Opinions please - midwife led unit

[Abbiewilko]

Hi all, just wanted some advice...

The maternity unit in my hometown (about 10 mins away) has now been closed and is now just a midwife led unit, taking low risk pregnancies only. I was shown round the suite at my booking appointment and was really impressed, it was also nice as I found out hubby can stay in hospital overnight with me rather than being sent home.

After this, I decided I would like to have our baby here rather than travelling 40 minutes to the nearest hospital which is a regular maternity unit with doctors, cesareans available etc.

Only problem now is whenever I say to people I'd like my baby at the midwife led unit they grumble and say they'd never do it! I feel like its starting to sway my decision and that I should never considered it just incase I put my baby at risk.

Just wondered if anyone has given birth in a midwife led unit only.. Or if anyone has any opinion on it?

Thanks

 

[MindUtopia]

Honestly, I think most (or at least many!) UK women give birth in midwife led units. Yes, some are attached to existing hospitals or within the same town, but many are stand-alone. I can't comment on the MLU experience itself, as I had a home birth, but if the choice was between a standard hospital maternity unit and a MLU, I'd definitely go for the MLU, especially since you said you already feel really comfortable there.

It's not quite the same but I had a home birth. I'm about 20 minutes to the closest hospital. Community midwives and midwives who work in freestanding birth centres are usually very aware of transfer times and they base their care and the advice they give you on the fact that if you needed a higher level of care, they'd want to start that ball rolling early so you can get there by the time you need it. For instance, for my home birth, the protocol is that if you have one strange heart rate reading on the doppler, they advise a transfer. If you were in hospital, they might not even do anything if that happened. Does that make sense? So they are very cautious and don't take any risks. They'll transfer you early and in the time that you're on your way there, the docs on the other end can be preparing for you (which they would be anyway if you were in hospital, but you'd just be sitting in your room while they did it rather than in transfer).

But the reality is that most births are trouble-free and completely appropriate for a MLU. I'd never go into hospital if I had another option (no MLU near me unfortunately). I felt very safe with only midwives. So I'd say if you feel comfortable about the birth centre and trust the midwives you work with then I'd go for it. Maybe having a chat with the midwife team there about their transfer policy and how they would handle things if you needed more than they could do for you would help?

 

[Abbiewilko]

Thank you so much, yes it made sense

I spoke to the midwife today and she said the same as you have that they wouldn't wait around if they saw a slight problem. I have to remember at the end of the day that it's my choice and not to let people put me off.

Thanks for your advice, much appreciated x

 

[Seity]

MLU is the best!!! I had midwives for both my boys. They still have us birth at the hospital here because there isn't a separate birth facility, but you're under the care of the midwives for all prenatal care and the birth.

 

[kanga]

Don't let other people's feelings influence yours. A MLU birth might not be for them because they have fears but don't let them put their fears on you. Do your research. If you're not having complications, chances are you'll have a Normal vag birth anyway.

 

[Abbiewilko]

Thank you all! X

 

[BunnyN]

People tend to think that only doctors are trained for an emergency. Many MWs are very well trained and experienced about what to do in an emergency and have drugs and equipment available for things like PPH and baby resuscitation. They will do exactly the same thing as what would happen in hospital in most cases. Basically the only thing they can't do is surgery. Most 'emergency' CS are not real emergencies as such, just unplanned, and it will usually take at least 30 mins for them to get a theater ready for you even if you were in hospital. If MWs phone ahead they can be doing that while you are on your way to the hospital.

 

[mum22ttc#3]

I had my last LO at a MLU compared to 2 previous hospital births and I much preferred it. Mine was though attached to the main hospital but even it wasn't then I would still be opting for it.

It's like others have said, the midwifes will be well aware of transfer times etc and aren't going to take any unnecessary risks.
Good luck

 

[EstelSeren]

If I had a choice of a midwife led unit then I'd have jumped at the chance both this time and with my daughter! Here we only have the choice of standard maternity unit or home birth though! I had a hospital birth with my daughter and was completely under midwife care and it was great, if a little too 'sterile' feeling an environment for it to feel homely! I would still have chosen a mlu if I'd had the chance though!

