What's your opinion of stand alone midwife led units?

[Seasidedolly]

Hi all

I just wondered if anyone had any opinions or experiences of midwife led units?

I've been offered Cossham Birthing Centre in Kingswood, Bristol, and also Southmead hospital.

I'm swaying towards Cossham because its new, each room has pools, double beds for DH to stay over, aromatheraphy etc, but my main concern is if there's a complication, an ambulance transfer to Southmead is required.

Southmead wouldn't take long in the dead of night but rush hour could take up to 45 minutes.

I am hoping for a natural birth (first child!!) but I am concerned about putting my child potentially at risk if I do need to be transfered and it takes a long time.

Anyone been in, or currently in, a similar situation?

I'd definitely evaluate your own risks and wishes but I'm very good friends with one of the midwives at the hospital where I will give birth and she said she wouldn't let her own daughter give birth at the local MLU because of the transfer rates, so I would definitely look into their percentages before committing to it.

I had both my babies in a MLU with a transfer time to nearest hospital of at least an hour and a half.....looking back maybe I was a little naive choosing to do this but I really really didn't want to give birth in a busy city hospital, I think my anxiety would have gone through the roof! And I was very low risk with easy pregnancies. I don't regret my decision.
As it happened both birth experiences were great, I was the only person in and the first time there were three midwives at hand for most of the day!! I didn't have to wait for the pool, I didn't have to worry about bumping into other people when shuffling about half dressed, my DH was very welcome and got to stay overnight with me the first time, with my second child I was discharged home a couple of hours after birth. I had plenty of gas and air and was told I could have pethidine but that was it for pain relief.
The set up I really liked, a big room, relaxing and quiet, no bed and active birthing encouraged. At first sign of any problems I would have been ambulanced away, I was also reassured that they would use a helicopter if there was a huge emergency.
The midwives seemed incredibly competent and I completely trusted them. I would suggest visiting the unit and seeing what your gut feeling is, it's such a personal decision.
Good luck!