Tell me about labour ward delivery.

[TeddyIsaHe]

I'm 28 weeks pregnant, and from the beginning I've been set on having a MLBU birth. I've just got back from my appointment with the midwife and a swab I had a couple of weeks ago shows I've tested positive for group b strep. This means I have to labour on the delivery suite instead, and I'm unreasonably disappointed! I'm so glad I found out early, so baby will have the necessary antibiotics, but I had my heart set (stupidly).

Can you share your experiences? I'm so worried I'll be stuck on a bed, hooked up to the IV and unable to move around etc. I was planning a water birth in the unit, so have only really researched that, and now worked myself up to not wanting a dry-land birth. Any info will be gratefully received!

[INeedNewShoes]

Can I lurk? I'm consultant led too.

My consultant led labour ward still has a birthing pool...

[Spudlet]

I wanted an MLBU birth but went 12 days overdue so was induced and ended up on Delivery Suite. I didn't have an iv or continuous monitoring and was able to labour in whatever position worked (kneeling leant on the back of the bed worked best for me), never saw a dr the whole time, never felt pushed towards intervention. The only thing I'd have liked was a pool, I think there is one or two on delivery suite but not in my room. But aside from that, it was absolutely fine, room was as homey as a hospital room can be, midwife was great. Panic not, I'm sure you'll be fine

[2014newme]

Did you ask whether you can still have a water birth?

[mrschatty]

Hi op congratulations on your baby

I had a high risk delivery in Jan due to cardiology issues with baby. It was great I was hooked up to a monitor throughout because they wanted to monitor baby heart rate but i was able to take the monitor off for periods of time and walk about and go loo etc and when the monitor was on I was leaning over the bed on all 4s or stood beside bed.
I wasn't hooked up to IVs but I do know friends who have been due to different reasons but she could still move about and take the trolly thing with her
My midwife was brilliant in helping me have as natural and calm a birth as possible and keep me calm and relaxed.

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

I wanted MLBU for both of mine, pool, relaxed, natural. Didn't get it with either.

DC1 I arrived at hospital ready to push and DH's car didn't even get moved from the drop off zone by the front door before baby arrived. No time to even discuss my water birth!

DC2 was induced due to suspected IUGR and high blood pressure. Had to be on constant monitoring on labour ward. DC2 flew out too

[IShallCallYouSquishy]

Pressed post too soon.

Whilst I wanted water births, come the end I was just happy to have them out. The MW were wonderful and I couldn't have asked for better care

[PassTheCremeEggs]

While it's not ideal, don't forget that plenty of people don't end up with a water birth even without issues. At least this way you're a bit prepared rather than finding out on the day you can't for another reason (sometimes it's as simple as there's no space in pool!) The main thing is the baby arrives safely, that really is the most important thing.

[Redkite10a]

My hospital will let you on the MLU and have a water birth if strep b positive. I actually want a home birth, so got referred through to the consultant midwife and we have agreed a birth plan. One of the first things she suggested was paying privately for a strep b test at 37 weeks, if it was negative they would have been happy to treat me as not positive. Look at the GBSS charity website for details of the test, it cost 35 pounds.

If you aren't happy with the labour ward, I suggest pushing to talk to a consultant midwife or supervisor of midwifes. There may be some flex in the system.

[Mummyme87]

Odd a shame to why you can't have the 4hrly IVaB on birth centre, most units allow this. They run over 20mins every 4hrs until birth. You don't need to be on the bed, you don't need continuous monitoring.

I would maybe ask to speak to a supervisor of midwives about this as it sounds outrageous not to be able to have this on MLU

[redcaryellowcar]

For my first birth I was induced to had iv line and continuous monitoring, it was a bit of a nuisance but I was able to move about quite a bit, I'd suggest accepting (with open arms) any offers of student midwives, as they will stay with you more and mine was so helpful getting me moving about. Also let you let dh/dp know what you are hoping for and they can help too.

[aforestgrewandgrew]

Just placemarking so I can come back later as I had a consultant-led birth because of Strep B and can share my experience but have to rush out the door to work right now!

[HappyHeart87]

DD was very premature so had an extremely 'medicalised' birth which was absolutely not what I wanted. I'd hoped for a water birth in the Birthing Centre (didn't ever get a chance to write a plan!) and ended up on my back in labour ward with a midwife and 5 doctors (actually maybe one was a student). I remember asking if she could get put on my chest and delay the cord clamping and the consultant laughing (very kindly) and saying no that's completely impossible.

But the whole experience was really positive. My midwife did all she could to accommodate what I wanted as much as possible. Up until the last 30 minutes I laboured quietly and in the dark; DH was good at advocating for me and explaining (eg) that I didn't want anybody to touch me.

I'm sorry you aren't getting what you'd hoped for, but I'd encourage you to make a really clear birth plan and make sure your birthing partner(s) know how to create the environment you want. I think you can probably get pretty close to your 'ideal' even though you're in a different setting.

[Fluffsnuts]

I thought I wanted a water birth, and started off that way but ended up with forceps in the labour ward.

If there's a next time I plan on having a labour ward birth. I actually really liked the reassuarance the medical setting gave me.

[Tumtitum]

I had a brilliant midwife and doctor was only present because of meconium in the waters, she didn't do anything just checked baby when they arrived. There was a pool but I as too far gone when I arrived so no time to fill it! I had baby's heartbeat monitored because of the meconium but the midwife still helped and encouraged me into different positions. I couldn't have walked around but I didn't want to anyway. I had previously had my heart set on the midwife led unit but I honestly think it made no difference and I remember DD's birth very positively

[GruffaloPants]

I have high risk deliveries with lots of drips, constant monitoring etc. My second labour a few months ago was great! I was pretty immobile on a bed, but the midwife moved things around to make me comfortable and I laboured in a supported half sitting, half standing position. The room was full of doctors, midwives and students. I didn't care! I was laughing within half a minute of giving birth. Only needed gas and air.

Just describing this to say you can have a good birth anywhere with the right support.