What Is the Domino Scheme?

[Bekki]

I had a horrible experience with my first labour, it was nothing to do with the pain although that didn't help matters, for some strange reason I became terrified of my surroundings when I was in hospital and I felt completely out of control. I hoped for a home birth with my second baby but I realised that if anything went wrong I would never forgive myself. My mother-in-law suggested that the 'domino scheme' might be the best thing for me. Can anyone explain this to me or have any experience of this type of birthing situation? Is this provided for by the NHS or would it involve a hefty bill?

It's provided by the nhs Bekki. Basically it's a way of staying at home until as late as possible then transferring to hospital to deliver. It also means that if by any chance you can't make it to hospital in time (as with me twice!) they are usually prepared to deliver at home.

Oh thanks for the info. I hope I don't come under any resistance when I mention this to my midwive. Did you ideally want a home birth or were the labours too quick?

With a domino scheme, the midwife attends you at home when you go into labour until you both feel it's time to go into hospital. She'll come with you into hospital to deliver the baby, and then go home with you afterwards (asap after baby is born.) It's a good compromise between a home birth and a hospital one.

The snag is the scheme is only offered in certain areas. But you can cheat by opting for a home birth, and then "deciding" to go into hospital at the last minute (which was always your intention, but they don't need to know that, do they?)

I had similar feelings to you during my second pregnancy. My first labour ended in a ventouse delivery, due to what I now believe to be excessive intervention at every stage - at the time I just did as I was told, thinking they knew best. And I know what you mean about feeling everything is out of your control.

Second time around I didn't know what I wanted, except for a completely different experience from first time. This time I decided to be more prepared and booked NCT antenatal classes. I toyed with the idea of a "cheat" domino delivery, as we don't have the scheme where I live. But in the end I opted for a wonderful homebirth.

I never thought I would have - being the sort of person that forsees every type of disaster scenario - but the more I read up on homebirth, the more I knew it was for me. (And I am not a risk-taking person, believe me. It's just that, in the end, for me being in hospital seemed the greater risk.)

Oh dear, I seem to have rambled on a bit. I'm not suggesting that for you a homebirth is the right choice. Just that you should get as much information as you possibly can, on which to make your decision. I don't think you realise before your first just how much the labour and birth will affect you afterwards - and it doesn't have to be a full scale medical emergency to be hugely traumatic.

Yes its hard to explain my feelings at the time but as soon as they broke my waters (I was induced) I felt extremely vulnerable. I was extremely lucky to have a healthy boy and I understood how over worked the nurses were but I felt totally victimised (I'm a youngish mum, 21 now) and isolated from my husband and family. The more I insisted that I go home the longer they kept me in. It sounds silly but I was traumatised for weeks afterwards and still have recurring dreams. I am beginning to realise that a home birth is really the only option, lets hope it won't mess my carpets up. Plastic shhets a must!

Well I had planned for a full on give me all the drugs you can type of birth for my first child but she came too quickly and was delivered by the "flying squad" at home. So after that with subsequent births I told the midwives and they booked me for a domino each time ( although they might be called something else in your area ). Managed to be away for the birth of my second, only made it to hospital with 3 mins to spare. Third was born at home too, and with the 4th I went in early to be induced,because there was a big risk of me delivering unattended as my labours were geting so quick. I have to say though that the home births were a lot nicer, and I couldn't wait to get out of hospital with the others.

Bekki, even if your area doesn't do Domino deliveries they may offer a very similar scheme run by your Communty midwives. One of them comes to the hospital and delivers the baby and then all being well, you can go home 6hrs later (depending on the time of day/night, of course!) and they look after you postnatally.

Even if you don't attend the classes, NCT is a great source of information about the various options available to you. You don't need to be a member and help is free. The phone no is 0870 444 8707. Good luck!

Wow you all seem to have miracously quick labours I hope I'll have a chance of a home birth and not have to be induced again. Still I've got plenty of time to decide. Thanx suedonim for the number I've been thinking about going to those classes anyway to try and meet other mums. I thought that with my first I would instantly make friends at mums and toddler groups but the mums there were already friends from antenatel classes. And surprisingly enough my single uni friends aren't interested in the varying absorbancy in nappies.

Bekki - you don't actually have to wait 6 hours post delivery to go home. In my area, women have gone home as soon as 2 hours after delivery as they felt well. They had no problems and had delivered in our midwifery unit by a midwife on duty. You actually do not need permission to go home, the choice is yours. We have had women who wanted to go ASAP but then changed their minds after delivery and decided to stay longer. Probably knowing you have the choice will make things better for you - have a chat with your midwife to discuss the options.

My son was delivered in hospital under a "domino" team of midwives and the care I received was excellent (compared to friends with ward staff involvment). I was a bit unsure at first as I did not get an "allocated" midwife, but through ante-natal met all of the team. I was induced, delivered at midnight and home by 10 the next morning , but if it had been in the afternoon i reckon i would have been home by tea time, I don't think it's the norm to be discharged in the middle of the night!. The team were on call 24 hours following birth and folow up support also excellent. Hope all goes well!