Midwife led unit or delivery suite

[lockdownbabyx]

Hi all, 16 weeks pregnant with my first and just wondering if anyone has given birth at a midwife led birthing unit? I had know idea I had this option until my midwife asked me. Il be giving birth at Norfolk and Norwich hospital which has the MLU and the delivery suite in the same building. Ideally I don't want any pain relief, however I'm aware I could change my mind when the time comes and may have to go to delivery suite is there are compilations or if I want an epidural. It's seems like the MLU is much more relaxed though which is why I'm liking the idea of it! Just curious if people's experiences really. ☺️

Can't you just transfer if you decide you want pain relief?

You'll get all sorts of responses but personally I wanted pain relief and doctors ... I needed both after 34 hours then section - moving at that point would have been traumatic - but others have much easier deliveries

I went to a stand alone midwife led unit and regretted it. Ended up in a different hospital in a delivery suite anyway thankfully before it was too late (ended up needing an episiotomy and vacuum and they couldn't have done any of that in the MLU but transferred long before that had to happen)

I would never go to a standalone one again as there's just too many 'what ifs' and no Dr there to intervene if necessary.

However if there is a unit part of the same hospital then I'd say absolutely go for it! It is much more relaxed and less clinical than a standard delivery suite.

If you decide you do want stronger pain relief or there are any complications you are still in the same building so it would be a very quick transfer I would imagine 😊

Good luck either way ☺️

If you've got the option of a midwife led unit within a hospital you've got the best of both worlds as the transfer would be so easy in the event of you needing doctors/more assistance. Literally a different corridor or a hop in a lift.

I had midwife led it was wonderful, it was near labour ward so would just had been transfered if needed.

I am a naturally anxious person so wanted increased monitoring of baby’s heartbeat etc. My baby was fine and it would have been with both options but the increased monitoring allowed me to relax a little more

@Paddingtonsmarmlade yes you can.

@BabyBunnyMama thank you! Yes the MLU and the delivery suite are in the same hospital so if I needed to move I could. If it was in a different place entirely then I personally wouldn't risk it either.
Obviously this is all dependent on what type birth I have, hopefully a straight forward one with no complications 🤞🏼. But I'm aware that's not always the case 🤦🏻‍♀️ xx

I was in a MLU in a hospital so could have been transferred to labour ward if needed. I had a big private room with gas and air a dedicated midwife (2 at the end) and spent most of my time in a birthing pool - it was great and I would recommend it. I had toured the MLU towards the end of my pregnancy and knew that was what I wanted if possible - less clinical but doctors / equipment near if needed

My MLU and delivery suite are also in the same building and I have a low risk pregnancy (touch wood it stays that way) so I'm definitely opting for MLU initially. I've not been able to see it in person (no tours due to covid) but online the rooms look great and they have birth pools which I'd like to nab if possible. If I decide I want an epidural or there's a concern, I'll simply need to transfer up one floor. If the MLU wasn't on the hospital site I'm not sure what I'd do though.

Like a pp said you have best of both worlds.

I started in MLU in birthing pool which was lovely. However things started to go a bit tits up and got wheeled down the corridor for epidural and all the rest in labour ward. Starting off in MLU was great, shame I couldn't have delivered there too. Maybe next time

Thank you all. I'm definitely leaning towards the MLU! It's still early days so I may not have a choice, but fingers crossed I stay low risk ☺️ xx

I was on the MLU for my first, had her in the pool and caught her myself which was a wonderful experience. My labour was 4.5 hours so very quick and I wont lie it was painful. I did scream out for an epidural when she was crowning and had the midwife laugh at me 😂 my first was back to back so my contractions were awful. I had a shot of pethidine which just made me sleepy but didn't really help the pain. If you have a good pain threshold I'd certainly go for it! I'm planning a homebirth for my next baby and I'm currently 19 weeks! Best of luck x

I agree - you have the best of both worlds them being in the same building. I had the same and went for a tour and that definitely made my mind up that I wanted the MLU! To me, it just seemed to much calmer and less clinical of you know what I mean. Made me feel more relaxed compared to the bright lights, monitors and smell of the delivery suite!

