"Lucina Birth Centre"

I gave birth in the midwife led unit in September and was lucky enough that I was able to follow my birth plan exactly. The midwife was very friendly and supportive and included me in every decision along the way. The facilities themselves are fantastic, with pools in nearly every room. I would have used other facilities such as the I pod dock and aromatherapy but barely had time to get settled in my surroundings before my daughter arrived! That said I was still relaxed in my surroundings and the midwife ensured I was comfortable as well as making sure my mum and partner were aware of facilities available to them such as the kitchen where mum could help herself to drinks while she waited in the lovely little snug room with a sofa.

When my daughter arrived I was able to have skin to skin contact and delayed cord clamping as per my birth plan and also breast fed very quickly although there was no pressure to.

My partner was able to stay with me till morning which was great.

The only thing that I think lets Lucina down is that we were let out so quick (I had my daughter at 1am and we went home lunchtime same day) in fact we would have been sent home much sooner but had to wait for some paperwork that there was a problem with. Friends that have recently given birth in a normal labour ward have been kept in until breastfeeding is well established, so for 3 or 4 days they had constant support with feeding whereas we felt we were somewhat 'dumped in the deep end'. As a result I came close to giving up feeding altogether and had several 'meltdowns' when my daughter needed feeding and I just couldn't face the pain.

I understand it is a popular place to give birth and they therefore need to get you out quick but I think they should consider transferring to another ward in order to keep mums in longer.

Having said that, overall I would recommend Lucina as the important bit for me was to feel relaxed and empowered to give birth as naturally as possible and in this respect it surpassed my expectations.