Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Childbirth

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

Flip

Original poster

How to give birth on the labour ward?

19 replies

NoseyHelen · 14/04/2008 10:03

My first child was supposed to be a home bypnobirth but we had an elective C-section due to baby being breech.

Pregnant again, I have the choice of the horrible labour ward or a C-Section. I took the labour ward tour at the weekend and could not fathom out where I would position myself. The room was huge but there was just a bed (only to be operated by the midwife, who probably won't be there) and what I'd call a bucket seat for the dad. Birth to me isn't about lying on my back, trying to defy the laws of gravity. I want to be on the floor with cushions and other soft things, leaning on/against something

So, how/where do you give birth in a room like this? Am I missing the obvious?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

madmouse · 14/04/2008 10:40

did you ask about mats and birth balls? they were provided in my hospital. you can bring your own too.

deaconblue · 14/04/2008 11:10

is there no midwife led unit near you? Definitely take cushions and stuff in with you to make it feel better. Is there a bathroom attached, maybe you could think about spending most of the labour in the bath even if you ahve to get out to deliver??

ILikeToMoveItMoveIt · 14/04/2008 11:18

Why not a homebirth this time? It is still an option for you.

If they don't have the equipment you would like you can always take your own.

slinkiemalinki · 14/04/2008 11:21

I gave birth on all fours on the bed, leaning on a pile of pillows. Actually my legs couldn't support me once I needed to push, so standing up wasn't an option anyway.

LynetteScavo · 14/04/2008 11:25

I know what you mean. I needed to be on all fours, but was shouted at to get up onto the bed, as there was glass on the floor aparently.

I had my nest baby at home, on the floor.

Some midwives like you to be on your back on the bed, so they can have a good view.

Why not have a home birth this time?

PearTart · 14/04/2008 12:28

I was on a labour ward but in a nice room with a huge squashy matress and no nasty mechanical bed- I think they called it a low-risk room. Ask if your hosp has one (or more). Or even better a midwife led unit. Every NHS trust should have one- it may depend on how close/ far away it is.

Also ask if they have mats (to kneel on), birthing balls (to lean on/ sit/ bounce on) and other props, eg birthng stools. You may find they have more kit than they were prepared to show you on the tour.

I had mats, ball, a big wedge cushion to lean against etc. I bet they have a cupboard full, and if not take your own ball and pillows.

wb · 14/04/2008 12:35

My room came w. bed, bean bag, crash mat, birthing ball, stool and chair for partner (everything waterproof/wipeable obviously).

I would definitely ask about extras (and if they say no then take your own) cause this sounds woefully under-equipped to me.

In the event I spent a lot of time on the ball and ignored everything else but at least I had the option.

NorthernLurker · 14/04/2008 12:42

They should have mats and balls. I gave birth on the bed kneeling up and leaning over the back.

Original poster

NoseyHelen · 14/04/2008 16:17

Thanks ladies so far for your idea - we'll need a wheelbarrow for the amount of kit we'll have to take in.

Unfortunately they won't let me use the midwife-led birth centre where there would be the extra equipment and they won't support a homebirth so I'm stuck with the labour ward.

I'm seeing the consultant tomorrow so will ask if they could provide the extra equipment - perhaps take it from the birth centre that is literally next door.

OP posts:

lulumama · 14/04/2008 16:20

you are absolutely entitled to have a homebirth or go to the MW led centre

www.aims.org.uk and www.homebirth.org.uk are two good places to start

you can have birth in your terms, if you are making an informed decision to do so

if 'they' wont support you , speak to the supervisor of midwives or consultant midwife.

whomovedmychocolate is planning a home birth after a c,section and has loads of good info about it

hertsnessex · 14/04/2008 16:21

you CAN have a homebirth - equally you CAN take in anything you want - even your own birth pool.

keep positive and i hope it goes well.

frasersmummy · 14/04/2008 16:28

is there a sound medical reason that your consultant doesnt want you to go mw led or homebirth route???

