MLU/birth centre vs. trad labour ward - thoughts?

[Plateofcrumbs]

I (hopefully) have choice between traditional labour ward and an MLU at our local hospital.

Am feeling drawn towards active labour, getting into natal hypnotherapy etc, but my ultimate birth plan is "healthy baby by whatever means". I really want to feel confident that if things aren't going right a) that any problems will be picked up early enough and b) the right help will be there if needed.

My NCT teacher worried me a bit by saying there will be less monitoring of the baby in the MLU and that MLUs are under pressure not to transfer women to labour ward so now feeling anxious that I'll be taking more chances with the baby's health by opting for MLU.

But on other hand concerned that in trad labour ward there won't be the support for more active labour etc.

Can anyone share opinions and experiences that might help me choose?

there are NICE guidelines about how often they have to listen to baby's heartbeat so it's not like they don't bother at all in the MLU - I felt like it was sufficient. I think it's a tradeoff against being more relaxed, which will mean in itself that your labour will progress more quickly so that risks are lower anyway. so I don't see MLU as a more risky option.

I don't know about the transfer question but I'd say that an nct teacher probably isn't an expert on this so I would talk to your midwife or other medical professionals before getting worried.

Although to be fair HCP unlikely to say "yes we're under pressure to meet our performance targets so avoid transfers because it screws up our stats". Not reading too much into NCT comment as it was during a discussion about epidurals and I expect she's probably a bit 'anti', but it did get me thinking, hence thread.

I had DS1 on labour ward (induction, ending in ventouse) and DS2 in the pool at the MLU. My second birth was a wonderful experience, despite DS2 being huge (nearly 11lb ). I liked that the MW barely touched me (as opposed to being poked and prodded every five minutes with DS1) and the atmosphere was lovely and relaxed.

I also found the postnatal bit so much better in the MLU - private room with double bed so DH could stay over, rather than a two-night stay on the ward with DS1 when I got no sleep and had nobody to help with the baby overnight. I was discharged from the MLU within 24 hours - would have been sooner if DS2 hadn't been so big and needed multiple herl prick tests for blood sugar.

I'd say, if you have the choice, MLU every time.

PS yes to hypnotherapy too - both times I used the Maggie Howell CDs and they really helped me stay calm.

you could always email the hospital to ask about targets for transfers and throw in the words 'freedom of information', and that should stop them fobbing you off I think.

I was left well alone at the consultant led unit for DD birth. I wasn't even in the labour ward until fully dilated. They came and hook a machine up to me and take measurements maybe every few hours? I see the coffee lady more then the midwife. I was even allowed to walk along the corridors! I asked for gas and air and they wouldn't give it to me until active labour but they won't escalate me because they were too busy in the labour ward.

I'm choosing a MLU attached to the hospital this time (it's a different hospital in the neighbouring trust).

Both mine were born in MLU, I had no problems. Both quite quick births so I was monitored constantly, and when dd2 had a drop in heart rate I was hauled out of the pool immediately, another two mws were brought in and they got her out asap with no intervention. Out MLU is on the ground floor of a fabulous hospital with the labour ward being on the next floor up so transfer in case of a problem is very straightforward and not an ambulance ride away, something to consider.