"Second Baby"

In 2015 I had a supported, attentive and wonderful pool birth at the birth centre which I cannot fault. From start to finish I was very well cared for and was able to have my very large baby completely naturally with no tearing at all.

Unfortunately, this time round has been a different experience. I experienced reduced movements at 30 weeks, along with lots of itching on my skin so decided to go into the MAU for a check up. I arrived at around 2pm, was monitored for an hour or so and then asked to stay to have a doctor speak to me before being discharged. Unfortunately I wasn't seen by a doctor until 9pm that evening, so around an approx 5.5/6 hour wait for further information.

Of course, babies being delivered upstairs in the birth centre are the absolute priority for the doctors and I was very understanding of this. However I have to echo some of the other reviews in that the unit should have a dedicated doctor so that patients can be given decisions quickly and sent home, therefore not 'clogging up' the system. Also with regards to confidential conversations, the waiting/assessment area is right next to the desks where the midwife's sit. I heard quite a lot of confidential information being discussed (including my own!) which I thought was unprofessional. The ideal would be to have a small office they can go into to have these discussions, and then a small area within the room to have a presence with the patients.

It wasn't just myself that had a long wait, and I watched 3 couples discharge themselves and have to sign forms to say that "should anything happen to their baby then that was their responsibility". I wasn't willing to do this and preferred to wait for an answer but I can understand their frustrations.

I must say, the care I did receive from the midwifes when I first arrived was outstanding and I feel that they are all just doing the best they can within the resources they have. Anyone who has any knowledge of NHS midwifery care within the UK will know this isn't a surprise and it seems all services are being stripped back in every area.

On reflection of my experience, and also my want for another guaranteed pool birth, I have decided to have my second baby at St Mary's Health Centre. It is quite a distance for me, but I feel that this is the only option if I want to have a say in the birth that I choose. If I decided to go to the LRI again I fear I would be victim to whatever workloads were on that day/evening and may not receive the care I would hope for, especially anticipating my second baby will be just as big as my first baby.

Birth Centres & more home birth options are absolutely the way forward for midwifery care in the UK and I feel sad for the NHS trusts that they are not able to make this happen.