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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

talk to me about giving birth on the labour ward.

56 replies

RedPony · 03/07/2014 13:21

I'm 38+4 and at my last midwife appointment my midwife has said when I go into labour I need to go straight to labour ward and not to the mlu as I have had high blood pressure a few times last week (no other issues apart from horrendous ms and spd).
I'm absolutely gutted as I was really hoping to give birth on the midwife led unit and was hoping for a water birth.
Please talk to me about your experiences of giving birth on the labour ward and how relaxed was it? Will I still be seen by midwifes or will it all be doctors and consultants? I was really calm.about giving birth before but now I'm dreading it :(

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DinoSnores · 06/07/2014 20:53

You'll only see a doctor if there are problems. The midwives will carry on looking after you as they would. It is just that the room won't be quite as pretty as the ones in the midwife-led unit.

I've delivered at home and at the delivery unit and was very pleased with the care in both places. The midwives on the delivery unit were very supportive of my desire to keep active, until they had problems with the CTG and had to attach a fetal scalp monitor which meant I did need to sit on the bed, but it was all explained to me nicely and was all very lovely.

WineSpider · 06/07/2014 21:16

I developed high BP at 36+2 which was monitored every other day in hospital plus a two night overnight stay on the antenatal ward during week 37. At 38+2 I was induced as my BP began to pose a risk, and I eventually gave birth at 38+6 in the delivery suite.

I had been to NCT classes and done a tour of the lovely new MLU with its beanbags, couches and pools. It wasn't to be!

I was hooked up to several drips but managed to keep active using a chair and ball, plugged in speakers for my playlist (!) and made myself comfortable with g&a and diamorphine.

I did have involvement from a doctor due to concerns about DD at one point, but in the end I gave birth on all fours with no damage or intervention.

Felt safe, supported and well looked after.

Out of about 15 friends who have had babies in the past year only one I can think of had the supposedly 'ideal' water birth.

In my experience it is entirely possible to have a positive birth along with the appropriate level of medical involvement.

Good luck.

AnythingNotEverything · 06/07/2014 21:47

Dino - DD had a scalp monitor and I was still allowed to move around freely. Just had to lie still while they out it on.

DinoSnores · 06/07/2014 21:53

We tried that, Anything, and it kept coming off. I grow very hairy babies, so that was possibly why it wouldn't stay on!

AnythingNotEverything · 06/07/2014 21:57

Fair enough - worth noting though at scalp monitor does not equal being strapped to a bed!

Stars66 · 06/07/2014 22:03

I had a lovely water birth in the labour ward, 2 midwives in there (the 2nd only came in as the 1st one said they don't have many water births in there and could her friend come and see!!)
The reason I was told to go to labour ward not MLU was my bmi was 30 at the beginning of my pregnancy. I was only told at 35 weeks and got very upset as had my heart set on water birth.
They were excellent and the birth itself was fab. Just as I imagined it would be, amazing getting to meet dd.
Then my placenta wouldn't come out and I had to have a spinal in theatre to get it, so would of ended up there anyway.
Don't stress, wrote down your birth plan and discuss how it can still be put into action on labour ward. And mostly, good luck!!!

DinoSnores · 06/07/2014 22:27

And I didn't say, anything, that I was "strapped to a bed" which never actually happens, but rather than that I had to "sit on the bed", as opposed to bouncing on the birthing ball or pacing around that I had been doing before.

AnythingNotEverything · 06/07/2014 22:34

Dino - I just wanted to clarify (in a post about an OP fearing a hospital, non MLU birth) that a foetal scalp monitor does not mean the feared strapped to a bed on your back scenario many of us want to avoid.

You didn't say "strapped to a bed" but that's what I took your post to mean and I'm sure others might too. You concede you mean sat in the bed rather than walking around, and I think it's useful on a thread like this to offer an alternative experience.

DinoSnores · 07/07/2014 07:25

And I think using hyperbole like you've done again with "strapped to a bed on your back" as opposed to an active out of bed labour is unreasonable, given that there are often good reasons for being on a bed during labour and I've never yet seen anyone being strapped into a bed for labour, which is far more scaremongering on a thread like this.

AnythingNotEverything · 07/07/2014 08:22

Did I accidentally stumble into AIBU?

theborrower · 07/07/2014 11:39

I had a VBAC (vaginally birth after caeserean) last week. I was told I couldn't use the MLU and would have to continuously monitored etc. I had wanted telemetry monitoring (mobile and waterproof) and fancied using a pool, but when it came to it I got the last room going which didn't have a pool and there were no mobile monitors left. So I laboured on the bed with wires attached, just how I didn't fancy it, especially as I was worried it would lead to intervention, but you know what.., it was totally fine!!

I was more than happy to drape myself over the back of the bed to relax between contractions, and you would have had to prise the tens machine off me. When it came to it, it all seemed quite natural that way, if you see what I mean, and the birth was amazing. I wouldn't change it.

I understand you may be disappointed, but I think it helps yo go with the flow. You can still create a nice atmosphere with music etc, so remember to take an iPod and speaker etc.

