VBAC in a midwife led unit?

[Smile181c]

Hey everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has had a c section and then a successful vbac in an MLU? My local hospital has just opened up a new natural midwife led unit, but I'm 99% sure they won't let me give birth there because of my prev section...I have my heart set on going there though

My surgeon said last time round that I have a really good chance of having a natural birth next time round but I really don't want to be stuck on a bed in the delivery suite strapped down and continually monitored! I'm not even sure that my c section would have been necessary had I have refused an epidural but I got to 9cm by myself then failed to progress...

Just looking for any vbac success stories really as this has got me down!

 

[MummyToAmberx]

Mlu at my local doesnt allow vbacs. Deffo a question you need to ask your midwife.

 

[Smile181c]

Yeah I'm seeing her again on tuesday so will definitely ask Just wondered in the mean time in case anyone had any successful stories...long shot I know!

 

[MemmaJ]

The guidelines for giving birth in any MLU/birth centre is that you must be low risk, and unfortunately a VBAC is not low risk. I very much doubt you would be able to go there but some VBACS do have homebirths for the same reasons as you (not wanting continuous monitoring etc).
You'd still be advised against a homebirth and there would have be input from a Supervisor of Midwives, but you might have more luck with that than trying to get into an MLU because I doubt they'd let you in

 

[amelia26]

I know of several people who have had vbacs at mlu, despite initially being told no. It would require discussions with supervisor of midwives and/or consultant midwife.
If you're hoping for a more natural vbac it's worth taking to these people anyway.

The first mw I saw said no outright. The second I saw I mentioned wanting to discuss not having cfm and she said she could refer me to the consultant mw to ddiscuss it and I could also enquire about mlu.


My situation has since changed so I've not followed that up.

 

[PaganBride]

I had a HWBAC 17 months after my section. I was offered MLU after asking for a home birth, but declined and had my home birth. If you want MLU, it may require some negotiation, but they should facilitate you.

 

[tigerlilly]

following x

 

[Smile181c]

Totally forgot to update this - my mw has said no to MLU but I haven't yet had my consultation appointment. It's not looking good though. My friend was approved for MLU by her consultant (she had low BMI at booking appt) and the midwives still turned her away at the door when she was in labour

 

[Twinmum87]

I have been told no which has really annoyed me as the MLU here is actually inside the hospital just 1 floor above the labour ward. They make you lay on your back and strap you to monitors which increases the risks drastically as our bodies are just not designed to do that. Active labour with intermittent monitoring i safer but the Dr's are just muppits that don't catch on to what all the midwives tell them.

 

[Smile181c]

Well this is my issue as well Twinmum! I'm going to tell my consultant in no uncertain terms that I will not be lay on the bed with monitors strapped to me. I've done my research and I'm obviously happy to have intermittent monitoring but I've also spoken to 2 midwives who have said continuous monitoring isn't always necessary so that has strengthened my argument. I know the percentage risk of uterine rupture (which, incidentally is lower than shoulder dystocia and placenta previa in normal low risk pregnancies!) and I'm happy with my decision. If they try to fight me, I'll fight back for a home birth

 

[amelia26]

A consultant will almost certainly say no to mlu. Those I know who have managed it have had to jump through some hoops, see the supervisor of midwives and some have even put in freedom.of information requests to find out if any previous vbacs have taken place at their mlu, to strengthen their case.

Anyone having a baby in a consultant-led labour ward should know, though, that no one can MAKE you lie on the bed strapped to monitors. If they say you need continuous monitoring that is actually just their recommendation. It's ultimately up to you and after you do the research and discuss the reasons they encourage it, you might choose to decline it. If you do decide on cfm, you needn't be laid on your back the whole time. You can still move a bit and might find a birthing ball more comfy. You might also enquire if your hospital has telemetry - wireless monitoring - which can allow for a bit more freedom.

Wherever you labour, active labour should be encouraged where possible. I've known several women who have achieved active and natural labours on the labour ward.

 

[Smile181c]

Thanks Amelia I'm pretty sure my hospital have telemetry machines so I would be happy to have continuous monitoring if one of those were used but I'd also really like to try for a water birth so intermittent may be my only way! I'm not gonna go in all guns blazing, but I'm also not gonna be bullied into something I don't want We'll just see on the day what mood my consultant is in

 

[Rhio92]

Just because you may need to be in consultant led delivery doesn't mean you have to lay on your back. My daughter was born in consultant led, I was encouraged to walk around, use the birthing ball, and was allowed a bath. When I pushed I could get in any position that was comfortable xx

 

[Smile181c]

Even with the straps around your belly? I wasn't allowed to move when I had them last time around "/ which hospital were you at? Maybe I'll give birth there instead

 

[tigerlilly]

I have been told no which has really annoyed me as the MLU here is actually inside the hospital just 1 floor above the labour ward. They make you lay on your back and strap you to monitors which increases the risks drastically as our bodies are just not designed to do that. Active labour with intermittent monitoring i safer but the Dr's are just muppits that don't catch on to what all the midwives tell them.

our local hospital is the same, even tho the labour ward and MLU are above one another.

 

[tigerlilly]

I've also been reading that induction also increases the risk of rupture! as does the methods they use no wonder they want ppl strapped up and on the backs after induction, i'm saying no to induction I can think of nothing worse than not being able to be active during labour,

 

[Rhio92]

Even with the straps around your belly? I wasn't allowed to move when I had them last time around "/ which hospital were you at? Maybe I'll give birth there instead

Have they said that you definitely have to have continual monitoring?

 

[MemmaJ]

There's no reason you have to stay on your back/stay still during continuous monitoring. You should be able to stand/sit/use the ball/move around as much as you want to within the confines of the machine leads (if it's not wireless).
No-one should lay on their back throughout labour, whether VBAC, induction or anything else - that's actually not very common, so stories of that may be a bit exaggerated..!
Good luck

 

[Smile181c]

I'm just going by my previous birth with the lying on my back stuff obviously I don't know what will happen this time around but I know to stand my ground. My hospitals MLU is also on the same floor as the delivery suite lol

Rhio, my hospitals policy is that I go in as soon as I go into labour, regardless of how dilated I am to have continuous monitoring "/ I'm also refusing induction, after reading that the typical induction methods break down the collagen in your cervix but it also can break down the collagen in your scar tissue! I will however compromise and have a RC if I get to 41+3 as per their policy. This whole birth thing is stressing me out no end. My last "birth" definitely affected me more than I thought!

 

[Twinmum87]

Saw the MW after my scan yesterday and got more info. She said the reason they don't allow vbac at the MLU is not just risk of rupture but because they are only able to listen in for a min or so at a time with a hand held Doppler and they prefer to do intermittent monitoring on the machines they connect you to for 30-40 mins at a time. I told her I was very worried that they would try to make my lay on the bed too much if I deliver on the labour ward so she has written in my noted I want as active a birth as possible and told me they will write it down on every place that is appropriate and to really stress it at every appointment I go to and that the midwives are very good at supporting the need for active labours and births despite the dr's attitude of wanting women on their back and will support me. That has made me feel a little better as I my biggest worry is that even thou I know they cannot force me to lay down thru the whole thing, but that they will go on and on incessantly and try to make me feel bad and try to force me to agree to what they want and pressure me into a less active birth. I mean I am not talking running and star jumps here but using the ball, having little walks around the room and being able to change position is very important to me. Hoping they will let me stay upright when they do monitor as long as I keep still so they can get the trace.