Birth centre vs hospital?

Question

I keep reading the birth stories in the main group and how much everyone is praising the epidural, i think 1 of 100 there are births without an epidural. I live in London and I’m pregnant with my 1st. My midwife said that due to the fact that it’s my first pregnancy and no history or risk I should give birth in a birth centre. I don’t know if this is the common rule but at my specific birth centre they only offer the gas for pain relief, no epidural. Should I look into other centres or is it too late to change my mind and give birth in a hospital (i’m only 21 weeks). I would love to try an all natural approach but the fact that epidural is not even an option really scares me... is the gas any good?
Thanks for your input ladies!

Answer

I gave birth twice using only gas and air. It didn’t take away the pain 100% but it did help. If I were to do it again I would do it that way, but it’s your choice hon. I would encourage you if you do want a drug free birth but are a bit nervous and feel like it’s not common (which I don’t think is the case) to read Ina may Gaskins book on child birth. It had a lot of great birth stories that helped me to feel ready myself. 
Good luck xx

Answer

I am a FTM and 37 weeks pregnant. My hospital is St. Thomas’ and I chose to give birth at home at 30 weeks, hypnobirthing in a pool. I will be transferred to St. Thomas’ if needed. 
During the antenatal classes, they explain every procedure to you. You begin at midwife led home from home unit and in case of any medications you are transferred to birth center. They plan everything pretty well so I wouldn’t be worried.

Answer

I’m using a birth centre that has no doctors on site, as long as I remain a low risk. There you have dedicated midwifes with small suites in a more comfortable feeling environment. However I know if an emergency arises due to the one on one
Care it may be spotted sooner than in the larger hospital, which I would then be taken by ambulance in. I really dislike our large hospital and that’s the reason for my choice. But it’s whatever you feel comfortable doing at the end of the day!

Answer

Do what best for you it’s not to late to change your mind as you aren’t labour. 😊 with my 1st I didn’t even make it to have active labour as he came early at 33wks by emergency c-section, but if I had the choice I still would of chosen a hospital as they have everyone on hand if need be.. can’t comment on gas and air as with both my boys I had c-sections, youngest was a planned c-section tho..

Answer

Most birthing centres will only offer Gas and air or natural pain relief as thy are normally midwife led units. Doctor/anaesthetists are usually only on delivery wards in hospital. My birth center was in hospital so it was easy to transfer between the two if needed. You can go to hospital to give birth with the plan of doing it natural but if you can’t do it the option is there for stronger pain relief. I had my daughter in a pool with only gas and air and was amazing but I still could’ve done that on the delivery ward. 
Even if you plan to go to birth center you can change your mind and go to hospital at any point without having to tell anyone. 
A birth plan is only a plan, it may not happen like that. Ask around all your local hospitals and birthing centres. (Ps don’t let midwives push you to something you don’t want to do)

Answer

I was a FTM and went to a midwife led unit attached to my local hospital. I only had gas and air and used the birthing pool. Don’t get me wrong, the gas doesn’t get rid of the pain completely at all, but it does help, as did the pool. You need to do what’s right for you, don’t feel pressured by anyone else. You have time to be able to discuss any concerns with your midwife to make the right decision x

Answer

You give Birth where ever you want and where you feel most comfortable. It’s your choice. It doesn’t mean because it’s your first Pregnancy there will be no complications during the Birth. I was in active Labor for 25 hrs which ended in an Emergency C-Section, first Baby. 
Personally I would choose the place that has the most intervention available should any problems rise, I believe a Hospital is the safest place.

Answer

Gas and air made me really sick when I had it. Though don’t be put off by that.
I have had an epidural and hospital birth. On one hand you are thankful that things like that were available but I found my hospital made me really stressed giving birth. They denied I was in labour when it was clear I was. They made me lay on a bed which made me feel caged and laying down for me was extremely painful because I had a back to back labour.
This time I want it all to go well so I can have my baby at the birthing centre and not feel that way. I want a natural second birth.

Answer

Let’s be honest about something...giving birth is soooo painful, at least in my case it was. I would’ve appreciated if someone told me instead of just talking about how lovely the experience is, etc... I used the gas and didn’t work for me. You can have an easy labor or it can last 60h like in my case. So I am not trying to scare you or anything but I wouldn’t ruled out the idea of having an epidural. Just saying 🤷🏻‍♀️ I wish you the best of luck!

Birth centre vs hospital?

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