It's getting to that stage in pregnancy when I really need to come to terms with the fact that in a few short weeks I will have to give birth. I am excited but absolutely terrified of the prospect.
Ever since I found out I was pregnant the thought of a water birth really appealed to me and the town I live in has a newly opened birth centre which has received a lot of praise. It was a no brainer when I was asked where I would like to give birth, there was no other option. It has to be at my local birth centre.
As this is my first pregnancy I didn't really know the difference between the birth centre or the birth suite. What is a birth centre I hear you ask?
Well birth centre's are maternity units which are lead mainly by midwives. Birth centre's try to create a homely and comforting environment rather than a cold clinical one. They specialise in supporting women who want to have as much as a natural birth as possible with little or no intervention. You can still have all the usual pain relief if you feel that you need it but you cannot have an epidural. People always say why go through all the pain if you can just have an epidural? I thought that before I was pregnant. But after researching and hearing advice off midwives I would prefer not to have one if possible. There are less complications with birth and the recovery rate is so much faster. I really hope that I do not need one. Birth suites are normally buildings on their own and if medical intervention was needed you would need to be transported to a local hospital. Thankfully the birth centre I am at has the hospital just next door so if my labour didn't go to plan I would just be wheeled down a corridor. That alone is such a great comfort to have in the back of my mind.
Nick and I decided to go take a tour of the birth centre to see it for ourselves.
Well birth centre's are maternity units which are lead mainly by midwives. Birth centre's try to create a homely and comforting environment rather than a cold clinical one. They specialise in supporting women who want to have as much as a natural birth as possible with little or no intervention. You can still have all the usual pain relief if you feel that you need it but you cannot have an epidural. People always say why go through all the pain if you can just have an epidural? I thought that before I was pregnant. But after researching and hearing advice off midwives I would prefer not to have one if possible. There are less complications with birth and the recovery rate is so much faster. I really hope that I do not need one. Birth suites are normally buildings on their own and if medical intervention was needed you would need to be transported to a local hospital. Thankfully the birth centre I am at has the hospital just next door so if my labour didn't go to plan I would just be wheeled down a corridor. That alone is such a great comfort to have in the back of my mind.
Nick and I decided to go take a tour of the birth centre to see it for ourselves.
We arrived on a Sunday morning and was greeted by the midwives, we were both so nervous. They were so nice and bubbly and soon put us at ease. They walked us around the entire building whilst telling us at what stage in labour we should come in, where the entrances are, what to bring with me etc.
They took us up to the birth suite which looked pleasant enough even though it is more medically focused. When I was walking around this department I felt like I had a frog in my throat, everything seemed so much more real and a lot more frightening. I was so grateful I didn't hear any labouring mothers screaming in pain as I think that would of had me running to the hills! Considering this was supposed to be the more clinical side it still looked great but it just really isn't for me.
They then took us next door to the Birth Centre. As soon as I walked into one of the rooms I was amazed as it looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room. The lights where dimmed, the bed looked like a real bed, there was a massage chair, a sofa in the corner, a CD player, motivational quotes on the walls. An on suite bathroom with either a shower or a bath. The room even had it's own colour scheme! Everything medical was hidden away and out of sight but you still had the comfort of knowing it was there if it was needed. Not every room had a birthing pool but the majority did. You can also have as many people as you like with you when you are in labour but I think I just want it to be Nick and I. Especially when I am about to give birth to our son. I want that moment to be just for us. I instantly felt at ease and after touring a few of these rooms was actually looking forward to my labour! I know that will change when it is actually happening!
We officially have just 7 weeks to go. He could come sooner or later but we know that he will be here soon. I hope I have the birth that I want but I am just going to go with the flow, relax and try to remain calm. There's not long now. We can't wait to meet our baby.
They took us up to the birth suite which looked pleasant enough even though it is more medically focused. When I was walking around this department I felt like I had a frog in my throat, everything seemed so much more real and a lot more frightening. I was so grateful I didn't hear any labouring mothers screaming in pain as I think that would of had me running to the hills! Considering this was supposed to be the more clinical side it still looked great but it just really isn't for me.
They then took us next door to the Birth Centre. As soon as I walked into one of the rooms I was amazed as it looked more like a hotel room than a hospital room. The lights where dimmed, the bed looked like a real bed, there was a massage chair, a sofa in the corner, a CD player, motivational quotes on the walls. An on suite bathroom with either a shower or a bath. The room even had it's own colour scheme! Everything medical was hidden away and out of sight but you still had the comfort of knowing it was there if it was needed. Not every room had a birthing pool but the majority did. You can also have as many people as you like with you when you are in labour but I think I just want it to be Nick and I. Especially when I am about to give birth to our son. I want that moment to be just for us. I instantly felt at ease and after touring a few of these rooms was actually looking forward to my labour! I know that will change when it is actually happening!
We officially have just 7 weeks to go. He could come sooner or later but we know that he will be here soon. I hope I have the birth that I want but I am just going to go with the flow, relax and try to remain calm. There's not long now. We can't wait to meet our baby.
