Blackburn Birth Centre

I’m sorry to put my opinion in here in the opposite direction but I gave birth at Burnley and I’m so glad I did because things change really quickly during birth and I’m glad that there was the immediate help there. There is still a midwife led unit at Burnley (pretty much the same as Blackburn) and it’s literally through the doors in case you need any more intervention. In terms of the birth/rooms etc everything runs very similar but just with the added reassurance at Burnley. I was in the exact same position as you but I was really glad to have been at Burnley in the end xx

I’d personally go for Burnley. Birth is so unpredictable

I totally understand birth is unpredictable but just wanted some positive stories from Blackburn. The last few times I’ve been up to triage at Burnley, the birth centre has been closed due to staffing and I don’t want to go to the birth suite x

The birth centre does tours at weekends if you give them a ring you can book in for a midwife to show you round and answer any questions. I'm planning a home birth at the moment but the birth centre would be my next choice. They said they have a low threshold for transfers so if there's any signs something might be going wrong they get you an ambulance and blue light you to Burnley before an emergency.

I would say go and have a tour and any concerns or anything you have bring them up they will put you at ease about it. I was going to go there myself but I couldn’t in the end cause had step. xx

@Carly thank you, I’ve booked a tour for Sunday! Oh that’s reassuring, I’m going to speak to my midwife at my 36 week app on Friday - she’s based there so I’m sure she’ll be knowledgeable x

@Nicola thank you I’ve got one booked for Sunday! Oh that’s unfortunate 😞 xx

I had my first baby girl at Blackburn BC, it was honestly the best experience I couldn't of wished for a more peaceful (considering your birthing a human!!) experience and everything was my choice, no pressure and the midwives who delivered penny were the ones I had my antenatal appointments with so it felt familiar territory. I'm currently 40 weeks with baby no 2, and I'm so hoping to have a Blackburn BC birth again.. however currently awaiting a growth scan appointment which might screw things if baby decides to come before I get a scan and hopefully the all clear 🤞🏼😬 Also I opted for a water birth and had done hypnobirthing which worked so well at the birth centre and without any interference or pressure. My sister and friends all went to Burnley and had a mixture of centre and suite labours there, each of them had some form of intervention. my sister had hallie on her own in the room as the midwife left her to attend another lady and unfortunately Hallie landed on the floor 🙈

However all have said the care they got at Burnley was good, no criticism there just different I suppose to a fully midwifery led unit. Victoria my midwife (whose done most of my antenatal care and works at Blackburn) explained today that before anything becomes an emergency I would be transferred if there was a need too, they wouldn't let you get to an urgent case and then send you in a panic so I hope that reassures you somewhat ❤️❤️

@Charlotte thank you so much for your comment, I’m really glad you had a positive experience 🫶🏼 That’s awful about your sisters baby landing on the floor goodness me 😳 Ahhh okay, yes that’s very reassuring that any sign of danger they transfer you right away ❤️

I had my first baby at Blackburn birth centre, Absolutely amazing! Loved all the midwife’s there. They really do look after you and give you such a personal experience! I had a water birth with my first. I have just been back to give birth to my second on the 1st of November. My birth was absolutely fine I gave birth in the same room as my first almost 6 years ago now. Water birth again. However this time things took a turn. You have to remember these midwife’s do this day in day out and will NEVER risk your life or your baby’s life. My placenta retained and would not come out. They tried their best however I lost a lot of blood 3.5 liters to be exact. They were super calm and requested an ambulance be called. They were there in less than 5 minutes. My midwife came with me to Burnley and I went straight into theatre. I had to have a blood transfusion too. The follow up from Blackburn birth centre has been astounding. Calling me to follow up etc. as well as extra home visits. Xxx

I had my midwife appoint at Blackburn Birth Centre yesterday and came away feeling the exact same. It felt so relaxed and a nice environment. I got a really good feeling from it and said I would like to give birth there. But as with these comments it’s the worry in the back of your mind for if something goes wrong.. 😟 It’s good to hear other stories and hopefully find out more information before I’m due x

I ended up having my baby at the birth centre last week. My original plam for home wasn't quite in place as my home birth assessment was delayed due to baby being breech. They turned him by ecv at burnley and 24 hours later he was here! 37+2. It wasn't what I had planned originally but I would give birth there again. We did end up having an emergency transfer to NICU about 6 hours after he was born as they were concerned about his breathing, but everything has been fine. They phoned through to the doctors for advice at the first signs that something wasn't right with his breathing . I felt well looked after the whole time from phoning the birth centre at the start to arriving at hospital with one of the midwives .

In my experience the birth centre is great if there's no complications. Things do happen and I choose to go to one of the bigger hospitals as I didn't like the ideal of if something went wrong i would have to be blue lighted to Burnley. Which adds more stress at a time that's already putting stress on you and your body x I was due to have a normal enough birth but ended up being rushed to have an emergency c section to find out once in the operation room that I didn't need one 😅 and ended up doing a foreseps delivery x