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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

What birth would you go for in my circumstances

40 replies

Summersunshineaddict · 31/10/2017 07:49

I have an incredible fear of hospitals/drs/nurses and this will be my first. In an ideal world I would have a lovely event free homebirth but this is not an ideal world.

So I need to consider the following, the MLU is around 45mins to an hour away (fab reputation!), homebirth with acceptance I may have to transfer in (terrible reputation at hospital, homebirth team have a good one), push for a c section under the grounds that if I'm in hospital and I'm not listened to and get very scared I don't know what will happen and I know I will have a high bp as I'll be scared so they may want to do more monitoring (it could be fine it could not be who knows!!) And at least then I will know what will happen. Yes it's major surgery but I'd have a feeling of knowing what is happening, time to get my head around it etc....or any other ideas anyone has????

OP posts:

RidingMyBike · 31/10/2017 16:50

I found hypnobirthing useful for calming fears in the run up to the birth but not much use once I was actually in labour. It’s worth doing for the calmer feeling beforehand though.

NameChange30 · 31/10/2017 18:15

That was my experience too Riding

YouCantArgueWithStupid · 31/10/2017 18:18

Sorry if I missed the OP but have you been told you’d be allowed on the MLU? Have you any complications in your pregnancy?

Original poster

Summersunshineaddict · 31/10/2017 18:32

Definitely sold on the hypnobirthing idea! So far so good and complication free, it's early days though so it could change

OP posts:

Flisspaps · 31/10/2017 19:18

Bear in mind the transfer threshold from Home or MLU is pretty low, and the transfer time is used to prep theatre and assemble the appropriate team.

I’ve had an induction in hospital which ended in theatre on the same CLU and two years later a transfer in from home (30 minutes normal travel time) with blue lights to get to theatre in the same hospital as my first birth.

It was quicker getting me into theatre from the moment that the decision was made with the second baby.

Original poster

Summersunshineaddict · 31/10/2017 20:34

Oh that's interesting to know, thank You!

OP posts:

TuckingFaxman · 31/10/2017 22:00

Is there an MLU inside the hospital? May be worth considering if so. They should have the same calm atmosphere that you like in the FMLU 45 minutes away.

Original poster

Summersunshineaddict · 31/10/2017 22:14

Unfortunately not, it's just a hospital set up otherwise I would have gone for that option

OP posts:

TuckingFaxman · 31/10/2017 22:21

How annoying. Hospital MLUs can be such a great middle ground for first timers wanting unmedicated.

NameChange30 · 31/10/2017 22:34

I don't think it makes much difference really, whether the MLU is stand-alone or attached to a hospital, they are likely to transfer you to the delivery unit at the slightest sign of any potential complication. Only consideration is distance between stand-alone MLU and nearest hospital. And I suppose the risk of completely unforeseen emergency (but I believe those are very rare).

Original poster

Summersunshineaddict · 01/11/2017 07:31

Just been researching and the nearest MLU attached to a hospital is over an hour away. I can't believe how bad the options are in this area actually!!

The time from the freestanding MLU to a hospital is longer than from home

OP posts:

Ausparent · 01/11/2017 07:38

I totally get the wavering.

We planned a home birth for our first and even though we transferred to hospital I still think it was the right choice for me. If you have to transfer, your midwife goes with you so you have someone with you who knows both the medical side and your concerns so can help you make decisions.

The second was breach so a planned c section which was great in terms of low stress but the recovery was much longer and harder.

With our third we can't try a home birth but we are paying a midwife to come to the house, help me through the early stages and stay with me when we transfer to hospital. This is partly because we are abroad and I want to ensure I totally understand any medical decisions I may have to make.

FWIW IIWY I would plan a home birth. If it works out it is the best option from what you have said and if it doesn't your midwife can help a and support you through the transfer.

Ausparent · 01/11/2017 07:45

I would also add that the midwives transfer you at the slightest sign of to. Our baby was not at all in distress but they felt it had been too long pushing and didn't want to take any risks. It does increase your chances of a transfer but reduces the risks one of the earlier posters was concerned about re. Transfer times

TuckingFaxman · 01/11/2017 08:13

OP, as well as the things you mention, could there be the option of giving birth in the CLU but under the care of midwives? And plan for some of the things you would get in the MLU like dimmed lights, music etc? Just wondering as it seems less drastic than ELCS (though of course would 100% support any request for entirely elective section too). Perhaps you could speak to someone about it? I can't believe they have no hospital MLU, that's so shit!

Original poster

Summersunshineaddict · 01/11/2017 08:16

Oh I didn't realise the same midwife stays with you if you transfer in, that's a massive selling point!

It's more the incredibly high intervention rate at the hospital and the very negative reviews I've heard from friends as well as just online. There's only 1 pool in a large hospital and they're also well known for trying to make you labour on your back

OP posts:

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