Would appriciate some help and guidance

[BattyNora]

Hi Ladies

I'm hoping from some advice and think you may very well be helpful!

Right - background (or rather waffle)- I'm starting to research types of birth/what I want nice and early so I have the time to a)really take in as much information as I think I need to make sure I make a good/informed choice b)prepare myself fully for what lays ahead.

At the end of 2010 a midwifery-led unit was opened at my hospital and I am thinking that is the way to go for me. Personally, and while knowing that there is no issue with saftey, I do not think I would feel comfortable birthing at home. Not least as I live at my parents with my husband, and I would not want to intrude nor would I feel comfortable with using the space that is both my parents. Also, I do have a condition that while should have no adverse effects on labour - nor would a medical professional say I could not have a HB - I do know of ladies with it that have had complications; and so I would feel better being closer to "help" IF, in the unlikely event, it is needed

First off; does anyone have any experience to whether MLU really differs from hospital? I've been trying to have a look, but was wondering if anybody knew of any information on the difference between MLU and Consultant-led units in terms of interventions/pain relief? I do want to steer clear of uneccessary procedures because of feeling like I'm not keeping up with somebody elses schedule.

To me the biggest obstacle would be myself - or rather my current attitudes to not trusting that I can do it. My apprehension surrounds whether I will panic/convince myself I cannot do it.

My idea of a labour that would give me the best chance of staying clam and trusting my body would include;

• An atmosphere that I can have a hand in creating, eg. music, lighting
• Not being bedbound - possibly my biggest nightmare - being allowed to move freely
• Being able to use positions I feel are right at the time and being supported to doing that
• Not having pain relief thrust at me. I'm not one to say I WILL NOT have any pain relief; but I would like to try to steer clear of pethadine (et al) and epidural. I am going to be getting a TENS for early labour, I would like to look into the use of a pool for pain relief at the MLU (and maybe even brithing there...?), and I am not adversely against G&A

I've been looking into the idea of Hyponobirthing....and while I do not go in for the whole kit and kaboodle (just because of that being me), I do love the idea that you can take labour as it is, and use your own thoughts and breath to help get you through it. I think some of the techniques are extremely intersting and want to learm more.

Do people recommend looking into it?

Does anyone know of good "at home" courses or where I can find courses local to me. I looked on one site and there was no one close enough to me.

BASICALLY - (so sorry for waffling)

I don't want to go into this and be led by a doctor. I want to feel confident in my bodies ability to cope with labour and birthing, and to trust that it will do what it has to do.

I DON'T want to go into labour not knowing my rights or have REALLY thought about what I want so that uneccessary interventions are offered to me but I do not have the knowledge or trust in myself that I take them blindly.

I basically would appriciate any thoughts you ladies would have to help me research/ideas to look into helping me achieve this.

PS - I've lurked in here at times, but if I'm honest have found this section to be a tad daunting. The 2nd tri thread showed me that it isn't, and while you may vociferously stick up for what you believe in; that many of you will also fight for those who want what is not right for you. I wanted to say that I think it's easy for people to feel threathened by fellow women who are knowledgable and who do speak out; and sometimes that preceived 'threat' can boil over. It is said where in that thread in particular people were arguing about the same thing - freedom of choice and fighting for that right.

 

[sugarcube84]

well interventions wise in a midwife led unit they dont induce so no drips, no epidural or c section and no instrumentl deliveries all of these would have to be transferred for and you wouldnt have to be worried about having pain relief forced on you as that is really not what they are there for.

I would say it sounds like a good idea in your situation have a look in the pinned birth story thread at the top there might be a birth centre story in there!

 

[KittenKat]

Will try to help if I can, though I am not so up on the facts and figures as some of the lovely lasses in here...Oh and I waffle badly so I appologise now hehehe

Firstly if you feel happier with a MLU ....go for it. Advice from me would be go have a nose around if you can then you can see what is on offer and what type of environment it is. The nearest MW led Birth centre to me is totally different to the one at my last hospital, proper comfy beds, some even doubles so OH can sleep there too with you etc.

Pain relief....make sure your birthing partner is aware of what you want or don't want. Then they can be in charge of that part while you are in labour and concentrating on you. Also if you can talk to the midwives there, about availability of water as pain relief. Some places only have one pool and it is on a first come first served basis, but if you are lucky you may also have big showers available and that can also be a route to look at.

As for confidence, you will find quite alot of support around, personally I don't think it matters what type of birth you are going to have (or plan to have) anything is possible if you can believe in yourself and have help from others when that belief waivers. I know mine has quite alot in many things in life but support from others has helped me get to a point where I am confident with myself.

 

[chuck]

I started in a MLU and transferred to hospital and I found the difference chocking and stark.

The MLU was small personal, calm, easy going, quiet, helpful and respectful whereas the hospital was noisy, busy, edgy, unfriendly, unhelpful and disrespectful to me and my husband.

At a MLU you will not be able to get an epi/spinal or have instrumental deliveries/CS...but you are less likely to need them as you will be labouring more naturally in general as the attitude in MLU is geared more towards a mother lead approach -fewer interventions, more time etc.

You will be more likely to get more attention from your MW and more likely to be able to use things like a pool.

In the MLU I went to partners were encouraged to stay overnight- they even had a double bed! Whereas hospital it is visiting hours only.

