birth center wilmington, delaware

[preciousstone]

Anyone use this birth center. what was your experience like? I live in philly and am considering them as an alternative to bryn mawr birth center - mostly bc with Bryn Mawr you dont see the same midwife throughout your care. Is it like that at Wilmington? I want a situation where I am working with the same person throughought prenatal care and l&d.

Do they also do a home visit after the birth like bryn mawr?

My only draw back is the distance - about 45 mins drive. But if I can have a birth center birth and a personal midwife relationship I think it would be worth it.

thanks

[Climbergirl]

I can't speak for the center, but i would check to see what hospital they transport to if you need it. My sister had a horrible experience at Christiana and that is in that area. I was actually escorted out by security for making the horrible mistake of helping my sister pack 30 minutes before visiting hours. The nurse turned me in.

I know that hospital accepts transports from a birth center. My sister roomed with a girl that was transported in from a center and she did not seem to have a good time of it either. And all the rooms were semiprivate and my sister said the nurses were mean to her for asking help to get her son out of the bassinet to eat. My BIL was not allowed there except for 8 hours out of the day.

Just something to keep in mind.

[womancaredoula]

re: Wilmington birth center

One friend of mine doesn't like to patronize that birth center because they do circumcisions or at least used to when she told me that a few years ago. I don't know anything else about them.

I haven't heard of a birth center situation where you can control who you get during labor so they usually recommend you see all of their midwives in turn during your pregnancy and so get familiar with all of them. They usually have a rotating on-call system and that determines who you get during labor. In fact if one shift ends during your labor you will probably get a different midwife.

I recommend a doula for all births and a particularly strong doula for births occuring outside of the home. You need someone well versed in diagnosing and treating malpresentations as well as experienced in helping you advocate for getting the type of birth you want. I prefer doulas who are not directly recommended by (and so dependent on referrals from and less likely to rock the boat) the birth center or OB (if you were using one) so that you. It is also a good idea to ask the birth center how they handle things if you go post-41 weeks or if your water breaks before labor starts. If they can't let you go post-dates and you aren't comfortable with having to induce then make sure you have a back up plan in place.

-Barbara

[amymaew]

The Birth Center in Wilmington transports to Christiana. Dr. Cooksey is their backup. hth

[AustinAmber]

I absolutely love The Birth Center in Wilmington. I had my first DS there in April 2007 and am due to have my second this May. There are 5 midwives there and you don't see the same one all the time. They make of point of scheduling your prenatal appointments with all of them so that when you go into labor you will know whomever is on call that day. They do a home visit on the third day after the birth. I would drive the 45 mins. there for sure, but it seems like maybe it's not your thing since you want to be with the same midwife the whole time. They transfer to Christiana which has upgraded their rooms in the past 2 years so that all the LDR rooms are private. It's much better than it used to be, so I hear from others. Dr. Cooksey was actually trained to be a midwife before he became a DO. I like him, but he is a doctor still. Also, if you do need to be transferred your midwife will go with you. I'm not 100% sure about the circumcisions since it wasn't an issue for me. But I think that's something your pediatrician would do? They definitely don't do them routinely. When my son was born I felt 100% in control of the entire thing, never felt pressured. Not only was it easy to decline they eye goop and vit K but they were happy that I did, just had to sign a waiver. They also just remodeled to include a water birthing suite which is the first and only in Delaware. If you want to know more specifics feel free to pm me. I spend a lot of time there teaching classes and just visiting, besides my normal appointments.

[momtoalex]

I love the Birth Center. I had my son there in December of 2006 and will definitely go back there for more babies. I transferred to the Birth Center when I was 28 weeks because I could not stand the idea of giving birth at a hospital. I drove to the Birth Center for 2 hours in each direction. Not a day goes by that I am not thankful for my decision to do that transfer and that drive. When I was there, I saw 3 midwives on a regular basis. They want you to get to know all midwives so that you feel comfortable with all of them. My son's birth was an incredible empowering experience. The midwives were great. I felt like I could really trust the midwives there. They supported me throughout the labor and I felt like I was in total control. I happened to have 2 midwives during my labor because one of the midwives was in training. My husband caught my son - the midwives asked him if he wanted to do that. We did not do the drops, circumcision or anything else. A nurse did come to visit us at home even though we do live more than 100 miles away from the Birth Center. I tell everyone about the Birth Center and encourage people to go there. I have a very special connection to that place and hope that other women can have the same.

[kpb]

it is utterly, utterly worth it....we had our first there in feb 2006, and from what i understand it has only gotten better....the cool thing about those chicks is that you do indeed have a personal relationship with each one of the midwives--they see to that. they know everyone by first name...and i'm surprised to this day that when i go in once a year for my annual pap, they still greet me like i was there yesterday.....

to see for yourself, of course, make the trip down once and see how it suits you...you can merely say no if you're not into it.

best of luck!
kyara

[QueeTheBean]

I have been going to TBC for well-woman care for about 15 years and used the midwives for both of my births (1st was born at St. Francis Hosp, 2nd at TBC). I have nothing but good to say about them. I actually look forward to getting my pap smears just so I can go back there. :

Good luck with your decision.

[preciousstone]

Thank you ladies!!!! Sounds like I have to check it out. I was worried about the distance but I like that the practice is small. I think I could get to know 5 midwives over 9 mths.. that's not so bad. My impression is that Bryn Mawr is a much larger practice.. but i could be wrong.

