerg. c/sect with my boys and am planning on a VBAC but am not sure if i should go through Calvary instead just because i have been there before. I just love the idea of the Midwifes since they are the ones that are with you for 99% of the time anyway!

Thanks,
Rach :-)

Rach (26) & BJ (35)

[img]http://www.tickercentral.com/view/3yfl/3[/img]

I went with the CMP for my last bub, even though I had an emergency c-section previously. I wanted to have a VBAC but unfortunately ended up having another c-section (this time with epidural). But they were absolutely fantastic anyway. The before and after care was excellent, unlike my first pregnancy.
If you can get in, I'd feinately recommend it. If you want any more info, feel free to PM me.
HTH
Mel

Me: 31
DP: 33
DS Samuel 5/3/96
DS Oliver 14/10/03

1. You can have gas and/or a shot of pethidine in the birth centre. If you want/need an epidural or any IV treatment you will be transferred up to delivery suite but with your CMP midwife.

2. Yes they will do VBAC but you won't be able to labour in the birth centre, you have to be in delivery suite. Some of the rooms in delivery suite are pretty much like the birth centre, the main difference being that you have to move to postnatal after the birth.


Steph
DD Alex (March 04)

Thanks girls

I think i will ring them and have a chat. That idea of the Midwifery program sounds great to me.

THanks,
Rach :-)

Rach (26) & BJ (35)

[img]http://www.tickercentral.com/view/3yfl/3[/img]

Just wanted to back up what's been said already.
I had my son through the CMP and it was a great experience.
I ended up using gas and air, but I knew that all of the usual options were open to me and a friend who had her son around the same time did have to go upstairs for a Caesarean.

Ring today and book in!!!! even if you dont end up going with them. The program is very very popular and books out super fast.
I had E and B with them and cant rave enough about them.
E was an emergency c/s but the before and after care was fabulous.
B was a successful VBAC as Steph said i laboured upstairs because that is their 'policy' but i refused a couple of other things that are 'policy'.
They will tell you out right that just because its written down you can still refuse.
They are very into informed decisions and women having the power and will fight the Drs for you if need be.
Let me know if you want any other info.

Carol 34 DH Milton 41
DD Taylor 6/9/93
DS Ethan 30/6/02
DD Brielle 31/12/04 Mosaic Down Syndrome <ahref="http://www.snugglepie.com"><img border="0" src="http://www.snugglepie.com/ezb/122702.png"></a>

OK - i will ring and book in today.. thanks!!

Rach (26) & BJ (35)

[img]http://www.tickercentral.com/view/3yfl/3[/img]

Yes, absolutely! BOOK IN TODAY. If you need more time to decide, you can always change your mind later and pull out. I tried booking in at 4 weeks pregnant and was on a waiting list until 13 weeks when a place came available. The environment is fantastic, and although you usually have to either transfer to the wards upstairs if you want to stay longer than one night, they will let you stay on if they aren't busy.
The midwives are supportive and will go into bat for you with the doctors if you need help asking for what you want.

I also went through CMP after a c/s with my first. As the others said, you can't use the birth centre itself (and I really fought hard on this one, to no avail), but there is the advantage that the bath in delivery is BIG - much bigger than in the birth centre. If you learn how to work the system, you can have a pretty intervention-free experience, as I did until about 28 hours into a posterior birth where baby just wasn't budging (ended up with another c/s). Things like (if you want to use the bath) ringing and asking your midwife to start filling it before you head in (it takes ages to fill), and getting into it, or the shower if the bath isn't ready, if you don't want to be immediately hooked up for constant monitoring. I spent most of my pregnancy repeating to myself "I can say no - they're not going to put me onto the street in labour". Make sure you have a good support person/team - I engaged an independent midwife who fended off the hospital staff as long as I needed her to, and was fantastic in helping with the epidural for the c/s when the anaesthetist had just about given up trying to get it in my back.

I would definitely go with the CMP option rather than the private OB/hospital I had for #1 - it was a much more positive experience, even though I ended with emergency c/s in both cases.

I agree with saying no if you want to. Next time (if there is a next time) I will be threatening to go have my baby in the carpark if they come anywhere near me with a CTG machine!

During my (posterior) labour with Alex the time I was being monitored was super painful! I wouldn't have minded so much if it was essential (eg I had an epidural and couldn't feel anything), but basically it didn't tell the hospital staff anything that the m/w couldn't have done with a doppler and some observation - all it did was free her up to go and write notes instead of actually midwifing! This particular midwife was new to CMP, our DD was her first birth centre birth and she has since moved on. Don't get me wrong, she was a nice lady but just didn't compare to the other longer term m/ws at CMP.

Steph
DD Alex (March 04)

I went through the program with both Quinn and Zoe and just loved EVERYTHING about it. The only problems/complaints I had where with other areas of the hospital and where nothing to do with the CMP and for what its worth they agreed with me on them and did their best to back me up and support me.

