Ipswich General Hospital

[Kirley64]

Hi Everyone
I'm just doing my research atm to calm my nerves about labour. This is my first baby and i have a pretty low pain threshold so the thought of labour is scaring me somewhat. I do however love my hot showers and baths and the idea of a waterbirth is very appealing to me. Does anyone know if Ipswich hospital (public) offers the option of waterbirth or just during your labour and not the actual birth. I can't seem to find any info on the hospital website and didn't think of it at my appointment last week to ask.

[westy]

HI Kirley,

Firstly congrats on your pregnancy, i hope everything is going well.

Sorry i cant help with your question about Ipswich but i will be very interested to hear any replies as this may well be where i will be birthing my baby if i can't get into the Mater.

Goodluck with it all.

[Kirley64]

Must be no one who lives in the Ipswich area

[Artechim]

I had DS at Ipswich hospital. They allow you to go into the bath/shower during labour. There is a little leaflet informing you of the dangers should you actually give birth in the bath to cover them in case something goes wrong. It is up to the midwife on duty at the time whether they get you out of the bath or leave you in there as officially the hospital doesn't offer waterbirths but some of the midwifes will support it.

[Kirley64]

Originally Posted by westy

HI Kirley,

Firstly congrats on your pregnancy, i hope everything is going well.

Sorry i cant help with your question about Ipswich but i will be very interested to hear any replies as this may well be where i will be birthing my baby if i can't get into the Mater.

Goodluck with it all.

Just thought i'd let you know that I since have aquired a doula who works at ipswich hospital also.... she said that although it's against hospital policy, most of the midwives are trained in waterbirth and if you refuse to hop out of the bath they aren't even going to argue because they wish it was hosptial policy also.