Anxiety - second birth

[BananaBlaps]

Pregnant with DC2 and feel so upset and anxious about the birth.
With DC1 I had a low lying placenta so had to give birth on the labour ward. I really did not like it - contractions massively slowed once I’d been admitted for delivery as the whole place was so busy and bright.

My cervix only effaced on one side so I ended up being forced to lay on my right side which was agony. The doctor was so awful. Went for an epidural because of the pain when laying on my side which then led to ventouse delivery. I lost 1 litre of blood.

Now midwives saying I should go down consultant led care route again because of the blood loss in first birth. I really don’t want that. I feel that sense of loss of control already that was the thing that was so upsetting the first time round.

Not sure what I want from this post / just some support really. Would I be mad to insist on a MLU this time? I would like a home birth but I guess that would really be discouraged.

Sorry to hear you had such a difficult experience with the birth. I can really sympathise as I also had a traumatic labour.
I was consultant led through my pregnancy and what I would say is that it doesn't have feel like you have lost control. If you can be very clear with the doctor about what you want and need.

For me personally, I would not go for a home birth or MLU after having complications the first time. I would worry about needing an ambulance transfer during labour and ultimately I would follow the advice of the medical professionals.

Have you told your midwife how you feel?

No but I will speak to midwife at next appointment. It’s still early days - haven’t had anomaly scan yet so I’ll see what that shows.

It is the setting of the labour ward I don’t like and the fact that the doctors want to intervene medically as soon as possible. I was a bit doomed last time I guess as my waters broke before contractions had even started (and put me on the clock) and the low lying placenta probably caused the bleed.

Thing is here the MLU is in the hospital so it’s not even an ambulance ride.

Ah well maybe its more feasible to go MLU then. I would speak to midwife about pros and cons. Hopefully they can be flexible for you if the pregnancy goes smoothly.