Been told I can't go to birthing unit?

[Lauraandbump2]

My due date is in 6 days and when I went to see my midwife last week, she informed me that because of my previous labour which resulted in episiotomy and forceps, I have to go to labour suite rather than birthing unit and won't be able to have a water birth? As I will need to be closely monitored.

I'm gutted as I really want this labour to be as different to my last one as possible. I didn't want to be strapped to a bed with all the monitors and wanted to be able to move around freely.

Obviously if the baby was in any distress then I would do exactly as they say! But was just wondering if anyone has gone against what has been advised? And if they will actually let you if you tell them?

I’ve never heard of a previous instrumental meaning you need to be more closely monititored or not being able to go to a midwifery led unit. Did you bleed much afterwards?

I would question this again (there's still plenty of time). I had a forceps plus episiotomy first labour in major teaching hospital for DS1 but DS2 was a water birth in Midwife unit less than a mile away from home. No intrusive monitoring. So I'm sure you have wider options.

Thought you'd said 6 weeks not 6 days! Ok so not plenty of time but something that can be addressed. How far away is your closest major hospital if you needed to transfer?

Total rubbish! I had an episiotomy and forceps in the delivery unit first time round and a home water birth second time round. Midwives didn't object at all to my home birth plan. Round here almost anyone can get into birth centre, even if very high risk, but you'd need to be prepared to sign something saying you knew it wasn't recommended, and probably have to speak to supervisor of Midwives.

Agreed. I had awful first birth with bleed, forceps and episiotomy but fine to have straightforward second birth (and it was). I was under a gynaecologist though who was wonderfully helpful.

Go back and query. And good luck op

I had monitoring all the way through the labour with my third due to first 2 being prem and midwife saying 'we might as well keep it on just in case if you're used to it the other times'.
I'm so glad they did as they may not have otherwise picked up when he got distressed and they had to break waters to get him out quickly if they hadn't been monitoring the whole time.

I've seen what can go wrong 3 times and would rather have the monitoring if its offered personally than risk something going wrong and then thinking 'what if' after.

That sounds like rubbish. I'd strongly request the birthing unit. Point out the reasons, prepare for the argument, bring support (DP or a relative who can stay calm and help). The second birth is the least risky one of all. Episiotomy does not mean you will need close monitoring; in fact, the chance of you needing an episiotomy again is much smaller.

Good luck.

What was your blood loss? Previous forceps isn't reason enough to not be allowed access to MLU! I'd defo recheck that!

Hmm. It seems very late to be told this if it was really critical - have your birth plans been discussed earlier? I think the main thing to consider though, is if something starts to go wrong, is help in range? I'd be concerned about a stand-along birth unit without medical cover, but a unit within a fully staffed hospital would seem reasonably ok in this scenario.

When I was born, my mother had to have forceps and I was pretty bruised etc. (also over 8 lb at 5 weeks early...) She put at least some of that down to having had an epidural and was keen to avoid one when my sister was born, despite her obstetrician advising she needed it. She was induced by having her waters broken at 36 weeks, and "just kept quiet" through a fairly rapid labour. She actually ended up with shoulder dystocia as my sister was bigger than suspected (nearly 9 lb), and although they "got away with it" with no harm done, it could have been very different.

Ask more questions, hope you can get advice that you can feel happy with, specific to the details of what happened to you first time. Best wishes!

I also think that sounds wrong. I had epidural/episiotomy/forceps last time and haven’t been told that means I can’t be midwife led. (In fact the opposite - I was consultant led last time due to a medical condition but because I’ve had no issues with it they’ve actually said I can be midwife led this time.)

My instinct is that regardless of what you say now they’ll still put you in a room. I wanted everything natural but because of my fibroid I ended up in a room each time. To be honest I didn’t mind once I was in labour, I just wanted my babies delivered safely.

@MNscum I did bleed heavily afterwards, not enough for a transfusion but had to stay in recovery room over night till following morning before given the clear to go up to post natal ward. Maybe that is why. She never really explained it could be because of that

@AlsoKnownAsMillicent Yes just 6 days now! and been offered a sweep tomorrow. The birthing unit and labour suite are within the same hospital luckily.

@bluebunnyblue Glad you got a better birth second time round, I am willing to sign, I will enquire tomorrow. Fingers X!

Thanks @800msprint @carboholic.

@SleepFreeZone I didn't question it until I see some MN users on here mentioning how different their labours were.

Hope you get what you want OP - great that the MLU and DU are on the same site. In our case the MLU and DU are just different floors of the same building, so minimal extra risk of going for the MLU here too.

Really sad that they've left it so late to tell you but this is very standard. They are totally risk adverse and won't risk harm to you, your baby and subsequent litigation.

I was desperate for a water birth but as so overdue and needed induction so I wasn't allowed to be in the midwife led centre
In retrospect I'm very fortunate I wasn't there in the end, as I'm certain my baby wouldn't have survived and I was able to be transferred to icu quicker

Anyway I'm not meaning to put the shitters up you I'm just saying that the most important thing is that you and baby are ok so try not to be too upset if it doesn't happen......x

Yes, sounds to me like it was because of bleeding. Anything over 500mls counts as a pph and generally rules you out of the midwifery led unit as you’re more at risk of bleeding again next time.

If its any help, I started off in the MLU but was transferred to the labour ward as I was dehydrated and was having syntocinon (sp?) drip as my labour had stalled. So I was hooked up with two drips into my hand plus the monitor around my tummy. I barely spent any time on the bed (I pushed lying down for about 20 seconds then decided that was crap). I spent most of my time walking back and forth as far as I could with the monitor/drip, leaning over the bed (dd was back to back) and ended up giving birth squatting on the floor. Midwives also brought in the bouncy ball and birthing stool from the MLU when I asked (they were next door to each other so easy).

@bluebunnyblue thank you, I wouldn't try to push for it if they were separate but it is reassuring that the other unit is only a corridor away.

@useruserbored No not at all. Wise words. Safe delivery comes first, just think being strapped laying down (unless absolutely neccessary) doesn't help you progress and think that was half the problem last time!

@MNscum I didn't realise this.

@Dogsrbarking That's given me hope, thank you!

At no stage was I strapped to the bed ......the leads to the monitors were really long so I could still move about the room x

@useruserbored that's made me feel so much better knowing, thanks for posting.

Why don't you go and have a tour of the maternity unit/birth suite. It may make you feel so much better x take care x

You can still move freely and give birth in your preferred position (unless circumstances dictate otherwise) in the labour ward.

I had an episiotomy and forceps for DC1 and birthing pool in midwife led unit for DC 2. So that's utter rubbish.