"Very disappointing experience."

We didn't have a good experience at the Barkantine Birth Centre, our baby was at serious risk and we had an emergency transfer to Royal London Hospital where my baby was delivered. Thankfully she is very well now. Our case has been referred to the HSIB (Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch) who are carrying out an investigation.

I am told our case is uncommon, however, I wish I knew then what I know now, as I would not have gone there for the birth of my baby. That's the reason for my review, to help others make an informed decision.

I chose to go to the Barkantine Birth Centre for the following reasons:

1. During the Active Birth Workshop I was reassured, by a Barkantine Midwife, that during labour there would be experienced midwives helping/supporting me throughout.

ACTUAL: the two midwives that were there most of the time were not trained in Active Birth. My husband and I felt let down and we were left on our own to figure out what to do. I kept asking for help and that I felt stuck. The only thing the midwife would say 'you are doing great, listen to your body' - my body was saying I needed help, they didn't offer any of the support I had been told I'd receive. However, they did advise me on how to breathe the gas and air correctly for it to be more effective. Later I found out that only 8 of the 14 midwives are trained and experienced in Active Birth.

2. Ambulance transfer - during the tour of the birth centre we were told the transfers were 18 minutes to Royal London Hospital and that they worked closely with ambulances.

ACTUAL: when meconium was found, they called an ambulance for an emergency transfer, it took more than 1 hour from when the ambulance was called to arriving at the labour ward in Royal London - where the delivery room wasn't ready.

The ambulance staff and Barkantine midwife did not know which lift to take to the labour ward.

3. At my booking appointment, I told the midwife I was not keen on VE. She reassured me that they had the experience to find out the information without doing a VE.

ACTUAL: The midwife looking after me didn't have that experience. She said she couldn't provide any midwife support until she assessed with a VE, but we could 'use the facilities'. My husband and I were left 4 hours on our own, with TENS machine to cope, until I gave in to VE, I was 6cm dilated by then.

4. During the tour (before labour) we were shown a spacious room (room 1) including a birthing pool. We were told we could bring items from home to make it homey and they would/could provide aromatherapy.

ACTUAL: when we arrived, we were placed in the smallest room (room 4) they have which was very cramped although 3 other rooms were empty. We did not have space to put the items we brought with us to help us. I asked for aromatherapy twice and it never materialised.

The limited floor space was wet from me getting in and out of the pool which was dangerous and uncomfortable.