Anyone considering a birth center? - Page 2

[ZZsMama]

Originally Posted by zejh

I always wanted to go to a birth center, but unfortunately, the closest one is across the driveway from a hospital I've had some unpleasant experiences with, particularly the obgyn department, so I don't think I'd be relaxed enough to enjoy the experience there, especially since I've heard they're fairly strict in who gets transferred...

Most likely I'll go for a hospital midwife practice at a different hospital, or I might even convince dh to try for a homebirth, we'll see...

I'm from boston-ish too - maybe not the same ish. I was really excited about the idea of a birth center with my first, but when we went to check out the information night at the one we were considering, we didn't get a good feeling about it. We ended up at a midwife practice that used to have a birth center but closed it for insurance cost reasons. They deliver at Newton-Wellesley now. They were great! It didn't feel quite like home, but if you have good support, know what you're allowed to refuse and what your choices are, its possible to make a hospital birth a very comfortable experience.
My only (ok maybe not only, but the only one I can think of right now) complaint is that water birth is against the rules. (I'm hoping maybe this time things will happen so quickly I won't have time to get out of the tub)

[pleasantlyfurious]

Originally Posted by CookAMH

Hey cool! We are not scheduled for the tour until the 6th. Our first appt is Oct 16. You?

I''d be interested in what you learn about natural births at Magee. Have you learned much yet as far as them pushing interventions?

Our first appt at the midwife center is oct 15th with Kathy.

As far as Magee, I've heard that the midwives are fantastic and are great at making sure your birthplan is followed. My biggest hesitation is that whenever I call Magee I'm on hold for 15-20 mins and bounced around between departments. Maybe one I have a midwife that will get better, but whenever I call the midwife center a person answers.

If you go to the PA tribe boards there are a lot of reviews of both the center and the midwives at magee. That's where I started.

My other concern is that neither do waterbirths. I really had my heart set on a waterbirth, but am not sure about a home birth at this point. I was really hoping the center would do a waterbirth.

[CookAMH]

Originally Posted by pleasantlyfurious

If you go to the PA tribe boards there are a lot of reviews of both the center and the midwives at magee. That's where I started.

Thanks - I did that just now and only found your post on it (which had helpful info). Is there more?

[pleasantlyfurious]

CookAHM - yes, if you search for "Magee" they come up. Good luck!

[momtoNatalee]

We are thinking we'd like a birth center birth, the nearest ones are both 1.5 hours away, but I don't think that should be a problem?

here is the link http://www.birthcenterofgainesville.org/

I want to come back and check the links you all posted your birth centers

[roses25]

I'm using a birth center. The closest birth center is 3 hours away, but I am determined to make it there. The birth center has said that they've had people come from my location and make it there on-time. The furthest people have come has been 4 hours. I'm not a hospital person at all and love the birth center, so I am more than willing to travel.

Carolyn

[catilina]

I am planning to use a birth center this time. I didn't like my hospital birth the first time, and my husband is so conventional (medically) that he is terrified of a homebirth, so I am hoping this will be a good compromise. The only one around here is about 45 minutes away, but that shouldn't be a problem unless I go into labor during the morning commute... lol

We plan to tour the birth center soon, and hope we click with the midwives there. Otherwise we will be touring a hospital (different than the one we delivered at last time) and hoping for the best there with my current midwife (whom I love).

We'll see!