Do you guys know what Wilmington's transfer rate is?

Thanks.

[awakndmama]

Am I happy to read these posts! I have a visit at TBC in 2 weeks. I really want to have a water birth and am so excited to meet the midwives. I live 2.5 hours away so that is weighing on my mind. It's my first baby and I am nervous about the distance, but from what I read and hear its totally worth it. I am also visiting 2 places in reading but I have a strong feeling TBC is going to be what I need.
Enjoy your dayz!
I'll keep you posted!

[JenMidwife]

not sure where y'all are located, but if you're anywhere near Lancaster County, PA you might also want to consider the Birth Care birth center
http://www.birthcaremidwives.com/

[bezark]

I'm jumping in late here, but I just wanted to spread some more Birth Center love. :

I'm due in 12 days (WOOHOO!) and I'm planning a water birth. I transferred there at 28 weeks from a privately practicing CNM in New Jersey, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Like others have said, you don't exactly get to choose who attends your birth, but I promise you'll love each and every one of the midwives (by the way, only 4 of the 5 actually do births. You may never meet the 5th because you don't really need to. She's mostly there for well-woman visits). I definitely have my favorites, but I would be comfortable with any of them for the big day.

They work with Christiana, and your care would be transferred there if needed, but in a true emergency, you'd go the half block to St. Francis.
I think I remember being told that their overall transfer rate is 10 or 11%, and that most of those cases weren't super scary emergencies, just things like a stubborn placenta that didn't want to follow the baby to the light.
None of the midwives perform circumcisions, and none of them are even particularly crazy about the idea of them to my knowledge, but they can arrange an appointment with their pedi for you if you really want.

[preciousstone]

Originally Posted by bezark

I'm jumping in late here, but I just wanted to spread some more Birth Center love. :

I'm due in 12 days (WOOHOO!) and I'm planning a water birth. I transferred there at 28 weeks from a privately practicing CNM in New Jersey, and I couldn't be happier with my decision. Like others have said, you don't exactly get to choose who attends your birth, but I promise you'll love each and every one of the midwives (by the way, only 4 of the 5 actually do births. You may never meet the 5th because you don't really need to. She's mostly there for well-woman visits). I definitely have my favorites, but I would be comfortable with any of them for the big day.

They work with Christiana, and your care would be transferred there if needed, but in a true emergency, you'd go the half block to St. Francis.
I think I remember being told that their overall transfer rate is 10 or 11%, and that most of those cases weren't super scary emergencies, just things like a stubborn placenta that didn't want to follow the baby to the light.
None of the midwives perform circumcisions, and none of them are even particularly crazy about the idea of them to my knowledge, but they can arrange an appointment with their pedi for you if you really want.

THANKS!!!!! I didn't consider the waterbirth option. I don't think you can do that at Bryn Mawr. HAPPY DELIVERY!!!!!

[cmoma]

I'll be delivering my third at The Birth Center in about 8 weeks!!: planning on a fabulous waterbirth too!

The midwives are all fantastic they truly have become like family to us.

Just wanted to continue spreading some love for The Birth Center!!

[lovelylisa]

I know it has been sometime since this original thread but I have only been there for one visit so far and I adore them! Has anyone else had any experiences they would share?

[levans04]

Hi lovelylisa - yours is the most recent post, and it looks like no one replied...I was wondering how your experience turned out with TBC?  Did you stay with them and deliver there?  Thanks in advance for sharing your experience!

[lovelylisa]

I loved my prenatal appointments there. I did not give birth there... I ended up having an emergency csection a month early. I'd recommened them, although to be honest  I haven't heard anything from them since my surgery. (its been 3 weeks) So I suppose if you birth there and all goes well it's ok. But in my experience, if you don't give birth there you kind of end up feeling kind of alone.

PM me if you have any questions :)

[tracylee]

I delivered at TBC in May and would be happy to share my experience with you if you are still interested. Overall it was great and the midwives are as awesome as everyone has said. Send me a note if you want details or have questions. Best of luck!

[AaronsMommy]

I have lots of friends that have had wonderful experiences at TBC.  I went there for the first 32 weeks of my pregnancy, decided it wasn't the place for me and then transferred to a homebirth midwife.  You are welcome to e-mail me if you would like more details on why I left.  

[Leucadia]

Another cheers for the Birth Center, even though I couldn't have my baby there! I went there for almost all my prenatal care and went into labor there with my son in April 2009. The midwives were wonderful, helpful, and did everything they could. Ultimately my son was badly positioned; I was in agony and not progressing, and 36 hours past water breaking. Katie Manzur, my midwife, went with me to Christiana (20 mins away) and stayed right by my side though my eventual C-section. Although it was not the outcome I hoped for, I was so happy that she was there to support me, and helped ressure me that this was necessary. I had a healthy boy. I wish I could have my second there, but unfortunately they can't do VBACs for insurance reasons. I know half a dozen moms that have had healthy babies there and I heartily recommend them -- both because it's a great place for a normal pregnancy, and because they won't hesitate to take you to a different facility if that's what you need!

(also: laboring at Christiana, with an epidural but where they wouldn't let me have any water to drink, had me all strapped up to monitors, etc, was more difficult in some ways than laboring drugfree at TBC! But maybe that's because I was kind of high-risk by the time I arrived at Christiana.)