Grantham midwife led birth unit

[PinkPenguin36]

Hi, has anyone given birth here or planning to? I am 28 weeks pregnant with 1st any and hoping to have a water birth there. Be good to hear people's experiences. Mel

[ditsygem]

Hi Pinkpenguin I am also considering giving birth there - I am moving to the area soon, so really hope that once I am close by I can go and visit and ask lots of questions.
My main concern is the 22 mile trip to lincoln if something goes wrong - but I am keen to stay out of the hospital if at all possible so the MLU sounds great. I want to know how many first time mums end up being transfered to lincoln in reality. I'm 22 weeks at the moment so a bit behind you.
I['ll watch this thread with interest incase anyone else has more info on Grantham!

[paleandinteresting]

Hi, I'm currently 21+4 and live close to Grantham, but am planning to give birth at the QMC in Nottingham (am considered high risk because of blood pressure issues). If you're close by, I've heard really good things about the midwife-led St Mary's Birth Centre in Melton (there are a couple of threads on Mumsnet and I went there for my booking-in appointment). If there are any problems I think you get transferred to one of the Leicestershire hospitals.
www.leicestershospitals.nhs.uk/aboutus/departments-services/maternity/st-marys-birth-centre/about-us/

[peeriebear]

Hi :) I'm 32wks and down for a pool birth at Grantham. It's a small unit and I've only heard good things about it. I also spoke to a woman who runs birthing classes and she had nothing but praise for the MWs and unit- relaxed atmosphere, no stretching of resources (I'm looking at you Lincoln) and the personal treatment that is often lacking in big units.
First time mums are automatically under Lincoln ditsy- Grantham only takes second or further births.

[peeriebear]

That was a bit sweeping of me... First timers are discouraged from birthing at Grantham as there's no previous experience to gauge what sort of birth it might be. But I think they are allowed. When I had my first it was a definite 'No!' to first timers in Grantham.

[batteryhen]

I have heard great things about the care at MLU Grantham. I am going to Boston though, as I am first time mum, and have clotting issues so considered too high risk for a midwife led unit. I wish i could go to Grantham - I am sure it is lovely :)

[ditsygem]

Ah, thanks for that info peeriebear - it's good to know. I am really hoping that they will allow me, as the area I am in that the mo keep saying I'm an ideal candidate for home birth etc as v low risk - but I guess each area is different, will have to wait and see when I move there, but good to have a head up!

[PinkPenguin36]

Thank you for your replies :) I'm a first time mum and being actively encouraged by midwife to go for a birth at the MLU. Quite excited really more than anything. It does concern me a little about distance to Lincoln but it would be under blue lights if needed and from what I've heard you are very closely monitored due to high staff ratio at Grantham so if something was wrong you would be moved very quickly! Nearly 29 weeks so will be here sooner than I know eek!

[ditsygem]

pinkpenguin that is great news that your a first time mum too - it gives me hope that I will also be a Grantham MLU birth! It would be great to hear how you get on.
I've read reviews of the centre since this thread started, and people have nothing but praise for it! I can't wait to go and have a look around once I am in the area.
Good luck for a lovely water birth!

[PinkPenguin36]

Hi all, I have just been to look round the unit. Shown round by a very sweet healthcare support worker. Had a good look in the labour rooms and the pool room. Pool room very spacious. Bathrooms have huge baths as well in case pool in use and you want a water birth still. Besides the orange painted walls it is a lovely unit. Very quiet! Am 30 weeks now and it has made it all seem so much more real....I've got to push this baby out soon!!!

[DaddyToBe]

Hi all, I'm glad I've found this recent thread. My wife and I are 25+3 weeks with our first baby and we've also found ourselves stuck in the 'Grantham or Lincoln' discussion. We live in Lincoln close to the A46 so we can get to Grantham in less than 30 minutes. We would like a quiet, relaxing birth and the ability to use the pool would be great, but it's this whole emergency thing in the back of my mind that's really making it hard to decide. So far we have had no complications whatsoever, everything with mum and baby is textbook (touch wood) but does that mean labour and birth will be problem free? I bet it doesn't. They reckon an hour from Grantham to Lincoln by ambulance, which seems like a long time if a sudden problem arises. How many ladies get transferred to Lincoln? What is the success (or failure) rate of births at Grantham? Has anyone had any first hand experience with starting in Grantham and having to be transferred to Lincoln? Was it a completely unforeseen problem? Do they transfer you at the slightest hint of a possible problem just to be on the safe side? Is there a reason that Grantham is such a quiet ward compared to Lincoln? When we visited it was completely empty apart from the community healthcare worked and a midwife. We are struggling to decide and are open to any advice or comments. Thanks.

[ditsygem]

Hi all,
I went to book in for a birth at the Grantham MLU last week. They have ok'ed me to give birth there as everything points to me being low risk.
It's a really nice quiet unit and I love the idea of no visiting hours etc and it only being 5 mins from home. The birthing pool looks lovely and big too.

The midwife said that the main reasons they transfer are for failure to progress in the 1st stage (so being too slow) or because mum wants an epidural and they can't give it at Grantham. She said she can't remember the last time they had to transfer in 2nd stage, so I guess if you do have to transfer its not usually a total "emergency" as its when you still have time before giving birth.

She also said they have an ambulance on stand by for the maternity unit at all times so they would act quickly if they needed to transfer.

I guess its not without risk but I think the risk is minimal and I've heard nothing but good things about it so far.

Good luck to everyone who is giving birth there! and if any Grantham mummy's/mummys to be fancy a meet up at any point, I'm new to the area and am due to have my first baby in early November so would be happy for a bit of company!