Beca :wave:

 

[Evansangel]

I had both of mine at the MLU and I intend to have this one there as well.

The only downside is now the MOU is only open 8-8, so if I go into labour after 8pm I have to call the hospital and they will see if they can get a midwife to the unit to meet me there.

I hope so because its the closest to my house and I have quick labours.

 

[LockandKey]

I'm in a MLU by choice, actually am driving about 45 mins to see them because they are the closest ones to me, and I love them! The midwives are so nice and polite, they treat me like I am a person, they address every single question with lots of information and encouragement, no matter how silly, and I think typically the c section rate for a MLU is much, much lower than a hospitals, as is the rates for episiotomy, tearing, vacuum, and forceps. Midwives are trained nurses, they know about the labor and delivery process better than the standard OB does, which is something a lot of people don't really know, the birth experiences and reviews from their patients are usually very high and positive, and they have the experience and know how on how to handle problematic situations and emergencies. Don't let the negative opinions of others sway you from one direction to another just because they would never do it doesn't mean you shouldn't either.

 

[Abbiewilko]

Thank you, I've decided I will stick with my instinct with the MLU.. Providing I continue to remain low risk!

 

[AC1987]

I had a MLU for my LO it was amazing, I enjoyed the care I got and my birth experience. It was in a hospital setting but I still felt very at ease like I wasn't made to feel like giving birth is an unnatural thing to do which is what I feel from doctors. This time we moved so I'm hoping again to travel the 40 mins to do the MLU all over again

 

[Reno]

I was in a midwife led unit (home-from-home they call it) and had an amazing waterbirth! Only time I needed a doctor was for stitches as 2 midwives had a peek and weren't confident!

There was a regular maternity unit with labour wards the two floors above, and I was told if I needed any more pain relief that I'd be transfered to the labour ward - that was enough encouragement to stick with g&a and have my water birth!

Will hopefully return to the MLU this time (there's only 9 rooms, so it's pot luck on arrival - with DS I had to wait an hour in reception when I was 7cm as a room was becoming available), but I won't be having another water birth - I'd rather an active birth out of the water so I can get an episiotemy as the tear was kinda horrific!

 

[LockandKey]

quick update in case you are interested I had my baby at my MLU, and my midwife was so amazing, and in between me pushing, she held a warm cloth to my perenium and did massages and stretches on my lady parts, which I am certain kept me from tearing.

 

[Pearls18]

In my opinion knowing what I do now since having my first that you are probably safer in a MW unit personally, you're less likely to have unnecessary intervention and that is the best thing for you both, if you need intervention you will be blues and twos there in plenty of time. Where I am from (originally) most people give birth in a midwife led unit because the nearest hospital is over an hour away, here most people have to give birth in a hospital which is very medicalised and I can tell you now unscientifically I know a lot more people with unpleasant stories here than I do back home. Birth is not a medical emergency, so there's no need treat it like one.

 

[xx~Lor~xx]

I chose to have all three of my children at a midwife led birthing unit. And loved it! I hate hospitals, and the midwife led birthing unit was so much more comfortable, and being able to have OH stay overnight with me was so important after delivering my first two children ( we left the same day with my third)

 

[kaths101]

I had my first at hospital, my second in the MLU.
The MLU is definitely more relaxing, less busy and quieter. My midwife stayed with me the whole time.i gave birth to my giant 10lbs 11oz baby in the pool with no problems at all. The rooms are much nicer and I had radio, candles, mood lighting.. Was really nice and relaxing..
if I had the choice having had both I would go with MLU..

I also think if I hadn't been In the MLU and In the pool I would have struggled a lot more with the size of the baby!

 

[geordie_gal]

Ive opted for a MWL in my birth plan - mainly because I don't want Dan getting sent home! ha x

 

[Creative]

Thank you, I've decided I will stick with my instinct with the MLU.. Providing I continue to remain low risk!

be strong and stay true to what you believe and think about what it is that prompted you to consider it in the first place "active birth" etc.
I've had some very similar comments from people over my choice of homebirth and I too had a bit of a jitter about it but am back on my choice and certain that I have made the right choice.