Alternatives to BirthCare?

BC is good but yes they are VERY pro breastfeeding. Some MWs are good with it and will be open to formula if you need to supplement because your milk isn't coming in some are horrible and one mw made the poor woman in the bed next to me feel bad for wanting to supplement because her baby was hungry!

I didn't have an epi although at the time I hated the pain of the contractions but that was because it was all in my back but funnily enough the pushing wasn't that bad aside from certain moments  and am happy that in the long run I didn't have one. I wanted pain relief but didn't want the needle lol

I found Birthcare completely wonderful. I went the whole way through with them, used their midwives and even though I didn't get to birth there in the end (my baby was quite large - 10pd 5oz and they were worried about shoulder dystocia), I still had the midwife from Birthcare and I transfered back there straight after the birth. Because I at least began my labour there I qualified for a private room for free and my husband stayed as well for the three days.

I know everyone has a different experience but mine was fabulous. The three days after Alex's birth were really awesome - meals made for you, midwives checking on you all through the day and night and making sure you felt okay about everything and helping with the first bath etc. I can't recommend them highly enough!

I had an epidural and it was fan friggin tastic!!!! BUT, I had it when id been in labour for coming up 45 hours! I needed it as I was exhausted and had run out of steam.
I had planned a natural water birth, but got transferred to Middlemore Hospital after i had been in labour 40 odd hours.

I actually dont agree that it can hinder labour, I wasnt dilating properly and after 45 hours of labour I was stuck at 6cm, I had my epi, and was able to relax and I quickly went to 9.5cm, however, DS was getting stressed, had meconium in waters and my temp was high, plus the way his head was coming down caused a lip of cervix that wouldnt budge, so I had to have an emergency C Section in the end.

Also, birth plans, meh! They hardly ever go to "plan" so I called my a birth 'plan' "guideline", it was a list if things I would like to happen but if its didnt oh well! When it comes down to it, you do whatever works at the time!

I birthed at Auckland Hospital which was fantastic then transferred to Bithcare. I had a private room which was expensive but worth every penny! I loved it and would have stayed longer if I could have afforded it

Oooh and the food was awesome!

I birthed at Auckland Hospital and the facilities were great, had a room with a birthpool and an amazing view of Ranigtoto and the harbour. That wasn't my first choice - Birthcare was but my MW had to go away last minute and so had to go to ACH.

Yep you need to be aware that Birthcare is only for natural vaginal deliveries of full term, no complication pregnancies. Any good midwife will register you at both places for a first labour.

As for these decisions re pain relief, CS vs vaginal delivery etc, just read up on the pros and cons and keep an open mind. It's best for both mum and baby if pain relief and CS isn't needed, but in some cases it just is and that it can be completely beyond your control. And you won't know till the day.

Personally i'm very anti pain relief for myself but having experienced labour i can sure see why people want it! And my labour didn't go on too long so was manageable. Most people get an epi becuase they are bloody tired and need to have a rest before the pushing stage.

My girlfriend birthed all 4 of her children at birthcare & whenever I went to visit her they were lovely. Her first she did have at Auckland hosp then transferred.

As for birth plans IMO just find out as much information as possible and make decisions closer to the time. My first I wanted a natural water birth but got pre-eclampsia at the end of the pregnancy so needed to go to NSH & be induced, did 6 hrs natural water & unmedicated but then my contractions stopped & thus I didnt progress I needed syntocin & an epi however I insisted that i wanted to push bubs out on my own so when I was 9cm dialated she only topped me up with a 1/2 dose. I delivered him naturally.

My second was a completely different kettle of fish. one week false labour 1hour 40 minute labour, water birth & no meds no time for that :)

So every birth is different you cant predict what will happen just arm yourself with as much info as possible thus making the best decisions for yourselves. As my foster dad used to say "don't cross your bridges before you get to them"

oh I birthed at warkworth birthing centre & the staff there are fab, helpful no matter what time of the night you needed them & it was free as I used their MW ..



Edited by Phat_Cat

Mum2Mac wrote: Also, at 8 weeks preggy, how can you say she might need a c-section? Bit early to make those assumptions don't you think?

No, I really don't think it's too early to be considering whether it may be necessary. Suffice it to say that we have reason to believe that a c-section may be more appropriate for her on medical grounds. I'm not going to get into the details as they are personal.

Thanks for the feedback, it sounds like Birthcare is something of a one of a kind in auckland. the BF could be an issue, but I guess we'll have to try and tackle that in advance with the MW we use.