Original poster

RedPony · 07/07/2014 18:10

Thanks everyone you have made me feel a lot better. Well it looks like I have no choice now :( went to my midwife appointment and my bp was 150/110 so got sent straight to the maternity unit. I'm being induced tomorrow so at least I will have a baby soon :) they wanted me to stay in overnight but I was getting stressed and want a good night sleep seeing as tonight will probably be the last night I get a chance to sleep for months. I have to go back first thing in the morning for induction

OP posts:

PastaandCheese · 07/07/2014 18:28

That makes sense redpony with your readings. I was down for induction with my first but was already 40 weeks and went into labour naturally.

Prepare yourself for an overnight stay after the baby is born as they will probably want to keep an eye on your BP.

Good luck tomorrow.

TurquoiseCat · 07/07/2014 18:36

Hi redpony,

Just wanted to say, it's probably better being in the labour ward if you have bp issues - I started labour at the mlu, and then had to be transferred 10 miles to the labour ward due to high bp (though I was fine throughout the pregnancy). Ambulances are not comfortable, especially when you're being told NOT to push!

The midwife I got on the labour ward was absolutely fantastic, she was even elbowing frantically to keep the doctor away from examining me so I could give birth without intervention (though after three hours of pushing, I would have gladly accepted anything)!

Good luck tomorrow, and just remember that this is the tiniest part of being a parent - all the real fun starts once they're out!

Original poster

RedPony · 07/07/2014 18:45

Thanks :) they said it is definately pre eclampsia and il have to stay in for at least 24 hours after to be monitored (hence why I wanted to come home for tonight!) But I'm hoping all will be ok and we will be allowed out ASAP.

OP posts:

MoominKoalaAndMiniMoom · 07/07/2014 22:35

I gave birth on the labour ward after a loooong induction. The only times I saw doctors was when an anaesthetist needed to be called in to sort out a cannula (and only because on the midwife's sixth attempt there was a clot in the vein and it needed to be flushed, because my veins are wank), and when, after an hour and a half of stitching, they had to call in the doctor for half an hour to finish off. The delivery was done completely by two midwives.

I danced and sang in the delivery room (at one point the midwives were singing along to Hakuna Matata with us), had a massive bath in the en-suite which I got into as soon as I'd had the skin to skin and she'd been taken to SCBU for a heel prick (not as standard; they threw her placenta away before checking if she was Rhesus neg like me) and I had the most amazing bath.

Although I do think they're used to screamers. It was only when I told them I'd needed a poo for the last hour that they checked and realised I was 10cm and DD's head was already coming out, they thought I was still about 6cm because I was still singing and hallucinating

Boogles91 · 08/07/2014 02:24

There not as bad as you think. I had our lil boy yesterday in labour ward, was started off friday. They took care of me and my room had air con in it so i was cool. I had spot lights so it would help with the mood and a radio if i wanted it on. My bed was very comfy and the midwives were fantastic. I did my best to listen to everything they were telling me and they let me have my gas and air all the time. I did try to stop it for a while but i couldnt, and poor hubby....i grabbed hold if him round the neck and pulled him in all of sudden :p i was aloud to rest for 4 hrs before getting up and about and after id had a shower and been toilet ok was left to it in my delivery suite until there was room on the maternity ward :) i guess if u choose to go home then you can but all in all i loved the labour ward x

ScarlettSahara · 08/07/2014 02:46

Try and relax Red Pony. When I had my DD the midwives could not have been nicer on labour ward. They thought I might need forceps but suggested changes of position etc and DD arrived with me on all fours on the bed and her gazing up at me so expect the best and think about the lovely bundle you will have!

Singsongmama · 08/07/2014 03:48

Try not to get caught up in the name....it's still going to offer the most important things for you and your baby. I was In MLU then transferred to labour ward. It was undoubtedly the very best place for me to be. I wasn't even due to be at hospital but was induced eventually - I was so sad then angry then disappointed but it came to a point when I just accepted it and "let go"of my original plan and it made the whole thing easier. You are still totally in control of your labour - very best wishes and good luck.

DinoSnores · 08/07/2014 21:40

Popping in to find out if there was baby news, so I hope all is well and that you've now got your newborn baby in your arms and that you can get home soon!

Stars66 · 08/07/2014 23:21

Me too, came along hoping to hear of a lovely new arrival!
Hope all went well OP. Lots of love and tiny baby hugs

bumpbangbump · 09/07/2014 13:46

Hope all is well and you had a fab birth however it happened!

Original poster

RedPony · 09/07/2014 14:25

He arrived at 4.30 this morning weighing 6lb5 after a very quick labour. Have had lots of snuggles this morning but he's a bit chilly at the moment so has been put in the incubator for a while to warm up

OP posts:

PastaandCheese · 09/07/2014 16:42

Congratulations! Well done!

DinoSnores · 09/07/2014 17:34

Well done! Hope he's back to you very soon. Congratulations! If you have time at some point, I'm sure that I'm not alone in wanting to hear his birth story. just very nosy!

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