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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Consultant led care and giving birth at Midwife led unit -is it possible?

11 replies

LexiLexi · 17/09/2015 13:35

Hi just interested in whether anyone has managed to negotiate MLU when under consultant led care?

I have had a previous EMCS but this time round everything is low risk other than this and baby head down, etc at 35 weeks. Have spoken to my Community Midwife and she has said a flat no for the Birth Centre, which is based right next to the Delivery Suite at the hospital (Worcester Royal). Wondering if Gloucester MLU might accept me as a plan b if anyone's been there in a similar situation?

Any tips on negotiating with consultants much appreciated! Also is it worth contacting the Supervisor of Midwives for a 2nd opinion? Thanks in advance

OP posts:

ThomasRichard · 17/09/2015 13:44

You can ask for an appointment with the birth options consultant midwife, who will make a final decision after considering all your options and reviewing your notes.

I was under consultant care and went this way: I got a letter in my notes saying I could use the MLU.

Kriek · 17/09/2015 14:00

I did. I needed to set my case to both the Consultant and Senior Midwife. They both agreed that despite my need for care I was a suitable candidate to use the birth centre.

duckbilled · 17/09/2015 16:07

I did. I pushed all the way through this pregnancy that I wanted to use the mlu and finally the consultant signed off that I could. Although I have been warned that they will be even more vigilant in checking blood pressure, heart rate etc. on admission and I may be bounced to the labour ward. However it looks like this baby is going to have to be induced anyway, but at least I have fought my corner!

Original poster

LexiLexi · 17/09/2015 22:07

Thank you ladies, great advice that gives me hope! As far as I can see, the only increased risk I have is of scar rupture from the EMCS and as I understand it that is quite a small risk, especially given there will be 2.5 years between my 2 DCs

OP posts:

Brummiegirl15 · 20/09/2015 13:11

Hi Lexi, I'm at Worcester Royal too, also under consultant care

Who is your consultant if you don't mind me asking? The list for the Meadows is very strict but my consultant said if I wanted to go in the Meadows then he'd speak to the supervisor of midwives.

Meadows is opt- out so all low risk women at Worcester automatically are Meadows unless for whatever reason they have a risk element.

I honestly would speak to your consultant. My appt is at 32 weeks to discuss how my baby is going to be delivered. If you want the Meadows, push for it!

Original poster

LexiLexi · 21/09/2015 10:04

Hi Brummiegirl

Thanks so much for the message and support. My consultant is Ms Kumar. Seems to have set ideas- when we have met on previous occasions, she just says you will be doing x because of y and proceeds to write it in the notes :-/

I am guessing you have a different consultant! 36 week appointment on Weds, will see how that goes and maybe seek a second opinion. I have mentioned wanting to go MLU previously but held off having a battle til now as had pre-eclampsia with my first and there was always the risk that it would happen again with this one.

Very best of luck with your 32 week appointment, hope you manage to get into Meadows, be great to hear how you get on, if you are able to post back here or pm me!

OP posts:

notaprincessbutaqueen · 23/09/2015 14:04

my midwife told me a flat no to the MLU which is at the same hospital as the standard labour ward (i believe its just the floor below) but i'm going to ask my consultant so fingers crossed.
I had an emcs with dd almost 12 years ago. I was overdue, induced but it didn't work and she was starting to get distressed. I've had 2 vbac's since, perfect labours and births, not had any tears so i really don't see how i can still be judged as 'high risk'.
I actually want a homebirth but that's probably pushing it!

AmberLav · 25/09/2015 14:33

My consultant seems to be pushing back any decision until 38 weeks, which I am a bit annoyed by, as I know I will only get the MLU if he signs the form, but because I haven't seen my correct midwife yet, I didn't have the form to stick under his nose to make him sign...

The thing is, I don't have any risk factors that I didn't have when I was allowed to deliver my second at the MLU, so I can't see why I wouldn't be allowed to, but consultants seem to be a law unto themselves...

Duggee · 25/09/2015 14:37

Start telling them you'll be having a home birth. They cannot stop you and can only advise you to come into hospital. I think 2 mins of you standing your ground and you'll be I. The mlu!

happypotamus · 28/09/2015 13:56

I have twice. I was consultant-led due to a pre-existing medical condition, which didn't actually cause me any problems during my pregnancies. The first time I spoke to the consultant, he spoke to the MW in charge of the MLU and I got an appointment to discuss it with her. The second time I asked the Dr then the MW phoned me to confirm it was ok. This was in a hospital where the MLU is just along the corridor from the consultant-led labour ward.

poocatcherchampion · 07/10/2015 21:20

I'm not much help but to say I think I had Mrs Kumar recently and she had written in my notes that she discussed the detail of sterilisation with me (3rd csection). She had to cross it out when in my 5 min appt I gave her a when she said the word sterilisation. We want another child!

We are not at the royal - at the Alex. But I believe worcs have a high level of interventions and c sections.

I know nothing about gloucs.

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