"Wonderful environment, with staff being..."

What I liked

I gave birth to our first baby at the Birth Centre and had a wonderful experience. The midwives were wonderful - especially the night staff who were with me for the majority of the delivery. We were given an en suite double bedroom, but the bed wasn't pulled down until we had had the baby to encourage me to stay active. The double bed was great as it meant my husband could stay with me after the birth - such a big help and I couldn't have coped if he'd have to go home! The midwives were fantastic and really respected my birth plan - they wouldn't ask me to do things/have things which weren't in it. I had a water birth and having the option was great as was the midwives encouragement of such methods. The holistic approach (low lighting, encouragement to stay active etc) was fantastic and just what I needed and wanted.

What could be improved

The shower in our en-suite was far too powerful to use if you'd had stitches and the shared shower I ended up using wasn't as clean as it should have been.

Some of the staff we encountered around the time we left (but hadn't encountered before), could have been friendlier.

There really is a need for a dedicated breastfeeding support person, as everyone who showed me bf had a different method and a different opinion and our baby seemed to get annoyed by the continuing change.

Anything else?

Would highly recommend the birth centre.ApproachableBirthing poolWashroomMaternityWater birthCleanlinessDedicated