Did anyone have an independent midwife at a hospital birth?

[Jammingjammingjamjam]

Did anyone have an independent midwife at a hospital birth? If so, what did she do? Did you find it useful? Would you recommend? I'm high risk so need to have a hospital birth. For DC1 the hospital was understaffed and the midwife missed some signs of distress in DC and DC was consequently put in danger. All worked out in the end but for DC2 I want some extra emotional support and would feel safer if there is someone who can offer advice and a second opinion. So I'm considering an independent midwife rather than a doula. Just wondering if this is something that could work and if anyone has tried it before. I'm fully aware that the independent midwife can't perform midwife duties in hospital, however it gives me comfort that she might notice and be able to fight my corner if anything risky was happening again. Anyone got any thoughts?

Independent Midwives support women with risk factors in hospital everyday, this is their bread and butter! They are able to negotiate birth plans, ensure the environment is optimal in order to promote natural oxytocin production, keep the room quiet and calm. Whether an Independent Midwife is allowed to work clinically in the hospital or not and some are, they are always accountable. That means if they see or hear something that gives them a concern they have a duty to act on it. For instance if they had concerns over a fetal heart trace they couldn't just ignore it. They would need to discuss it with the midwife or doctor and escalte if necessary. Hospitals recognise the contribution independent midwives make and are including them in care planning etc. All health care professionals need to work together putting the woman at the centre of the care. If this isn;t the philosophy of your hospital I might consider going somewhere else.

This sounds promising for me. A bit of extra reassurance is what I need after last time. Didn't realise some of them can work in the hospital. I guess I will have to ask locally to find that out.