I don't suppose there is any chance that they'll let me have this baby in the midwife-led unit?

[emkana]

As most of you know I'm 39 weeks pregnant with a baby who is likely to have a skeletal dysplasia, with the seriousness of the condition as yet unknown.

So far I just assumed that there would be no chance of me delivering in the midwife-led unit, so I didn't even ask, and I still assume that they won't let me, or would they? Does anybody know?

As far as I know no-one can let or not let you do anything You can request that your birth be in the mid-wife led unit and let them come up with a list of reasons against it.. and then you have your list of reasons for it. Personally, regardless of the likliness of skeletal dysplasia, I would like to give birth wherever I felt most comfortable.. Good Luck!!! :)

What is it about the midwife led unit that appeals? The reason I ask is that care can be the same whether it is in MW led unit or not. If the MW led unit is attached to the obstetric unit I can see no reason why you should not be able to give birth there as a paediatrician would be on hand if needed. If midwife led unit is a 'stand alone' one that does not have paediatric input, then i think you would be discouraged from using it. Our MW led unit is attached to the main unit. You can have low intervention in obstetric unit too if that is what you want.

Thanks for your answers.

Well, in our hospital the midwife-led unit is very close to the delivery suite as well, so I suppose they could get me there very quickly if necessary. I was just wondering whether they would want me to have one of those belt thingies on all the time, to monitor the baby closely?

I do get the occasional twinge, but nothing major yet, so it doesn't feel imminent, but then again it could happen very quickly I suppose.
Good luck for your caesarian, waswondering! Will look out for your birth announcement!

More answers much appreciated!!!

Thanks mears, posts crossed there.

I had dd1 in midwife unit and dd2 in delivery suite and it just felt more homely, cosy in the midwife unit, less clinical, that's why I liked it.

Because there is a concern about the baby it is likely that continuous monitoring will be suggested. However, that does not mean it is actually necessary. Depends what you feel about it really.

mears, would the belt thingy have to permanently attached do you think?

Sorry posts crossed again

Atm I feel very brave and optimistic , but then again I wouldn't want to put the baby at risk obviously. Difficult to know what would be the right thing to do.

What I would probably suggest is an initial CTG tracing of 20 minutes. If tracing looks OK you could then have belt off. The thing is though, baby could be listened to intermittently and if there was a problem detected then continuous monitoring could be done. You can still stand or sit on birthing ball when monitored.

Thank you mears, that's very helpful.
Can the monitoring be done in the midwife unit normally?
I had dd1 on a birthing stool, found that very helpful.

with dd1 i had continous monitoring and was told to stay on the bed. with dd3 i was also monitored but i was walking round with the belt on.

We do not do contiuous monitoring in the MW unit - that is because it is meant to be intervention free. That said, we have women use the unit who have had C/S delivery before. Recommendation is that women with previous C/S should have continuous monitoring, however we go by mum's wishes. You can pick up problems with heartbeat by listening in every 15 minutes for a full minute after a contraction, so continuous isn't totally necessary.
Depends what you want to do really.

Thank you again.

Maybe I'll go to the delivery suite and ask for as little intervention as possible.

Just wanted to wish you good luck with everything.

Thank you juule!

I didn't realise you were so imminent emkana. I think about you regularly and wish you loads of luck over the coming weeks.

Emkana, good luck!

Hi Emkana, I've been following your posts but never said anything before as I couldn't help at all. I just wanted to wish you lots of luck and hope that your positive mindset helps you through whatever the next few weeks bring for you.

Have been thinking of you Emkana - sending positive thoughts and very best wishes for a safe and speedy delivery. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers

Take care XXX

Hi Emkana
I'm in a vaguely similar predicament to you in that I know my baby has a heart problem. I also want to give birth in our hospital's MW led unit.
The last time we saw my consultant she sent us up to the unit to speak to the senior MW. This is a large hospital in SW London with the obstetric unit right next door, so any problems and I could be whisked straight over there. Anyway, the MW was not keen. As always these things often come down to them needing to cover their backs legally and not wanting to take risks. We left it that they will assess me when I arrive in labour. My main reason for going to the MW led unit is to avoid continuous monitoring (the fetal cardiologist has said this won't be necessary) and any panicky doctors who may want to speed things up uneccessarily because of the baby's condition.
I'm now 5 days overdue so will hopefully be able to let you know how I get on very soon. However - you could be sooner. Good luck!

emkana, just popping in to wish you good luck. :) Thinking of you and the baby.

Thank you very much!

I'm still here, still haven't packed my bag , and off to hospital again in the morning to assess the situation!

good luck emkama!

good luck and pack that bag xx