"VBAC at the North Middlesex"

We have just had our second child at the North Middlesex.

Our first child was born by emergency c section at 34 weeks and spent 2 weeks in intensive care.

We cannot thank the intensive care team enough for their care of our daughter.

For the birth of our son at the beginning of December we wanted to try a VBAC and were keen to use the birth centre rather than the labour ward and we were supported in our decision by the consultant midwife.

The consultant midwife spent time with us putting together a birth plan and liaising with the consultant to ensure that the entire team supported our decision.

The consultant midwife's involvement was key to the process because before she was involved we were not aware that we had the ability to make decisions or control over where we would give birth.

As a general observation, the antenatal department at the North Middlesex is very busy, the appointments seem to be constantly running late and it is extremely difficult to get through on the telephone lines.

On the night of the birth we were admitted to the birth centre and the midwife team were aware of our birth plan.

We were well looked after in the birth centre but due to the risks involved in our VBAC we were ultimately taken to the labour ward.

We were extremely lucky to keep the same midwife and the continuity of care was extremely important.

Unfortunately in the labour ward the communication about the birth plan broke down and we even had one member of staff asking what my name was in the middle of the birth - as a courtesy the relevant staff member could have asked the midwife or read my notes.

We also felt that the doctor was pushing us to have an epidural when we were doing well on gas and air.

However the overall birth experience was positive and we would like to thank the members of staff involved in our care from beginning to end - and we would recommend the North Middlesex maternity unit.