"Midwife led Birth Centre (not labour ward)"

Anything else?

I recently gave birth to my second son at St Mary's Birth Centre. My first son was born in a birthing pool as part of the labour ward at another hospital and was a mixed experience. The staff and facilities at the Birth Centre exceeded my expectations despite coming highly recommended by two close friends who each had both their children there. Unlike my experience on the main labour wards in two hospital the birthing experience was one that involved total respect and listening to the mother and a very personalised experience. I do not doubt that had I given birth elsewhere I would not have had the relatively controlled, rapid natural delivery that I did have mainly thanks to the empathetic and logical approach of the midwives. The maternity experience in hospitals leaves much to be desired and can be brutal in its lack of empathy in my opinion. The facilities at the Birth Centre are amazing - it is like giving birth in a hotel room/spa and after delivery the care is very personal and you stay in a private en suite room with plenty of space and a double bed (no different from a decent hotel). I personally cannot believe that my GP did not seem particularly aware how fantastic the resource is and did not make any move to recommend the facility especially given that my first pregnancy and labour were uncomplicated. There seems to be a lack of awareness of what a hidden gem St Mary's Birth Centre is amongst the first line medics and therefore a lack of information filtering through to expectant mothers which I feel sadly results in many women missing out on an amazing place. All doctors/ medical students in the area should visit so they can truly see the contrast with labour wards. I wouldn't hesitate to return and cannot recommend it highly enough. Thank you so much to the team. What a truly caring place and a privilege to experience it.