Consultant led care

[allisgood1]

What does this actually mean? I know you are mainly seen by mw but does a consultant deliver you?

I really want to go consultant led on the NHS with dc3 (all being well), but not sure if I will be allowed?

Briefly, I went private for DC1 and 2. I was mw led with DC1 but that ended in a failed venutouse delivery and forceps (with a half working epidural). DC2 was forceps. Both DC had a few issues at birth (1st was blue, 2nd was grunting to the point all the mw's were concerned and we had a few extra days in hospital before they let us go home). Both very traumatic births.

I am not interested in "mw led" care which includes no intervention. I want an epidural. I have had 2 big baby's and I need one (regardless of what other women say about bigger baby's being easier--not in my case).

What do you think my chances are of getting consultant led care on the NHS?

[YoungWoman94]

I never thought you could self refer to a consultant. The first I heard about a consultant was after I lost my son. I always thought consultants were for those woman who are high risk, have complications or have had previous pregnancy loss, didn't think you could choose whether to have one unless you went privatley.

[Mabelandrose]

If you want a consultant to care for you in labour you definitely need to pay to go private.

[Noodles123]

I don't think its fair to tar all midwives with that brush and assume all consultants will promote intervention ... I had my baby this morrning (!!) was midwife led initially, saw consultant once because I booked in late but it was a very short pointless meeting and was referred back to midwife. I then had a high BP on arrival at MLU, ended up giving birth on labour ward with epidural etc due to high BP and issues with baby's heart rate being very variable throughout. I was visited by consultants overnight whilst in labour but primarily was cared for by a fabulous midwife who could not have been more objective and helpful throughout.

[PenguinsDontEatKale]

Even if you were 'consultant led' that doesn't make a difference to whether your consultant/a consultant will be immediately on hand during labour. I think you are thinking of consultant led as meaning similar to your private experience, but that simply isn't how the NHS is set up. The NHS is set up so labour care is provided by midwives and consultants/registrars are available as and when needed (provided you are on a CLU and not in a midwife-led birth centre).

I am sorry you have a poor view of midwives, but remember OBEM is highly edited and, like all professions, there are good and bad.

If your main concern is epidural, your best bet is to make it clear throughout and in your birth plan that you want one and ask as soon as you get to hospital. Your partner (if you have one) can help with this. Just ask, ask, ask as soon as you get there. With the best will in the world, there can be a wait for the anaesthetist if he/she is in surgery with a section or whatever. That would apply whether or not you were technically 'consultant led'.

Also, if finances allow, a doula might be an option. The vast majority will very happily help a woman with whatever her birth preference, including pushing for epidural as early as possible.