Water birth in the Philadelphia area?

[MrsSlocombe]

I live in Haverford township, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.  Am I right in saying that there is no water birth option in this area, other than renting the tub and having it at home?  To the best of my knowledge, the only non-hospital birth setting available around here is the Birth Center in Bryn Mawr, where I'll probably go if I don't find a water birth venue.

[amymaew]

Home, or the Wilmington Birth Center.  Last time I was there, Bryn Mawr allowed you to labor in water but not birth in water, but that may have changed.
 

Originally Posted by MrsSlocombe 

I live in Haverford township, in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.  Am I right in saying that there is no water birth option in this area, other than renting the tub and having it at home?  To the best of my knowledge, the only non-hospital birth setting available around here is the Birth Center in Bryn Mawr, where I'll probably go if I don't find a water birth venue.

[MrsSlocombe]

Yes, that was the case the last time I checked, too.  I am probably going there, but have become intrigued by the full water birth idea.  Thanks for mentioning Wilmington.  It would be funny to have the baby born in Delaware when we live in PA, but I suppose it really isn't that far.

[KM84]

 Doylestown hospital has tubs for laboring, but I'm not sure about birthing. Valley Birthplace's website indicates they allow birthing in their tubs, their website is http://www.valleybirthplace.com/

[MrsSlocombe]

Thanks, KM84!  I'll check it out.  I've just about settled on the Birth Center in Bryn Mawr at this point.

[mom2tatum]

Home, Valley Birthplace, or The Birth Center in Wilmington. I've had a few clients end up going to the latter despite being much closer to Bryn Mawr (by choice or because the BMBC gets full pretty immediately), and they've all had lovely waterbirths and very happy with the care there. It is much smaller and some feel a more personal feel than BM. And I've had a friend birth at Valley BP and love it, too. The homebirth midwives in the area are all wonderful and all offer waterbirth as an option...

[amymaew]

I always forget about Valley Birthplace - I've only attended homebirths with the midwives there and forget that they have the birth center!  They are wonderful too  :)

[mamalade]

I had a bad experience at Bryn Mawr. The Tuesday midwife is awful. PM me if you want to hear more about it. They have a good reputation (they used to be great) but my experience there was really really bad. I cannot recommend them to anyone. They transfer 30%, their c-sec rate is 12%, both I think way too high.

[Sharmin Ariturk]

Hello there. Good luck with your pregnancy. I also know the Birth Care at Bart/ Christiana, PA. I am not sure if this is too far from you. You can check out their website at birthcaremidwives. com... or search birthcare, Midwifery Birth Center & Women's Health near Lancaster, PA. Good luck!

[MrsSlocombe]

Thanks, Sharmin!  Yes, these options are a little far, but I appreciate your taking the time to add to the discussion.  I am less focused on a water birth than I was when I posted this.  Just trying to avoid perineal damage, undue stress, and unnecessary hospital transfers at the moment.