Midwifery unit or hospital?

[MissHairspray]

Evening ladies, have already posted something similar but in pregnancy rather than childbirth doh!

Basically trying to decide where to have dc2 and could do with your thoughts. First labour I went to lovely local MLU and managed to deliver a 9lb 12 oz baby with pretty much no intervention although was very long. This time though I'm just so much more worried about where to go. Part of the problem is that I almost had to get transferred first time round because wasn't progressing and this would have meant a 15 minute ride to the main hospital which seemed a horrendous prospect at the time. I am also worried that if I had a bigger baby then this would mean greater likelihood of things such as shoulder dystocia, and wondered how well the midwifes could cope with an emergency and possible ressuc situation. On the other side though, my midwife reckons that had I been at the main hospital I would probably have ended up with an epidural and then been too knackered to push him out on my own, and if I've done it once I can do it again. The aftercare was also fantastic and as I have major worries about breastfeeding going wrong again I could do with a lot of support and I know I won't get this if I go to the main hospital.

Sorry this is a bit of a ramble but any advice or stories you can share of your own experiences would be really appreciated. I suppose I'm willing to risk myself being in pain and the inconvenience of a transfer, but don't want to risk my baby. Thanks!

Hi just spotted your post. I was lucky, I had DD in a MLU that was on the same site as the hospital, the early stages of labour were fab but I still ended up with an epidural and C section, however the staff were fab post delivery too and comparing experiences of other first time mums in hospital I think my care was more personal and calm iyswim.

From anedotal evidence only, I have been told that 2nd babies ar e usually far easier to deliver than your first as your body knows what to do, so its usually quicker and easier.

All hospitals / mlu s are different. Have another chat with your midwife.

i am booked into MLU inside hospital (both DCs born in MLU inside (a different) hospital .... i would say that if you managed to delivery first (huge) baby in MLU second time round will be much easier. certainly was for me.

maybe ask for 36 week growth scan and then can decide depending on size?

Thank you all so much for replying. I am kind of leaning towards the 'I've done it once so I can do it again' mantra and I like the idea of being somewhere a bit more homely and familiar, but I think because no one I know has been to or is considering going to the MLU despite its excellent reputation that it makes me feel a bit foolhardy for doing it once and considering it again.
Loopymumsy - fingers crossed!

I totally second what Loopsymumsy says. A good midwife will keep you mobile and complications are less likely to occur in the first place. Too often women in hopsital end up with an epidural, laid on a bed, and then is it any wonder their labour is longer and they need more intervention to get the baby out.

Bottom line is: Midwife led units have an exemplary safety record - they cannot afford not to, or they'd be shut down. Like you I had my first baby, a large one too, in a MLU and I cannot praise it highly enough. Second labours are easier anyway, so if you managed a natural first birth, well done, and you'll probably have an easier time with the next one.

Personally I think now you know what a MLU is like, you'll feel disappointed if you do choose a hospital.

PS I know what you mean about other people choosing hospital. I was one of only two people in my NCT class who booked into the lovely little MLU a couple of miles along the road. Most of the other mums wanted a natural birth, and came along to all the classes to practise breathing and relaxation, but still booked into the large hospital, 15 miles away, to give birth! And you know what? Most of them ended up with epidurals and all sorts. They almost saw the MLU as 'after care' only, and were happy to transfer back after a rew days, which seems to be missing the point really! The midwives are the experts in delivering babies, not just helping out once they're born.

Stick to your guns and don't be swayed by other people - you know the sort of birth you want.

I would say MLU all the way, especially if you've done it before.

I had ds1 in hospital, ended up with epesiotomy (sp??) and ventouse delivery of an 8lb2 baby. I was so disappointed as I really wanted a natural birth, and looking back I'm I could have done more with the right support.

Ds2 was delivered in MLU completely naturally with not even a stitch at 11lb4oz! Although I was close to transfer as contractions slowed in the second stage, as they did with ds1, the midwives there knew how to change my position and motivate me to do it myself, and the after care was amazing.

As violethill said, I think you'll be disappointed with hospital after experiencing a MLU.

Good luck!

Wow mamduckbone 11lb 4oz! I will keep you in mind now anytime I worry about having a large baby!

violethill you are right - I went along to my NCT class with my first and no one else was going to the MLU which was a bit worrying but still went through with it. I definitely had the best labour of the bunch and although of course can't say that was definitely due to where I went, the idea of being in a big, busy labour ward is not appealing (especially as 1st time I had my own room and practically my own midwife on hand to help with everything!)

Thanks so much ladies, I think I've known deep down what I wanted was just starting to doubt myself a bit