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Original poster

Where to deliver?

18 replies

Nellysgirl · 12/06/2013 16:05

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone has delivered in a midwife led unit?
I need to decide whether to go for salford royal (midwife only - no dr's) or st Mary's.
I have viewed both and much prefer salford and the midwives and care are alot more friendly and personal.
In the event of a complication or need for epidural etc I would be transferred to st Mary's in an ambulance with my midwife.
This is my first baby so I'm not sure how I will cope etc.
I think I would be happier in salford or would that be a selfish decision? I've had no complications so far.
Has anyone been to either hospital?

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Bue · 12/06/2013 17:15

Not selfish at all! Midwife led units have been shown to be just as safe for low risk women as consultant units, and their transfer system will be very good if you do need to transfer to the other hospital. You need to be where you will be most relaxed and happy - if that is the midwife led unit then go for it.

Original poster
Nellysgirl · 12/06/2013 19:50

Thanks I really appreciate that. I do want to be there where its more comfortable but It doesn't seem like the best option in terms of if something bad happens.
As its my first I don't know what to expect x

OP posts:
pinkr · 12/06/2013 22:24

We've the same choice to make but having known a friend who had to be transferred I'll tell you that twenty mins in an ambulance when things are going wrong is just too long. That said i'm seriously tempted by the unit as its lovely...

Original poster
Nellysgirl · 12/06/2013 23:02

It's tricky isn't it. My journey would take 7 mins they say.
May I ask what your friends complication was? Was it urgent or something she opted to do?

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 12/06/2013 23:16

Di you know what there transfer rate is Nelly? How long is the transfer time?

I've given birth in a mw led unit twice and both were very positive experiences.

If you post on MN local you may get a few posts on the particular unit Smile

JiltedJohnsJulie · 12/06/2013 23:18

7 mins isn't really that long. In those 7 mins they would be preparing for your arrival and hopefully be ready to take you straight to theatre. There is some evidence that a short transfer from home or a unit is actually safer than giving birth on a labour ward.

Ilovestackingcups · 13/06/2013 03:58

Tbh, if you get transferred, you won't care. You'll be past caring. My transfer took almost 2 hours due to an ambulance cock up (should've been c.20 minutes), and whilst DH had to cope with it all, I was too out of it to notice. It was my first time too.

If you go to MLU, you're more likely to have access to things like water birth if that's what you want. I loved being in water in labour, can't rate it highly enough.

If you know you will want an epidural, go to labour ward.

fuckwittery · 13/06/2013 04:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

chryssa · 13/06/2013 05:30

I've had DS1 at St Mary's and DS2 at Salford Royal. My first birth was induced so did not really go according to plan but what I remember the most is that St Mary's was extremely busy so it was difficult to get anyone's attention for the "small things". I was planning to have second baby there too, but the ward was so busy it was closed and they arranged for me to go to Salford Royal. It was fantastic. It was an easier labour anyway but the midwife was amazing. It was 5 years ago, so before the maternity ward closed so no experience of the midwife led unit but I can only praise the staff and will always be grateful for the amazing birth experience.

Original poster
Nellysgirl · 13/06/2013 11:47

I can't thank you all enough for taking the time to reply and help.
I feel so much better and reassured about this now. I'm definately going to go for the midwife led unit at salford. I now feel really confident in my decision.
You are all really kind.
I'm also looking forward to actually giving birth knowing ill be in such a lovely place Smile
Ill take the advice and have a go in their pool or bath if available. Also keen to have a nosey at 'hypnobithing' - please excuse if that's not the right term xxx

OP posts:
Original poster
Nellysgirl · 13/06/2013 11:48

Birthing... Oh dear! Knew I wouldn't get the term right x

OP posts:
chryssa · 13/06/2013 11:54

Just came back from a visit to EPU at Salford Royal (will post about it in a few mins when I get my head around it) and I overheard some ladies in the waiting area describing the midwife led unit as a "posh hotel"! Honestly! It says St Mary's everywhere in the antenatal care so it must all come under St Mary's but based st Hope? Good luck whatever you decide Smile

pinkr · 13/06/2013 17:23

I think for seven mins I would def go for it...we're closer to thirty which I think makes a difference. My friends wee one got into distress and needed to be out quickly which is why she was moved for a c!

JoJoManon · 14/06/2013 15:15

I couldn't do it personally. My sister was born without blood - completely rare and one of those freak undetectable things and had she not had an operation and a blood transfusion within about 5 minutes of being born she wouldn't be alive today.
I'm sure birthing units are fabulous if nothing goes wrong but if it did I could never forgive myself and would blame myself forever.

Percephone · 14/06/2013 15:50

Other things to consider:

Is there a neonatal unit at Salford Royal? Paeds to resuscitate baby if needed?

What are the pain relief options available to you at Salford? Realistically if you ask for transfer for an epidural are you going to get it? Or are you likely to be told St Marys is too busy to accept you.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/06/2013 01:49

To be fair though Perce there are lots of maternity wards that don't have a neonatal ward nearby and even if they do, there is no guarantee that if a bed in neonatal is needed, that there is one available in that hospital. I know women who, in the rare event that neonatal has been needed, have had their baby transferred 100 miles away. Don't worry too much about that one OP, out of my friends who have had a baby in Scubu most were early in which case you wouldn't be at the mw led unit and the other was after a planned cs and again that isn't going to happen at the unit.

jacquiemccloy · 15/06/2013 02:10

Hi,

I see you've already made a decision before I saw this post but I wanted to comment anyway.

I'm just wondering if the hospital has a midwife led unit in it?

I'm currently making the same decision myself (but different hospital/area) and although I much prefer the way the midwife ran unit operates etc I have an anxiety disorder and family history of problematic births so I'm really scared of things going wrong so I'd prefer the reassurance of emergency facilities and doctors available (my journey between the midwife unit and the hospital would apparently be 15 mins). I mentioned this to my midwife who told me that the hospital has a midwife ran unit in it so I could have the same experience as if I went to any midwife unit but with the knowledge that if a problem arose it's just a transfer to a different part of the hospital (much less than 15mins!).

Best of both worlds I think Grin.

Just incase you're anything like me and change your mind again it might be worth looking into Smile x

JiltedJohnsJulie · 15/06/2013 02:18

I'd missed that you have decided too OP Smile

jac that sounds like the right decision for you. I can remember worrying over my first birth as my DM had such a traumatic birth with me, her first child. I ended up having 2 fairly easy and positive births. I think giving birth in a place you are happy with and with people you trust makes all the difference and for me that was the mw led unit Smile

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