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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

Whether to go to birth centre: no epidural

38 replies

likeacrow · 20/02/2017 22:36

I'm 38 + 3 and have been planning on going to the MLU/birth centre as it's 5 mins away as opposed to the nearest hospital maternity unit which is more like 20. It also seems like a nicer atmosphere, more one on one attention, etc. However now my due date is getting nearer and shit's getting real I'm starting to think maybe I just go for the hospital as the birth centre doesn't do epidurals. I could be transferred if I decided I needed one but by then it could be too late. I am not at all arsed about a "natural birth", I just want whatever is best/easiest/safest at the time. I think I was originally sold by the proximity of the birth centre and the fact that it seems like a less stressful environment than a hospital. I am anxious I won't cope with the pain however.

What would you do??
Thanks in advance... Oh, first pregnancy obviously.

OP posts:

TheresABluebirdOnMyShoulder · 21/02/2017 11:00

I totally agree with Aye. Our local hospital and MLU are on the same site so it was an easy decision - give the MLU a bash and if needed a quick whizz down the corridor to consult led ward. As it happened, it all went a bit pear shaped and in the end I had an emergency C section. It would have been terrifying if I had needed to be blue lighted 20 minutes across town for that. So I would never use an MLU that wasn't on hospital grounds. I just don't think it's worth the risk.

I would also say, don't get too hung up on hospitals being awful, stressful environments. I used to think that, but being in labour is an experience like no other and I found that I was just so focussed on what was happening that I wasn't really aware of my surroundings too much. It was more about the people who were supporting me, and they were just as brilliant on the consultant ward and in theatre as they were on the MLU.

FormerlyFrikadela01 · 21/02/2017 11:04

It kind of annoys me that women are forced into this decision. I was luccky that had I chosen the birthcentre it is on the same floor as the labour ward (induced in the end). But my sister was told that if she chose the birth centre then the average wait for an ambulance to the labour ward (30 minutes away) was at least 4 hours unless it was deemed an emergency. She ended up choosing the labour ward just in case she wanted the pain relief, which she never had in the end.

Good luck with whatever you choose but If you think even slightly that you might want an epidural I'd go for the labour ward.

Original poster

likeacrow · 21/02/2017 11:16

TheresABluebirdOnMyShoulder
"I would also say, don't get too hung up on hospitals being awful, stressful environments. I used to think that, but being in labour is an experience like no other and I found that I was just so focussed on what was happening that I wasn't really aware of my surroundings too much. It was more about the people who were supporting me, and they were just as brilliant on the consultant ward and in theatre as they were on the MLU."

Excellent advice. I hadn't thought of it that way, thank you.

OP posts:

soundsystem · 21/02/2017 11:39

Have you visited both? I'd have a tour of the labour ward. I'd see how it compares to the MLU in terms of stressiness/busy-ness. Labour wards are always hotter than the face of the sun, which is enough on its own to put me off! I think in the MLU you get more control?

What's your pain threshold like? If you think you might want an epidural it seems sensible to be in the hospital as transferring could be stressful and you might not get there in time to have one?

Not all labours are mega-painful, though: My first one really wasnt. My second - which was back to back - was immensely so, but only for about the last 10 minutes, so there was no time to get me any pain relief anyway!

Good luck whatever you decide!

Oly5 · 21/02/2017 11:49

There's no way I'd give birth in an MLU. The pain is horrendous and I want an epidural every time. I also want to be close to specialist facilities/operating theatres for if things go wrong.

Original poster

likeacrow · 21/02/2017 11:55

soundsystem I haven't but I have been in the maternity triage unit at the same hospital. It was nice tbh; clean and lovely staff. My pain threshold is pretty low. I'm soft.

OP posts:

Okite · 21/02/2017 12:00

Statistically you are more likely to labour and not need an epidural than to need one - the rate of women having an epidural is about 30%.

I've got three children and my labours were all easy and manageable. Even with a drip induction for the first, I didn't need anything other than gas and air and didn't use anything other than the birthing pool for the others. Labour isn't always horrendous.

SittingAround1 · 21/02/2017 12:11

I don't wish to scare you but I wanted as natural birth as possible but ended up begging for an epidural which I got.
What happens at the MLU if you need a cesarean?

Original poster

likeacrow · 21/02/2017 14:25

SittingAround1 I would have to transfer to hospital.

Tbh I've pretty much decided hospital it is. Had an appointment today and been booked in for an indication on the 13th if she doesn't come naturally before then, which would have to be in the hospital not the MLU anyway. Also asked midwife advice and my midwife sister in law's advice : all lean towards hospital (for first birth for someone with no aversion to taking all the drugs necessary!)

OP posts:

Original poster

likeacrow · 21/02/2017 14:25

Induction!

OP posts:

OpalIridescence · 21/02/2017 14:37

My back to back four day labour was totally missed by all involved right up until dd was wrenched out sunnyside up (in answer to a question upthread)

Op no one can answer this for you every birth is different every women is different. I agree it is a shame to have to make this decision and really MLU should be sited on or near hospital grounds to make any transfer easy.

All things considered, if you are not committed to the birth pool etc then for a first baby go to hospital.

Whatever you decide, I hope all goes well x

MollyCule · 21/02/2017 16:19

I also was going to add that in the labour ward I had one on one care and felt very looked after. I think the most important thing is that you feel safe. All the best.

Sandsnake · 21/02/2017 17:52

I agree that it's bullshit women should need to even make the decision. Why can't the amenities from the MLU be in labour wards too? It's almost like the calming atmosphere and comfortable rooms are being dangled like a reward for not having an epidural. Grrr!

Best of luck, OP. In your shoes I would opt for the hospital.

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