Natural Childbirth in London

My wife ("Layla" on this board) and I are moving to London this fall.  We're also having our second child around the same time.  As it stands now, we could either have the child here in the US and then wait 4 weeks or so to make the trek over to London or we could move to London about 4-6 weeks before the baby is born and have it there.

Of course, there are basic logistical nightmares to consider, including packing, unpacking, finding a place, selling a place, etc.  We're still sorting through those.

For now, we are really interested in how childbirth works over there.  We had our first baby (Natalie, 2 yrs old) fairly naturally --- no epidural, no episiotomy, no vaccinations, most of the labor done at home (went the hospital when Alena was at a 6 or 7, I think).  We'd like to reproduce the same experience as much as possible this time around.  The thing we're most concerned about is having to battle our doctor over it.  We saw a doctor here in the US yesterday, and it would be a nightmare with her --- she's totally controlling, full of scare tactics, and just wants us to fit in with her normal routine (which includes a high rate of episiotomies and C-sections).

What do you think?  Would it be straightforward to find a supportive doctor over there?  Is the system efficient enough to allow us to find one so late in the game (6 weeks before due date)?

There's a lot to consider.  Most births here are handled by midwives rather than doctors unless you pay one privately.  The doctor is only called in if there is a problem.  I don't know about London but I was not forced to take any pain relief at all - although I got it when I asked for it. 

Your wife may find it is more mother-orientated here - birth is seen as a natural process rather than a medical procedure in which the 'patient' needs to be treated as if they were ill.

Hopefully those closer to London will be able to share their experiences.

Suggest you contact the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) who should be able to give you all sorts of useful information and advice on childbirth options in the London area:

http://www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com/nct-online/

I live in London and had a natural birth through the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.

Someone remember that book about birth in the UK by the US comedien's wife?

Ann O'Leary - I forget the name of the book - DON'T READ IT, TOO SCARY!

It's An Innocent, A Broad -- I'm waiting to until AFTER I have a baby to read it! 

Hello, decemberist and congrats on your baby and upcoming relocation to the UK!

I was pregnant when we relocated to Britain from the U.S.  Like you, we considered having the baby in the U.S., then waiting a few weeks and relocating.  But I'm extremely grateful we moved and birthed in Britain (my daughter was born three weeks after we moved to Britain).

It would have been really hard to board a plane with a newborn and toddler, and travel, etc.  It was A LOT easier when one child was still on the inside. 

Even the CDC warns against travel with newborns as 1. the breastfeeding relationship can be very disturbed and jepordized, 2. viruses and other pathogens in the air travel environment are not good for newborn to be around and 3. mom's recovery from birth and overall health can be at risk from such long, stressful travel.

Plus, your other two children will need as much stability as possible in the midst of a sibling arrival. 

As far as your birth choices in the UK, you might like to read through AIMS' website:

http://www.aims.org.uk/

You can contact AIMS as well, I did when I arrived as I heard some very strange things from midwives' I interviewed, like laws about birthing didn't apply to expats.   Funny stuff.

Good luck and all the best to your family!

Forgot to post one of my other fave links:

http://www.birthchoiceuk.com/

You can search by area and hospital in the UK.  Find out the induction rates, c-sections, etc.  I don't know if I would have known that the two closest hospitals to where we live have a 28% and 33% c-sec rate, if I didnt' have this link.

Good luck again!