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Birth Choices
So you're happily pregnant and your bump is expanding by the day! Have you decided where you will you have your baby? For some the plan will have been place since the day they conceived for others the decision takes longer. I seem to remember deciding about a week or so before I was due, nothing like leaving it till the last minute when It may be out of your hands!
So will you decide on a hospital birth with access to full pain relief or a home from home birthing centre or home birth? Would you like a waterbirth, to use homeopathy, have an active birth or use hypnobirthing or a combination of all of them!
Hospitals
| Lister Hospital - Stevenage (East and North Herts Trust) |
Lister Hospital, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG1 4AB Tel: 01438 314333
Fax: 01438 781281
Email: generalenquires.enh-tr@nhs.net |
| Queen Elizabeth II Hospital - Welwyn Garden City (East and North Herts Trust) |
Howlands, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 4HQ 01707 328111 |
This won't always be the case though as maternity services will be moved to the Lister Hospital in Stevenage in the latter part of 2010. See this article from the St Albans review.
| Watford General Hospital (West Herts Trust) |
60 Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Tel: 01923 244 366 |
Birthing Centre's
| Alexandra Birthing Centre - Watford General Hospital |
Watford Maternity Unit, 60 Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0HB Tel: 01923 217181 |
Home Birth
If you are interested in having a homebirth then the homebirth reference site should provide you with information and advice and lots of home birth stories. From how to prepare for one, writing your birth plan, equipment you may want to consider and more. You will also find lots of information on the NCT website.
Active Birth
This can be combined with the former and effectively uses movement and gravity to assist labour. With minimal intervention and monitoring you can walk around and find positions that are comfortable for you. There are a few active birth classes in the area and the West Herts NHS Trust run active birth classes for women giving birth in the Alexandra Birthing Unit in Watford. They can be contacted on 01923 217686 .
Other useful websites
BirthChoiceUK - www.birthchoiceuk.com - A UK wide website providing some options and birth statistics.
Birthlight - www.birthlight.com - A charity focusing on a holistic approach to Pregnancy, Birth and Babyhood. They also list local classes and practitioners.
See also
Antenatal classes
If you would like to list your active birth class here then go to our advertise page or our booking form. Registered charities receive full listings with hyperlink and logo for free.
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