 

[BattyNora]

Thanks so far ladies...I've already got very excited going forward as it feels like I have started on the right path!

Looking into the new MLU I found this about the head or midwifery;

"She specialises in increasing the normality of births, and has a specialist interest in water births.

The majority of women will give birth to their babies in the midwife-led unit at Lister, with high risk women admitted to the consultant-led unit in the same building.

Previously all women would have been under an obstetrician.

“All low risk women will be encouraged to either opt for a home birth or come into the midwife-led unit,” Kathy said.

(...)

We won’t tell women what they can and can’t do,” said Kathy.

“They make their own choices, and the midwife-led unit gives women a completely different choice.”

She said women in established labour will receive one-to-one support from a midwife on the midwife-led unit, which is proven to bring about “positive outcomes”.

“Their chances of having a normal birth are increased,” she said. “Women tend to need less intervention and less pain relief with one-to-one support.”

She added: “It will be like walking into a hotel room, and it will be a nice homely environment.

“You won’t have to be moved to a post-natal unit, and a few hours after giving birth most new mothers will be able to go home.”"

Hell yeah! Already feel very positive that my trust is geared up for the type of experience I want; and that is an amazing feeling. I know some of you ladies have had to fight tooth and nail for what you want, so for this service to be available is amazing to me.

Just reading that made me feel so much more confident in the process.

 

[Mum2MJ]

Hello

I went to and had a successful delivery at a MLU and it sounds as though you would be suited to it with what you want and don't want. My labour wasn't the easiest, I had/have a twisted pelvis and my DD got stuck at the pushing stage, turned and came out with the front of her head (f-ing ouch) after 2 & 1/2 hours of pushing. Had I been at the hospital though, they prob would only have left me pushing for half that time before interfering so I'm very glad I chose the MLU.
I also wrote a birth plan including that I only wanted gas & air, and not to offer pethidine etc, that i wanted to be as active as possible, use different positions etc and credit where credits due, they stuck to it. They have much more of a hands off approach and pretty much let you get on with it. At the MLU I went to, you have a dedicated mw that stays with you (unless there is a shift change). The only drawback was mine was set in the hospital so although we had a few hours after delivery, DH had to go home (2.40am) when we went to the ward.
I bought the CD set of hypnobirthing off ebay for £20 and I've found it really helpful in teaching me to relax and control my breathing etc, both of which should make for an easier labour Good luck with what you choose x

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hi!! In a nutshell a MLU or Birth Centre as they are also known these days is like a 'home from home' unit. Effectively you get all the same things that you would at a home birth ie a low intervention birth, but in the a more formal / medical setting. My second baby was born in my local birth centre and while I went on to have a home birth with #3, I can say her birth was the most empowering. I loved my birth centre birth and it was exactly the right place for me to have that particular baby. It's all about where YOU feel most at ease.

Essentially there is no difference than being at home in terms of procedures etc.

HTH! x

 

[LaLaBelle]

I have no idea about MLU's and birthing units and such, I'm not from the UK!


But your ideal labor sounds like my ideal labor.


And I feel very similar about hypnobirthing- it sounds very "hippie" and I have a feeling during the classes I will be wanting to roll my eyes- except I felt the exact same way about yoga, I thought it was a bunch of BS but tried it anyways. In the end, my feelings on yoga are that I feel silly doing it, it seems like it's insane, yet at the end of the hour I leave the studio feeling incredibly refreshed and amazing, so clearly *something* about it works! And the more I read about hypnobirthing, the more I think it's going to be just like that- can't explain why it works, but it does.

The Hypnobirth DVD was recommended to me, but there are luckily classes in my local area, so I didn't get the DVDs.

 

[chuck]

Although I ended up with a transfer and EMCS I LOVED the MLU.

We were offered all the tea and toast we wanted and freedom to do what we wanted. I went back there after my CS and we could order in takeaway and use their plates and cutlery etc!

I spent a night or 2 back in the MLU after the CS and it was lovely to have some care and attention and visitors could come and go as they pleased no pressure and sit in the lovely big sitting room rather than the room (with the double bed!) and I got some useful help from the staff.

 

[RaspberryK]

I liked the idea of a birth centre but there aren't any that are close enough, two about an hour away
I am seriously considering a water birth at home as the hospital is only 10 mins away for just in case.

x

 

[chuck]

I liked the idea of a birth centre but there aren't any that are close enough, two about an hour away
I am seriously considering a water birth at home as the hospital is only 10 mins away for just in case.

x

Sounds perfect to me...theres no intervention/help etc they can do in a BC/MLU that cannot be dont at home.

 

[RaspberryK]

Yes that's what I was thinking. And I'd really like to be able to try and carry on with my day to day things, potter around, watch TV listen to music, play some games at home rather than wait for hours in a hospital room getting fed up and I think it would help me to manage the labour better. There's nothing stopping me going to hospital if needed for pain relief (I hope not required) or if complications develop.

x

 

[PeanutBean]

I've never been in a birth centre let alone birthed in one but I wanted to say welcome over here! :wave: It seems that thread sparked an interest in quite a few ladies which I think can only be a good thing.

 

[chuck]

I've never been in a birth centre let alone birthed in one but I wanted to say welcome over here! :wave: It seems that thread sparked an interest in quite a few ladies which I think can only be a good thing.

I know!

We seem quite busy of late it's ace!