Nepean Public Hospital, Penrith NSW.

[liz_gcmama]

Has anyone given birth at Nepean? Any hospital policies I should be aware of? Anything out-of-the-ordinary I need to bring (for example, I found at Nepean Private, air freshener (even essential oil in water or whatever) was absolutely necessary for the bathroom. Any positive/negative experiences that anyone has had?

Thanks,

Liz

[´*~·Meje·~*`]

I transfered there after starting out as a homebirth with Eli (becuase katoomba was closed at the time) I found the midwives that I had, to be very suportive of the fact that I had laboured so long at home. They did tend to be a put pushy and premiture in thier "suggestions" that he needs a clip put in and a c-section was most likely. But I held strong with the help of my private midwife who came along with us and who happened to know the hospital midwives.

Hospital policy seems very strong there, so if you know what you want, you just need hold your ground

[liz_gcmama]

So it's a good thing I've got a doula? :-D

The midwife who did the tour of the labour ward seemed good, but you never REALLY know if it's a good indication of the midwives in general.

What sort of things are they strict about?

[´*~·Meje·~*`]

Thing that are hospital policy, like being strapped to a monitor. If your not progressing "fast enough" then intervention is looked at. If your not confident that you will be able to stick up for yourself while your in labour (I couldnt when in labour with Eli but definately could with Jonas) then a Doula would be great, as they can remind you of things you spoke about and help you to focus a those decision making times.

[liz_gcmama]

You mean the thing with belts and discs? I'm refusing it this time - had it most of the time at Nep. Priv last time. I want to be more active. They can use the portable thing to measure heart rate. I've written a lot of this in my birth plan... Want to see my birth plan? Maybe I can post it up in the preg forum, but you could look to see if there are any Nep. Pub. specific things I need to put...

[Rach]

Liz,

Would the hospital have a website with its policies? It does sound good that you have a doula - and labour for as long as possible at home.

[JCF]

Why don't you check the morbidity statistics I posted a while ago? It links to every hospital in Australia. That will tell you how many women are induced, have c-secs, how many (how few!) intact perineums leave the hospital and a whole lot of other things that are essential to know before you choose to birth in any hospital.
J

[~Sam~]

Liz,
I had my last 2 babes at Nepean. I was initially booked in to the Birth Centre but it closed down a couple of weeks before and has not reopened. I had heard a few horror stories, but all in all I was pretty happy with my birth experiences. I did feel a bit pressured to be induced due to high blood pressure and preeclampsia, but I think that was more because I wasn't really aware of the consequences of what would happen if I wasn't.

The doctors I think push the intervention a bit much, but I found the midwives were really respectful of my decision to birth naturally. I infact had some comments made about how nice it was for them to actually support me in birthing, rather than it being so medical as a lot of women allow it to be. If you already have a birth plan, make sure you talk about it with your midwife, and again when you present in labour. Make sure you tell the midwife assigned to you that anyone else that is involved in your care needs to view your birth plan, particularly during changeover of shifts.

They can be a bit conscious of time labouring and (lack of) progression, but as long as you let them know you are ok, or have hubby or doula do it, they are pretty respectful. As with anywhere though, it depends who is on duty, I would totally recommend Michael, he was absolutely fantastic, disregarded 'hospital policy' of only allowing me 2 hours after having my waters broken to establish labour, instead asking me if I was ok to keep on and supporting me, and offering me ideas to help things along.

Well that was a saga wasn't it?

[liz_gcmama]

I've posted my birth plan (well, the labouring and immediately after the birth bit) in the preg. forum...

http://forums.naturalparenting.com.a...0084#post70084

I've had three different midwives for my three visits so far, but this one should stay the same for the rest of my pregnancy. I was planning to bring the birth plan to the next visit...

JCF, where would I find the link to morbididy stats etc?

Liz

[~Sam~]

You would need to take your own birthing ball