UK people:How do you get to give birth in a maternity unit...?

Question

Do you have to go private or can you get one on the NHS?

Answer 1

go to your local g.p.and he will arrange it

Answer 2

Speak to your GP. There are NHS Birthing Centres/Midwife units - some are stand alone and some are part of the major hospital - you'd have to find out where your nearest one is.

I've chosen a midwife unit because our local one is lovely - spotlessly clean, welcoming, homely and I know all the midwives there and have had all my ante natals there as well.

I hate hospitals and our major local one is horrible, I know I wouldn't cope with my labour there and so don't want to go unless theres a problem and its absolutely necessary.

Midwife units are well equipped to deal with emergencies. If something does "go wrong" the midwives will know exactly what to do to stabilise you and the baby and get you to the major hospital ASAP.

Also I've been told that things "going wrong" usually do so fairly slowly - for first time mothers like me its usually a case of labour taking too long or the pain being too bad and they will transfer you for an epidural and labour acceleration. Cases like Prolapsed cord, cord round baby's neck etc are rare but even when they do happen, the midwife knows EXACLTY what to do and can make sure you get to the major hospital ASAP and safely. So don't let people scare you out of this decision.

Answer 3

I planned to have my third baby at the local hospital where I had my two other children. When I called the maternity unit a week before my due date to ask if the birthing pool had been fitted (after refurbishment) they said it wouldn't be available. They gave me the telephone number of a birthing centre (that I didn't know existed up to that point) and they were fantastic. I went for a visit within a day or two of calling and I gave birth to my son there a week later. They were very 'hands-off' - it was very relaxed and friendly. It was all taken care of by the NHS - all I had to do was visit and give them a few details. I chose this option because I wanted to use a birthing pool but didn't want to deliver at home. It was the perfect compromise. So... try calling your local hospital and ask them to recommend somewhere to you. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's just a natural thing over here. Run through the NHS when your a woman is going into labour she goes into hospital and straight into the maternity unit

Answer 5

Have a look on Google to find a local NHS Maternity unit. You will have to put your county in to get details close to you.

Or you could ask your GP or Midwife.

Answer 6

most use the nhs
i never can't stand nagging midwives

i opted for a home birth
and with my option had the scar tactics used one me ha ha
like for instance what if somthing goes wrong while in labour?
well 999 is a call away
and a home birth is more relaxing than a hospital
and you bond with your baby quicker

i've had both nhs hospital birth and home birth and i'll go home everytime
it took me a week to fall in love with my first baby in hospital
i fell in love with my second the moment of birth at home
and the nhs midwives treat you better at home
they don't nag

Answer 7

You can automatically get treated by the NHS,its what we pay our taxes for. You can choose to go private if you have the money to pay for it or you can have a home birth. Once you've seen your GP about it it just goes on from there.

Answer 8

u should have been given the choice from your midwife. I live in bristol and they asked me - hospital, midwife unit or home. I personally chose hospital after a long thinking period. Im scared of MRSA but even more scared of something going wrong. Midwife units do not have the same facilities as a hospital. Speak to your midwife, u shouldn't have to do it privately

Answer 9

Your General Practitioner will arrange for you to see a consultant gynaecologist on the maternity ward of your local hospital (or a hospital of your choice) they will undertake all the necessary ante and post natal care you require. And yes, it's all free of charge. (However we do have to pay at least 10% of our annual salary into the system (National Health Service) nowadays!!)

Answer 10

You have to be refered by a gp and its on the nhs although you can go private if you want to. You will have all your usual checks such as scans etc

Answer 11

Go to your doctor who will get you sorted with a midwife. Your midwife will be able to go through all alternatives with you offer useful advice and support what ever you choose to do.