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Childbirth

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

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Original poster

I can use the birthing unit - but what should i expect

20 replies

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 17:59

Been given the all clear to use the birthing unit (woo hoo) but would love to know more about them

I understand (i think) that they don't have consultants and it is midwife led, and are more a home from home

have looked online for reviews/feedback about the one i am going to use but can't find anything other than the (brief) hospital blurb ...

if you used one, what did you like, and maybe more pertinently what didn't you like

TIA

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 17:59

thanks for telling me first, beatch!

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 18:00

have a look round it, obviously.

Original poster

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 18:00

don't make me cry - am hormonal!

OP posts:

Original poster

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 18:01

i can have a look round but not for another 3 months!

i like to be prepared

OP posts:

LuluisgoingtobeanAunty · 14/04/2009 18:01

sorrreeeeee

good news, really pleased.

EffiePerine · 14/04/2009 18:04

Used the MLU both times - no complaints at all, with DS1 they got a doc in as soon as his HB dropped, but the CLU was just down the corridor. So that may be a thing to ask - how soon can they get you transferred if necessary?

Second birth was great, no intervention, minimum interference from MW, lights dimmed, the whole shebang . A much better experience.

Original poster

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 18:05

ooh effie - that sounds a great experience

the birthing unit is attached to the hospital so no issues if anything need urgent treatment

am not crying Lulu - just spent too long in the car today getting to the hossie

OP posts:

MegBusset · 14/04/2009 18:06

Can you say which MLU?

Original poster

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 18:07

PAH (harlow)

assume i can name check as am not dissing them!

OP posts:

MegBusset · 14/04/2009 18:11

I used the MLU at Chase Farm (Enfield) for DS, twas very laidback although (like the rest of that hospital) direly in need of a bit of money spent on it! Much more relaxed than the labour ward.

I had to be transferred for an epidural but again the consultant unit was on the same site so was very quick.

Am booked in again for DC2 (due on Sunday -- eek) and hoping to stay on the MLU this time.

EffiePerine · 14/04/2009 18:16

nowwearefour · 14/04/2009 18:18

i used a BU midwife run. it was very relaxed, very chilled. i could take things at my pace. birht felt wonderful. my first had been an induction in a nearby hospital. that was fine. but the birthing unit was special. gerat. you get a lovely rapport with the midwife and it is wonderful. i hope it is wonderful for you too.

notcitrus · 14/04/2009 18:23

Lovely - large private room, birth pool, pyramidal beanbag, en suite bathroom, gas & air.
I stayed there for about 8 hours, we chatted to the midwives lots, very chilled, until the anaethetist was ready downstairs to give me an epidural when we went down for that.

Shame they couldn't give me the epidural there and monitor me, as the delivery suite room was rather cramped overnight, but not really an issue.

(St Georges, Tooting)

MegBusset · 14/04/2009 18:28

The downside of my particular MLU was that they were (are) chronically understaffed so was left on my own quite a lot and had very little continuity of care.

Original poster

rubyslippers · 14/04/2009 19:07

thank you very much for all your stories so far

seems all be v positive

i am deffo going to try to use the pool

OP posts:

childrenchildreneverywhere · 14/04/2009 23:13

I can tell you about your one specifically!!

It's great, have had loads of clients birthed there (am a doula and teach HypnoBirthing Essex) and they all rave about it, including the midwives that work there. They have a 50% waterbirth rate too! I had two babies there myself (before the MLBU was built) and couldn't fault the care.

Def the one I would pick if I had to choose an MLBU in this area!

childrenchildreneverywhere · 14/04/2009 23:14

oh, and you can look round beforehand, you just need to know how to get an appointment to bypass the tours .

Original poster

rubyslippers · 15/04/2009 08:30

ooh thank you children

i was v impressed with the care last time - MWs were ace

soooo, how do you get an appointment then?

OP posts:

violethill · 15/04/2009 10:29

The Birthing Unit I used for my first birth was fab.

Main difference was the feel of it. Own room, furnished like a bedroom, one midwife, so really supportive help, able to labour at my pace, minimal monitoring, no doctors (though they would call one in if necessary).
Pool available. Gas and air and pethidine if you wanted.

Only possible downside - mine wasn't attached to a hospital, so transfer if needed would have taken a little longer, but nnot a major problem in my view. I've had friends who were transferred, and they coped fine - at the end of the day, safety records in Birthing Units are exceptional - they have to be, so don't worry that your baby may be less safe than in a traditional hospital.

If you may want to go down the medical route and have an epidural I guess that would have been a disadvantage too - no epidurals at my Unit, but I didn't want one anyway.

If you want a natural birth I can't recommend BU's highly enough.

childrenchildreneverywhere · 15/04/2009 11:12

Send me an email using this form:

www.birthfriendly.co.uk/contact.htm

and I'll let you have some names/tips that should help you.

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