Hospital births saved my babies (Hospital Births)

Member Name: AmandaB123

Product:	Hospital Births
Date:	21/10/09 (33 review reads)
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I have given birth three times, and each time has been in hospital (Nottingham City Hospital), mainly because I am too much of a wimp to give birth at home with just Gas and Air. All three of my births have ended in emergency situations so I am quite glad I made the choice I did.

I gave birth to my first son in 2001, after a long and slow 24 hour labour it was noticed that my baby was in distress as his heartbeat kept dropping, therefore I had an emergency C-section. my son arrived safely and I stayed in hospital for three days afterwards. It was found that my son was twisted round and had been 'back to back' which aparently makes labour more difficult.

My second son was born in 2007 and during my pregnancy I was looked after by a consultant who advised me to try another natural birth, I did this but yet again after a 7 hour labour my baby was in distress and so this time I was given a ventouse (a suction cup placed on the babies head to try and help them out) delivery. My baby came out on the second try and he was fit and healthy (though with a large lump on his head!) and we managed to leave the next day.

I had my daughter in 2008, and again I was advised to have a natural birth, as I had now given birth naturally, even though it was assisted. My labour was very quick and I was fully dilated when I arrived at hospital, and when it was found that my baby was in distress again I had to have another C-section, this time under general anaesthetic as there was no time to site an epidural. We stayed in for three days and then we were allowed home.

I have been really happy with all the care I have recieved, despite the fact that the births havent been how I would have wanted them. I have heard horror stories of terrible care, people left to labour alone and dirty wards, but I have not experienced any of that. I can understand why some people want to give birth at home, the comfort and familiarity of it all is a nice draw, especially if you feel you can rely on your community midwife team, but for me I dread to think how any of my births would have turned out had I been at home, especially as I live 20 minutes drive from the hospital.

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