Anyone change hospital late in pregnancy?

[Shellywelly1973]

Im 28 weeks. I saw my MW today. Im 40 & expecting my 6th dc. Basically the consultant said i could use the MLU but MW today said the criteria has changed in the last 3 months.

Its hospital policy to monitor 2/3 times per week from 37 weeks & induce on EDD all mother's if 40 & over. She warned me many mothers are induced from 38 weeks as the doctors never take any risks but especially with older mothers.

The thought of being on a labour ward is scaring me. Monitoring etc & all the other stuff involved just freaks me out.

Ultimately its jyst a hospital policy so would I be mad to change hospitals. Im in London so do have other choices.

Any experiences? TIA!

You don't have to consent to an induction at 40 weeks or monitoring simply because its "hospital policy" so although they can refuse to let you in the MLU, you can still have the birth you're hoping for in the labour ward.

It's usually pretty simple to change hospitals late in pregnancy. As pointed out you don't have to consent to anything but if they are going to deny you the MLU and that is what you really want, then I think you would be best looking elsewhere.

yes I did, at 38 weeks (also in London), but it wasn't a policy related decision. That induction policy sounds preposterous, and you don't need to consent to it. That said, if you do want to change anyway, it was really straightforward and I was very glad I did.

I changed country at 7 months pregnant! So I wouldn't worry about that.

Remember it's your body. No one can do anything without your consent.

Thanks for the replies. My last 2 dc were water births so it wouldn't be possible on a labour ward.

Im going to look into home birth...

I swapped hospitals at 28 weeks but I wanted to be under a specific consultant obstetrician. It was easy. Met Consutant and he was happy to take my case on and that was it. Everythn else was done in the background..

I'm about to change at 32 weeks.
Also, being on a labour ward doesn't automatically preclude water births. My hospital (which I may stay with for this reason!) has 31 birthing rooms and 31 portable birthing pools, so everyone can have a water birth if wanted. HTH

I had it changed for me - was air ambulanced to bigger mainland hospital at 36 weeks with dd2 (dc3) and induced for serious medical issues at 37 weeks.

Despite the fact I'd given birth twice in the first place and dh had worked on the ward as a junior doc, I was fine in the new hospital, dd2 was healthy and I was home 10 days before my due date!!

There are no pools on the labour ward. There are only 4 pools in the MLU! Pretty surprised as im booked into a large teaching hospital in London.

Its also the fact of the standard policies relating to mothers over 40 I have issues with. Constant monitoring. Drip after birth incase of haemorrhage was the most ridiculous policy I've ever come across. Yes its my 6th dc but seriously why would I have medication through a drip for four hours 'incase' I haemorrhage.

Giving birth for me is not a medical process. Unless there is a medical problem I will be giving birth at home. Dp is very worried but I really can't tolerate the thought of being in a hospital & terrified. Dp has 12 weeks to get used to the idea!