I did have to birth Zoe upstairs even though there where no problems/worries. It was because they already had 2 other women up there (going through the CMP program) and the midwives like to kinda keep you all in the same area so that they can help each other out iykwim.

This didn't faze me in the least though as I still had my own midwife the whole time. I had two others who also kept coming in and helping out and towards the end I had all 3 in there with me.

I LOVE the birth center and think it is FANTASTIC but appreciate it is not for everyone. Yep definatly phone them and get your name down and have a chat. Then if you decide its not for you then pull out. No biggy

Hope this helps
cheers
Alexandra

Hi there RachieD

I went through CMP (first time mum - my son was born early Sept) and the midwives were fantastic. I called them the day I found out I was pregnant and was put on a waiting list for about 6 weeks.

The support/service provided is wonderful, you're assigned a team of 3 midwives and they're available to answer any of your concerns night or day (you're provided with their mobile number). The midwives will come out to your home or work for a check up.

Unfortunately my son was 10 days over due and I had to be induced - all this had to take place in the Canb. Hosp. delivery suite, however my CMP midwife followed me everywhere I went - including the surgery room after an emergency c-section.

If I were to have a VBAC I'd go through CMP again, it's a pity you can't go on the programme if you have an elective c-section (even though it was suggested by the OB).

If I didn't go through CMP I was going to go private but after the excellent support/service received by the midwives at Canb. Hosp. I'll be very happy to go there again.

Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Apologies! Now I will answer your questions!

About pain relief....no medical pain relief was offered to me within the first 8 hours, and I didn't;t think to ask for any, I'm sure if I did I would have received support from the CMP midwife. Instead I spent about 3 hours on all fours in the shower - THIS I RECOMMEND!! After 8 hours I received an epidural, I can't remember if I asked or the midwife offered - but it was no problem at all. I'm not sure why gas or pethidine wasn't offered, maybe because I didn't ask?

Before being discharged from the program my midwife said I should consider a VBAC in future and am welcome back to the program.

Thanks girls!

I just rang and I got in - apparently they are not too busy yet for June, which is great. I will no doubt be asking loads of questions as it gets closer and as i think of them.

:-)

Rach (26) & BJ (35)

[img]http://www.tickercentral.com/view/3yfl/3[/img]

Another CMP question, I booked in as soon as we found out at 4weeks and got in thankfully. Am glad to hear about the pain relief options are available.

Are you able to stay at TCH longer, if you have the baby at CMP but want to stay more than the night?

Also - can anyone tell me how much it all cost in the end?? This is one thing that eludes me.



ME 30
DH 28
EDD #1 25/04/06
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://bd.lilypie.com/s9t2p10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>

angekins - from what i've heard is that since you are a public patient it will cost you nothing. can someone who has been there please confirm this..

thanks :-)

Rach (27) & BJ (35)

Hi Angekins,

Yep you're admitted to the Birth Centre as a public patient so it will cost you nothing.

If you need/want to stay longer you can be transferred upstairs to Postnatal (still as a public patient). You may end up in a shared room however TCH only has two bed wards (not four like Calvary).

FYI I arrived at hospital at midnight on a Wed, had DD in the wee hours of Thurs morning and stayed in the Birth Centre until late Friday afternoon.

Steph
DD Alex (March 04)

Thanks Steph and Rach - all these things we don't know and then feel like an idiot asking ;p but if you don't ask you don't know - right!



ME 30
DH 28
EDD #1 25/04/06
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://bd.lilypie.com/s9t2p10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>

angekins - don't worry i have asked that many questions as i had no idea if it cost anythign either.. it is a different world isn't it!!

Rach (27) & BJ (35)

Hi RachieD and angekins,

I had my #2 with the CMP and would highly recommend it - they are wonderful. I booked in when I was 12wks and didn't get in until I was 32wks!!! (very busy month and it wasn't until someone opted out that I got in!). They truely were fantastic though, despite being a little nervous having met 3 of my midwifes on the team only once prior to the birth (I met with one twice!).

In regard to your questions about staying in longer - Yes, you are able to stay in TCH longer if you feel the need, post birth. You have to 'move out' of the birthing centre rooms in around 24hrs, but you can then move into the usual postnatal ward, until you feel confident enough to go home.

Secondly - 'in the end' it all costs nothing.

Nothing but good news here.

All the best.

Thanks oholweg it so helps to find out all these tidbits. As RachieD said, we have no idea about these things unless we ask ;p and thank goodness we have such wonderful people to ask.

And I am happy to know you can stay on longer if need be - I am in two minds, but am happy to know should I need to stay on that I can.

Where would we be without EB


ME 30
DH 28
EDD #1 25/04/06
<a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://bd.lilypie.com/s9t2p10" alt="Lilypie Baby Ticker" border="0" /></a>

Angekins, my total expenses for my pregnancy and labour were $180 for 2 ultrasounds - 12 and 20 weeks.

I gave birth early Thursday morning and stayed until just before lunchtime on the Friday and was asked if I wanted to stay longer. I didn't feel rushed inot leaving.