Ringing the birth centre
Knowing how to get there and where to park
When you arrive at the birth centre
NOTE: While we do not advise going to the birth centre for admission during prelabour (although check-ups may be required), we do realise that some women will arrive there during this stage of their labour. The following information is not meant to imply that prelabour is the time to go to the birth centre, but merely to give you some insight into what might happen if you do go and the level of attention you are likely to receive until you are in established labour.
Birth centres are usually staffed by midwives and are set up to deal with labours and births that are progressing normally. If you are booked into a birth centre and complications arise, you may be transferred to the delivery suite in the hospital. For example, if the midwife notices that your waters are heavily
meconium stained when you arrive at the birth centre she may advise that you go straight to the delivery suite in the hospital.
There are many variations in birth centre admission procedures, depending on the individual birth centre. This information is a guide only and indicates an overview of what is likely to happen. Always ask the birth centre midwives for their routine admission procedures so you are clear on what to expect.
Ringing the birth centre
ALWAYS phone the birth centre before leaving home so the midwife can plan optimum use of the birthing rooms and organise for a room to be available. Occasionally all the rooms are full and you may need to go to the Delivery Suite. For some women knowing this is possible is enough to put them out of prelabour for a few hours!
Birth centre midwives tend to do a check-up during prelabour and then send you home again if the labour is not established (as disheartening as this can be). By phoning first the midwife can ask you questions and listen to the contraction sounds over the phone.