Hospital birth worked so well for me! (Hospital Births)

Member Name: jenjade

Product:	Hospital Births
Date:	06/11/08 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I felt safe and well cared for. All the equiptment is there incase of an emergancy

Disadvantages: None for me.

Well I had a hospital birth and can still remember it like it was yesterday so I feel I should comment on hospital births.

When I was 20 years old, I fell pregnant. I moved in with my partner who lived less then a 5 minute walk for the local maternity unit it was a very small unit with about 10 rooms for new mums, a birthing/ labour room, a room to bath babies etc and staff room. I felt very at home in this nice small unit and there were always a few midwifes around when I went for check ups.

I do not remember being asked if I wanted a home birth but to be honest as I was young and it was my first child I would have opted for a hospital anyway incase there were any problems as the hospitals are so well equip.

I went into hospital about an hour after my waters broke and the pain was getting too much so I decided to go to the hospital and see if I could get any pain relief. Well once in the hospital I had once contraction and was taken to the labour room where my baby was delivered very quickly and very calmly. (Also within 15 minutes) I felt like the midwife was in control of the situation during delivery and I did not feel scared or worried at all it was all very calm and relaxed. (And painful)

Once my baby had arrived into the big wide world she was not breathing straight away, the midwife used a sucker to clear her mouth and airway and within seconds (felt like hours); she cried and was handed to me for a cuddle.

I stayed in the hospital for the next 5 days as I had had some stitches and was running a fever a few days after having my daughter.

The care I received in the hospital was fantastic someone checked on me and my new baby every morning and during the night if we were awake for a long time or they heard a lot of crying. One night I was so ill from the fever feeling dizzy and running a temperature that the midwife took my daughter over night just returning her for feeds so I could get a good night sleep which was amazing.

The midwife and other staff helped me learn how to change my daughter's nappy, bath her, breastfeed successful and give me a lot of help and advice over the time I was in hospital.

I felt reassured by having experienced people around me during the first few days and during the birth, I felt much more relaxed in the small hospital unit with equipment available during the birth.

If (or when) I have more children I would have them in a hospital rather than a home birth as I would feel more reassured and comfortable. However, I think this really depends on the hospital and the staff. I can fully understand why people would want home births and it is completely up to the individual but I cannot think of anything worse than the neighbours hearing me screaming in pain and the mess delivering a baby would make in my own home!

Summary: Hosptial birth worked well for me but it all depends on the hospital and staff!