anyone recently been in midwife led unit of QMC, Nottingham?

[GothMummy]

Hi
Has anyone recently delivered in the midwife led unit of the QMC? Whats it like? I have seen it but 5 years ago when I did a ward tour, but had a home birth with my son. Im due in June, and due to some possible complications its not advisable for me to have a home birth this time around, but my consultant that I can go to the midwife led unit as its very close to the theatres if something does go wrong... .

As I laboured at home, upright, watching DVDs and doing what I pleased Im getting very very nervous about the idea of a hospital birth now. I would really appreciate your experiences, at least if they are negative I can be prepared.

thanks

I was in the consultant side, but only because the MW side was full, so was MW led. Overall I liked it, was there a while (first labour) and only had one iffy MW.

Once they broke my waters my MW was lovely. I couldn't have the GnA and she told me all the time I was doing well. My pushing stage was 2.5hrs and they were happy to let me go on (had to check with head MW first). They did their best to encourage different positions and moving around (but I was tired and found a position I liked and stayed there). Once I was in transition they strapped a belt on me but it didn't impede my movements and they still encouraged active movement.

I didn't get an epidural but that's because the MW knew I was starting transition. They didn't refuse just delayed it a bit until I saw there was no point as I was fine.

Things are normally comfort others didn't work (e.g. hot stuff on back as was back-to-back). When I arrived they offered aromatherapy, I was a bit but was converted. Sent you off for lots of baths.

My only complaint was that they didn't encourage or offer stuff. Ideally I would have liked a water birth but I think my labour just didn't go that way. They have bouncy balls and massive bean bags etc. They also have some weird contraption things that you can kind of sit/hang/squat with support so you can ask for that. Also they didn't encourage me to try BF straight away but I think that's because I was whisked to surgery for stitching (3rd degree). Also they took ages to come when you buzzed, since I was having an asthma attack it therefore took a while to get nebuliser. So if you feel you need to be seen soon, send DH out.

The post-natal part wasn't that great, but they are keen to get rid as soon as possible so you won't have problems if that is what you want to do.

Overall average but they do MW lead and not turn to medical stuff at the first sign.

Gave birth recently in consultant led part of QMC but saw the rooms etc in midwife led part and all looked fine. One big room with birth pool and lava lamps and various chairs and things to hold on to. All rooms definitely hav TVs and CD players, not sure about DVD players. Even though I was officially under consultant care, I only saw midwives this time. One change of shift at 7 am but otherwise saw the same person who was great during the birth. I was able to move around and hold and feed DD as soon as she was born. So think labour suite at QMC is fine. Wards are not much fun - noisy and hard to sleep, and there was a lot of hanging around waiting for paperwork to go home. Food is rubbish so I had DH bring things in from home or buy it at Costa coffee.

Thanks for your replies, sounds OK then!