Birthing centre/Midwide led unit experiences

[Teakind]

Hello, I'm due my third baby soon and after two relatively straight forward births in the main delivery suite in the hospital, I'm considering the midwife led unit this time.

After my previous two births I felt quite rushed as they wanted to move me to the postnatal ward quite quickly. I've read that if you give birth in the midwife led unit you can stay in the room until you're discharged (which is usually around 6 hours).

Has anyone used a maternity led unit who wouldn't mind sharing their experiences please? Did you feel rushed? Was it a more relaxed birthing experience? Did they monitor the baby frequently?

Thanks in advance

[annlee3817]

I used a midwife led unit, I just have the one child, so nothing to compare it too, but once DD was born and the few stitches I needed were done, we were given tea and toast, I gave her a first feed which took around 45 mins then had a shower and dozed for a bit, think we were on the ward after a few hours, I don't remember feeling rushed though and was happy to go, it was a nice experience

[F1rstt1imer]

I’ve had two babies both on the same midwife led unit (1 pre COVID and 1 in jan this year) both were very relaxed and we were discharged straight from our room there both times, 5hrs after my first baby and 8 hrs after my second baby. I can’t compare it to being on delivery suite but I found it good

[Teakind]

@annlee3817 did they transfer you to postnatal because you were there for a while or is that standard procedure so the birthing room is available for someone else?

@F1rstt1imer that’s great they let you stay in there for a decent amount of time. 8 hours is enough time to have a nap as well.

Do they do newborn checks or did you have to take the baby to a doctor at a spectate appointment?

[annlee3817]

I could have been discharged then and there but I opted to stay in the night to get help with breastfeeding, hence the transfer to post natal, but I think they did want to free up the room after a few hours, but never felt pressured

[F1rstt1imer]

@Teakind First time as my DD was dish charged at 5hrs I had a midwife come and do her newborn check at home the next day and had to take her to outpatients for her hearing check. For my DS they did his newborn check and hearing check and we were discharged afterwards

[kneecapper]

It depends how busy they are, they may need your room so will have to move you to postnatal. Or they may not!