Morning! For those of you worrying about not being on the MW led birthing unit but in the labour ward.... I was on the labour ward last time as I had PE - no pool for me :(
However we insisted on an active birth and had access to a ball and birthing stool etc. I was quite militant tho so the poor MW had a lot to contend with.
I wouldn't get on the bed - for anything!! I had been advised by various people, info family (we have big heads on both sides of the gene pool!) NOT to get in the bed in any circumstances as it would be game over and CS would be likely.
That may be a bit OTT but I did give birth kneeling on the floor using the forces of gravity. So I did avoid the CS (altho only just!!). Poor DH had to hold the monitor on me as it kept falling off when I leant against the bed during a contraction.... The MW was losing the plot because the machine kept losing DS' trace which meant she was in trouble with the DRs! It was a bit of a farce but DH's extensive experience, of falling asleep in nightclubs holding a pint but not spilling a drop, came into its own!!!!
I did have an epidural a few hours before DS was born. I wished I had had it much much earlier so it had time to wear off before the pushing phase. May have helped me avoid 2nd degree tear!!!
Anyway, The MWs are under more pressure from the Drs on a labour ward. you are being clock watched so the cascade of interventions is more likely to commence than on a pure MW led unit. And therefore a CS or instrumental birth is that bit more likely. However it is still possible to have th birth that you want and of course you have all the medical support you might need immediately in case of a problem.
Fwiw we had a doula so she and DH managed to negotiate to give me more time and try different things. I'm pretty sure it was my militant approach to an active birth and my supporters negotiation skills that ensured I did avoid a CS in the end.