Second labour, 37 weeks and stressing about where to have have the baby

[hichaechoc]

I am currently 37 weeks pregnant, so aware I've left this rather late! Anyway, I am having a real dilemma about where I should have the baby and am getting into a ridiculously stressy panic about it. I have a choice of either a MLU (with no Drs on site, so any major problems would mean transferring to the hospital over 30 minutes away) or going straight to the hospital (about 25 minutes away from my home).

I had a straightforward and pretty quick first labour (6 hours) so in that sense I'm keen to go for the MLU, which has a lovely atmosphere and is obviously low intervention which really appeals. It is also closer to me. However, last time I did have a 3rd degree tear and ended up with a spinal in theatre 7 hours after giving birth for stitches (after a couple of botched attempts by a junior Dr). Obviously if I went to the MLU and this happened again I would need to be transferred, which I really don't want to do.

Any words of wisdom anyone? Does anyone have any views as to whether you are just as likely to tear second time round? I have heard both sides - either you're more stretched, so less likely, or you are quite likely to tear again in the same place.

Obs generally quote a 5% risk of recurrence of a third degree tear. If you have another one it won't be pleasant whether you are in the hospital or the MLU, but the transfer is unlikely to be super stressy as it won't be an emergency. Only deliver in the MLU if you feel totally ok with it, you could always 'book' for the MLU and change on the day if you don't feel comfortable with it.

Thanks Maxbear. Any more advice anyone?

I registered with my local MLU at 38 weeks so you're not alone in having last minute wobbles . I had had a very long difficult 1st labour with multiple failed epidurals & didn't want a repeat of that so decided I was just best off away from a hospital altogether. I'm so glad I did it even though like yours it was stand-alone & 20 mins to a hospital (although they reckon blue light it's 9 mins) & TBH once I was in labour I didn't give it a second thought. In fact towards the end the MW did hint at transfer being the official route on finding meconium in my waters but I was sufficiently vocal about any attempt to move me even a cm so she obviously decided it wasn't worth it

Oh, and I tore the first time (not 3rd degree but enough to make me still wince thinking about it) and despite DS2 being a whole 1.5lbs bigger and back to back I had a natural birth with NO pain relief & NO tears whatsoever. MW was amazing and a world away from the hospital MW I encountered with DS1 who were lovely but much more medically incline.
Go for it & good luck

LCN