They were so super! They discussed my progress not with numbers i.e. how many hours to go or how many centimetres I was dilated but with positive encouragement and listening to me. They were so supportive and understanding to me and to my partner. They really helped me so much and gave me such a positive attitude and encouragement the whole way through.
Another woman highlighted the long-term importance of their experience at the birth centre:
It was better than very good service. The privacy and physical space really helped, I didn׳t feel crowded. Giving birth there made a huge difference to me throughout the following months. It helped me not feeling scared unlike after the previous experience.
The group of women who gave birth at the birth centre were very pleased with the involvement with decision-making. The only negative comments came from a few women who wanted to be able to access the birth centre in early labour and felt not listened to by the midwife on the phone:
The only problem was not being allowed to come into the birth centre when I thought I should be there. I didn׳t like that they were not listening, believing me when I called on the phone.
There were positive comments about hospital birth as well:
The midwife was excellent, really supportive, kept me at ease. She was very hands on, gave me a massage. She stayed with me throughout which was really nice of her. It was a really good experience.
On the other hand negative experiences in hospital were linked with lack of support:
The midwife was not supportive or encouraging during labour. She would not allow me to try different positions and she was not listening to me about my back problems. She also said negative things about me after the baby was born.
Being rushed and lack of time by the hospital midwife affected the women negatively:
The midwives were not so good; they were screaming and too rushed. They were very busy and kept rushing around and I didn׳t like that at all.
A few women felt some doctors lacked communication skills and empathy:
The doctors stood there and chatted among themselves instead of me. I hated my experience … .
If women had to transfer, continuity of carer and good communication between the birth centre and the hospital staff was perceived as very important. A woman said:
The midwife at the birth centre was absolutely phenomenal, fantastic, brilliant. She was calm, she stayed with me after her shift finished, she accompanied me to hospital for my postnatal care