to think if I've already had one baby on the MLU I should be able to again?

[girlsyearapart]

Bit previous of me to start this thread but I've just had my booking apt.

This will be Dc3 due beg august.

I have M.S. which causes no problems during pregnancy but can affect my ability to push as fatigue can get the better of me.

Anyway throughout both previous pregnancies I was told I could not have the baby on the Midwife Led Unit as they only accept people without health problems.

All fair enough.

Until I went into labour with dd2 and got put on the MLU as 'there was no room anywhere else'

So I thought I'd like to try a waterbirth this time around, since I gave birth on the MLU last time.

But the mw said no I can't go on the MLU so can't have a waterbirth.

Bit about the whole thing. Anyone else had similar experiences and what did you do?

have you explained what happended last time

when you say you were put on the MLU does this mean you had a natural birth last time, no interventions? Did you have a water birth?

How far is the MLU from the hospital? If it is a way they are just protecting themselves I guess.

What about a home birth and the option of buying/renting your own water pool ?

The first time I had ventouse but the second time on the mlu I didn't have any intervention and no epidural.

The mlu is at the hospital across the corridor from the other maternity bit!

I didn't have a water birth as up until the time that I went into hospital I thought I wasn't allowed to give birth on the MLU.

I just feel a bit miffed that it seems to be such a big thing that I can't have the baby there then as if by magic there's no room in the main delivery area and it's suddenly fine for me to be there.

I'd rather just be able to plan to give birth there to begin with..

Hi girlsyearapart

I have no advice but I am in the same boat.

Kinda

I don't have M.S but because dd was 5 weeks early I have to be under a consultant. Like you I said fair enough, but ds went full term, and I was offered the choice to give birth in midwife led birth centre with him but have been told this time around I can't.

I made a deal with my midwife - I told her that if my pregnancy goes smoothly and I get past 37 weeks then will she relent? She said she'd think about it I guess thats as g ood an answer as I'm gonna get for now.

see you on a/n xx

I have M.E. and was very worried about my ability to push. I saw a consultant who recommended an early epidural to minimise the amount of time I was in pain.

I had that and could feel enough when I needed to push but my DSs heartrate went and they used forceps. I do sometimes wonder if I had been able to push him out myself, I wouldn't have needed the forceps so quickly. Because of this I was glad to be in a place where they could act quickly, as it all was very quick and I don't want to think about what would have happened had I been somewhere else.

Next time I have been told a c section is recommended (I had a bad tear and had to go to theatre) but I would love to have a water birth.

Now I realise that I have given you no advice at all sorry. Does your hospital not have a birthing pool? Mine does, at least you could try the water birth then but you are still in the main bit if something did go wrong. Ask for a second opinon if you are that determined.

Well, really, there is no such thing as 'not allowed'.

You have the choice of where you wish to give birth and they have no business saying you can't.

Have you considered a home birth with your own pool, either bought or rented? Even if that isn't an option you want, you could try telling them you will be having a home water birth and see if that suddenly makes them decide the MLU is suitable after all?

far too chicken to have a home birth!

The MLU is in the same corridor as the main maternity bit but is the only part with the pool.

I had MROP after having (an 'easy' straightforward birth) dd2 on the MLU and they had me over to surgery in the same amount of time as if I'd been in the main bit.

queen is that true that you can go where you want and they can't force you?

Legally they cannot 'force' you to go to the consultant led unit - how would they? Frogmarch you there when in labour?

But this doesn't mean they will not try to coerce you, and it is really hard to stand your ground sometimes.

I suggest writing to the supervisor of midwifery at your local hospital setting out what you have said here and making it clear that unless any complications develop you expect to be allowed to give birth in the MLU. State that the MLU is where you will be ariving when in labour and that the staff have a legal duty of care to you and your baby wherever you choose to give birth.

Thankyou for your advice.
Have been told by other friends just to call when I'm in labour and request the pool as if I haven't discussed it previously.

That could work I guess?

The best plan would be to get them on side really. At each mw appt, say what your wishes are re the broken record technique. Then request a meeting with head of midwifery and state your case. Are you consultant led or mw?

Well I think it's mw led but I have to see a consultant after the 20 wk scan to discuss retained placenta that I had last time.

In my first pregnancy I had to see the consultant about my M.S. but not the 2nd time or this time.

If the pregnancy proceeds without any problems I'll keep on at the MW.

Having said that there are only 2 pools so I still may be out of luck..