I’m planning on delivering in the MLU, it’s attached to the delivery suite so if there’s any complications or if I want any further pain relief I can go up there if needed.
It just seems like a much more relaxed environment, less clinical, has pools, music, adaptive lighting etc. I hopefully plan on just gas and air and a water birth so it is perfect for me. But being literally next to the central delivery suite I can be reassured that if required, I can quickly go there.

@MyGrassIsBrowner oh thank you that really helpful. I'm definitely leaning towards the MLU. I really don't want pethidine, many people have told me exactly what you have said! My mum and sister included. I don't want anything that makes me feel out of it, as I hate that feeling 😂. My pain threshold is pretty good, especially after having gallstones for years which was horrendous pain until I had my gallbladder removed. Oh I hope you get to have a homebirth! I would love one but with this being my first I don't think I will this time, maybe next time if I have a fairly straightforward birth haha. X

@Golfbuggy76 thank you! I hope I get to have a tour with the restrictions now lifting. From what I've seen, it definitely looks more calm and relaxed xx

@Nat4392 I hope it all goes to plan for you! I'm un decided about a water birth, I personally hate baths and haven't had one in years! (I shower of course 😂). So I'm not sure if I will like a water birth, however if I'm in the MLU and the pool is there I may give it a go. Same as you, I'm hoping for no pain relief, maybe gas and air but I'm not even sure on that. I say all this and when the time comes il probably ask for anything and everything to stop the pain 😂 x

I’m local to the N&N, I had a planned section but wish I could have used the MLBU. I had my steroid injection in there. It is literally on the same corridor as the main delivery suite so easy access if intervention is needed. The rooms are lovely and relaxing. Go for it if you can!

@Haiyaa oh thank you for that, I wasn't aware it was on the same corridor so that's reassuring! I think my mind is made up now haha. Providing I stay low risk of course, Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 xx

If you've got the option of a midwife led unit within a hospital you've got the best of both worlds as the transfer would be so easy in the event of you needing doctors/more assistance. Literally a different corridor or a hop in a lift.

This. I had DD - well, I had her all over the hospital in the end, but I started off and ended in the MLU - and really recommend it.

I planned to start in a MLU (next to delivery suite in a hospital) but it was full when I arrived and pain was just unbearable without epidural. So I went straight to the delivery suite. Then complications so would have had to switch anyway. I had absolutely wonderful care in the delivery suite including a private room. And dedicated midwife (although I was low risk until things got complicated). This time I'm planning to go straight to the delivery suite! So much of what happens is about chance and the labour you get rather than the labour you make or choose. Both of your choices sound sensible and considered. X

@Notasdesperate thank you. I'm trying to prepare myself for both options as like you said, it's all down to chance really. I do love the idea of the MLU, time will tell though! Good luck with the birth of your little one ☺️ xx

I had a high risk pregnancy and was expecting to only have the option of delivery suite.
Our mlu and delivery suite are next to one another. When I went into be checked I was seen by the midwife running the mlu that day. When i called up to go back in she spoke to the midwife running the triage line and said she would be happy to have me on the mlu as my reasons for high risk surrounded my health in pregnancy and after the birth but not the birth process.

I arrived fully dilated and was able to get straight into the pool which she had run whilst we drove to the hospital. My LO was born within an hour of arriving but we spent 5h after the birth in the room whilst they found me a bed on the maternity ward. It was lovely.

My friends that gave birth on the delivery unit also had good experiences. Some of them were initially down to give birth in the mlu but ended not being there for various reasons.

Keep an open mind about both options and it won't be until the day you find out where you will give birth! If it hadnt been for my partner encouraging me to call back again (we had only been home an hour since my initial check at 2cm) my little one would have been born at home/side of the road!

I gave birth at a MLU - not my choice, I wanted pain relief, but the ward was full.

It was nice in the end, they did checks and stayed in the room but it was very relaxed, I was free to move around, get in the bath, bounce on a yoga ball, walk around etc. I really wanted pain relief so they managed to give me a shot of morphine.

Then when it was time I got on the bed and they didn't restrict me or my position at all, I was free to do what I wanted and what was comfortable. I don't have experience of the labour ward but from what I've heard you're more restricted and hooked up to different monitors so that's a difference.