Have you delivered at a mw led unit where there are no consultants?

[BoysBoysBoysAndMe]

Pg with dc3. Both previous babies were born where epidurals, c sections, emergency cases could be handled on the consultants unit.

Thinking of having dc3 at a mw led unit as it seems lovely and much more relaxed and 121 care from a mw, which I didn't get last time.

Now last time I had to be prepped for a c section as baby was distressed, meconium and heart rate dropping. But mw has said I'm fine for the mw led unit this time, as things weren't progressing well last time and if that happened at the mw led unit, I would have been transferred to hospital hours earlier iyswim.

Like the idea of it and it seems lovely and I think I'd get more support there which I didn't get in the hospital, which personally- I need.

What was your experience of mw led units?

blondiep just how big are they expecting your baby to be?

DS was expected to be big (up to 10.7lbs) but I went ahead with homebirth plans - there's no need for CLU as long as you're aware of the risks a bigger baby may have (PPH or shoulder dystocia) but then these can happen to any woman with any size baby! As it was I transferred in (which was fine) found had forceps as the bugger was poorly positioned as his sister had been 2 years ago. DS was 11lb 7oz and DD was 8lb 2oz. I had more problems during DDs induced hospital labour than with DS.

I had DS, DC number 2 at our local MLU. It was fab, any transfer would be to a different hospital, about 30 minutes away. Only the most experienced MWs work there so seemed really relaxed, nice rooms no hospital beds etc. We were actually only in there for less than 4 hours, DS born less than 2 hours after we got there then we had to stay for 2 hours. If we had wanted to stay then DH could have stayed in the room. To be honest not sure I'd have been so happy going there for my first, fear of the unknown I suppose, but it wasn't available then. I'm one of 4 people I know to use it and all of us loved it, but 2nd time around for all of us and we wanted to get home to first DC.
Have you been to look around?
I work on the basis that giving birth ought to be a natural thing and the more relaxed you are the easy it should be (complications/ bad positioning aside) so I guess if you're relaxed there and not worrying about possible transfer it may be the thing for you.
Good luck whatever you decide.

I went for the MLU option for my first born as it was so much more appealing than the very old hospital which was my other option. My son was back to back and after 24 hours in labour I requested a transfer to the hospital as I could no longer bear the pain (not such a tough cookie after all.) After an attempt at ventouse, he was eventually born by emergency c section. In my experience the care my husband and I received at the hospital far exceeded the care at the MLU, we felt abandoned for long periods at the MLU and it took 3 hours to arrange the transfer to the hospital due to a shift change. I however have no regrets at choosing the MLU initially as I do think the after care would have been amazing and I felt really positive about going into labour in the days leading up to the birth. Ultimately I think we were just a little unlucky with the care we received.

Good luck with the birth, whatever you decide.

My MLU birth (DC2) was great. DC1 was a forceps birth on a consultant-led ward. Nearest hospital for me is >20 miles/45 mins away and I didn't want a homebirth as I didn't want to have to do that journey if I had to transfer in late labour or immediately after the birth. And several of the community midwives are fecking useless and I wouldn't trust them to deliver a parcel

I had my own midwife who absolutely followed my birth plan and who was so good I wrote to the head of midwifery to say so. I also had additional support from a Health Care Assistant during the pushing stage which was enormously helpful. I was in the unit for less than 12 hours would have been less if DH hadn't got sidetracked getting a coffee on his way to the car

My unit was attached to a large maternity hospital and it wasn't flashy (a bit of an afterthought so the rooms were a bit small etc/birth pool not as nice as some but still amazing). It was lovely, though, knowing that some registrar wasn't going to come into the room, poke you, say something to the midwife that you either didn't understand or agree with and then piss off again.

Not sure fliss it was only the sonographer that has said this, I've an appointment Thursday so going to speak to a MW then.
When I had my booking appt no-one said anything about not being able to have DC3 there so hoping sonographer just being cautious.
I remember seeing you'd had a whopper. Were you worried about having such a big baby at a MLU before you went?
No-one ever said DS2 was going to be big (apart from me!) So ignorance was bliss if you like!

I had my baby 6 weeks ago at a birth unit - it was great. Arrived at 11:30am, baby arrived at 4.02pm, home by 8.30pm. Exactly what I wanted.

I was also the only lady in the place, so I got the pool all to myself! (I live in the Highlands). It was great. I'd like to say it was calm and quiet, but I screamed my head off. Midwives were lovely though.

Blondiep I wasn't even going to the MLU, I stayed at home for 25 hours and only transferred in for a prolonged second stage. Had no fear - worrying wouldn't have made DS any smaller! Women rarely grow babies too big to birth naturally, I had two midwives with me instead of one - in the CLU (I was high risk for other reasons) I'd have been sharing a MW anyway.

I started in our stand alone mlu, which is fab. I had a midwife with me continuously and an hca around too. They had unobtrusive down to a t, and even had DH relaxed (he wanted my birth plan to involve his waiting in the corridor).

When I had to transfer due to lack of progress (most common cause of transfer from there) it was done in a relaxed way, despite the blue lights. The midwife came with me to hand me over (one has delivered road side in the past).

At the hospital I also had a midwife at all times but from hearing other's experiences there that is because the transfer made me high risk.

Eventually I was prepped for a section, but the used forceps and tore me badly.

I was put onto the main ward which was hell. I was manhandled to express colustrum every 2 hours, despite both me and DD needing to sleep after 29hrs of established labour. When food was delivered I just had to watch everyone walk off to get it, as I couldn't move my legs. Eventually I managed to get someone to bring some, but to be honest it was so bad it wasn't worth it.

I was desperate to be transfered back to the mlu, and was finally told that once I had done a wee I could. Maybe a helpful first step would be telling me where the toilet was (or actually removing the catheter...)

Thankfully I managed to be transfered before the next mauling of my breasts.

It was bliss. The hcas doing a round of bedtime drinks; staff looking after DD for 5 minutes when I realised DH had gone home and I wasn't ready for bed but DD would scream if I put her down; active help establishing breastfeeding and making sure I was confident; decent food!

I'm looking at an elcs this time, but if humanly possible want to transfer to the mlu afterwards.

I think it very much depends on the mlu and the hospital- I'm lucky to have what is meant to be one of the best mlu in the country on my doorstep.

I had DC1&2 in a consultant unit as they were both induced. DC3 I was desperate to have in our local MLU which started off well but after 5 hours of pushing they found him to be back to back so I got blue lighted to the main hospital 20 minutes away.
Wasn't the best road trip I've ever been on but the same midwife stayed with me until DP also got there and was scrubbed up.

The midwives in the MLU certainly seemed to make you feel a bit more special, however I went in at a quiet time then the hospital at a busy time so I appreciate this can have a major effect on the care you get!

Thanks for all your input.

Interesting pov. Not all good either which I naively expected I think.

Still undecided. I have a fear of labour and dying in labour and not sure if I would be more relaxed in a Mlu or more panicky