"birth centre"

We booked into the birth Centre for the birth of my third child. Both my sons were also born at the Whittington (my eldest in the Labour Ward, because the Birth Centre hadn't been built yet). It is no longer my closest hospital, but I was so happy and confident in the care I had had in the past I wanted to return. When I called the hospital to say I would be coming in as contractions started in earnest, I was worried to hear that labour ward was 'full' and because all the midwives were all needed there, that the birth Centre was closed. Very busy night! However, as soon as I turned up (7cm dilated) I was seen instantly by a team of three (midwife, healthcare assistant, and senior midwife. My partner had requested that I be able to use a birthing pool (I had used them both times previously in labour Ward and in the birth Centre), but we weren't optimistic. I was examined immediately in a labour Ward room, and the decision was taken within minutes to open the birth Centre for me! As I moved downstairs in the lift (one floor) a student midwife was sent ahead to get the pool ready. From then on I had the same team of three- midwife, assistant and student. They were absolutely fantastic-calm, supportive, offering choices in a clear and positive way. When my daughter was born, they were trained to carry out all the initial checks on her, and stitches etc on me, without needing to call in a doctor. The way the birth Centre is set up and staffed, it meant that even on a really busy night, they were able to allow me and my partner to stay in the room I gave birth in, and sleep, clean up and get to know our new baby (big double bed, en suite shower, cups of tea, and even breakfast). I can't thank them enough, (again) and would recommend the department to anyone.