I had to go to our consultant unit due to previous problems

When I arrived in the room I just told them I needed abirthing ball and a mat...

Hey presto they arrived.

Islamum · 14/04/2008 16:31

I gave birth on the bed kneeling over a birthing ball, was also determind not to defy gravity, paced the room until pain really kicked in. Am also a fan of pethidine

whomovedmychocolate · 14/04/2008 16:49

NoseyHelen - I'm having a home VBAC. I too was banned from the midwife unit, yet when I insisted I was having a homebirth lo and behold the rules became flexible. Still having the homebirth thanks but just so you know.

I had an emergency CS after failed induction (for preeclampsia). I've got some fairly obscure complications too but nothing could convince me that I would be better in a busy overcrowded understaffed hospital.

If you don't feel comfortable at the hospital, there's a reason for it (and I'll bet it has very little to do with the furniture either) some places just don't feel right. Personally I feel hospitals are for sick people and pregnancy is not an illness (although it can feel like one)

I would recommend you subscribe to the yahoo home birth uk list - some interesting perspectives on there. There is also a fantastic book on homebirth and one on VBAC....I'll go find some links for you in a sec. Really good for getting the facts to prove to your consultant (who you can decline seeing if you like) that you are not some dippy hippy who doesn't know the facts or the risks.

motherhurdicure · 14/04/2008 16:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

whomovedmychocolate · 14/04/2008 16:52

Righto: this one on homebirth www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1905177062

This one on VBAC (this is a really short book but covers all the basics) www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1904750214

PortAndLemon · 14/04/2008 17:03

I just had a VBAC stayed at home as long as possible, got into hospital at around 9cm dilated, spent a while just wandering around the delivery room (when I'm getting near transition I don't want to be still anywhere, cushions or no cushions and leaning or no leaning) I did end up on the bed for pushing, but on my side (right lateral seemed the most natural position and the one I went for instinctively as I got to fully dilated). Oh, and I didn't have continuous monitoring, or an IV drip, or any of that -- and was out of hospital four hours after the birth (wouldn't have managed tht with a repeat c-section...)

You can use the bed in a whole host of ways other than to lie on your back ... stand on the floor leaning on the bed, get on all fours on the bed, kneel on the bed leaning over the back... And there's nothing to stop you bringing in your own birth ball, if you like it (I tried it during labour first time round and rather unexpectedly hated it). Is there an en-suite bathroom? I wandered in and out of that as I was trying to find a comfortable position and there were various options to explore (I know someone who has home births who always labours on her toilet until very near the end ).

mears always advises that if you tell them that you are going to plan on a home VBAC then magically they stop objecting so much to your using the midwife-led area.

TheDevilWearsPenneys · 14/04/2008 17:06

Be aware that a lot of places won't let you bring in your own cushions, pillows, birthing balls or even let you plug in your own radio. All for quite understandable infection/safety reasons but would be disappointing if you were not aware.

BigBadMouse · 14/04/2008 17:21

You have already had some good advice on here I think.

Just wanted to say that all they have in the room at my labour ward is a bed, sink, little cot for baby, single sofa for DH and a toilet. I think they keep it to the minimum for cleanliness but have other equipment available if you require it.

I spent most of the time on the bed but it was fine - it can be used in many way as previously mentioned. Both my DDs were delivered with me on my side which was fab. Midwives were absolutely fantastic every time always to had when I needed them despite being busy. I think the bed was only supposed to be operated by the midwife too but they were always nearby to help me - plus tbh if noone was availble to alter the bed for me DH would have done it I'm sure (not really the time to be expected to be sitting uncomfortably for any length of time).

Do you know anyone who has had a baby at the hospital - maybe they could help put your mind at rest or help you prepare for labour there - def give them a call and ask about other provisions and if you can bring your own. You need to feel relaxed about this as much as possible.

Good luck

Flip

Swipe left for the next trending thread