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. ☺️

*Also when I was being checked in and seen by labour ward nurses they kept checking me and saying I 'wasn't dilating fast enough' and my blood sugar was too low and I would need a c section...basically very intervention-happy from the get go - so that was a massive difference - there was none of that from the midwives; when I got to the MLU it was like a different world and I was allowed to just get on with the process.

From friends' experience it also seems they're a lot quicker to go for interventions on the labour ward.

I would have loved an MLBU birth and that was my plan the whole way through but had to be induced so ended up on delivery suite. I found out after that only about 1 in 6 people actually give birth in MLBU at NNUH and I was a bit annoyed that I hadn't been told this and been able to prepare myself more for the idea of delivery suite!

I had my 2 DC in the MLU in a hospital and it was a fantastic experience. Really peaceful, dimmed lights and I felt completely free to listen to my body and move into whatever position I needed. First was on dry land and second was a water birth. Bit of gas and air was all I needed. Monitoring was done via Doppler so very unobtrusive. I’m currently 20 weeks with DC3 and hoping to go back to the MLU again.

But of course completely depends on your risk profile and your preferences, everyone is different.

I would plan for MLU but accept that you might get shifted onto the labour ward.

I arrived on the MLU in early labour (back to back and had been contracting for 3 days at this point). Was lovely, there was birthing pool, candles, dimmed lights, bed. I was chuffed.

Then they took my blood pressure and kicked me out onto the labour ward and recommended an epidural as the fentanyl would bring my blood pressure down. So my plans of a relaxed birth were scuppered but I still had a "good birth". My memories of it are enjoyable, would do it again .

My local hospital has a midwife led unit and no labour ward. I was too anxious about the what ifs to birth there for my first. It’s a 25 minute transfer and I just couldn’t risk it. I chose a birthing unit within the main hospital where the labour ward is just upstairs... so if I had have needed intervention it was just a lift ride away.
As it was, I gave birth in the birthing unit. It was lovely and relaxed and I didn’t get transferred up to the ward for about 6 hours after birth so we got lots of quiet time as a family. I’d 100% recommend it and plan to do the same again. If the labour ward is only a corridor away, there is really no harm in starting midwife led. You can still have gas and air and pethidine under midwife care.

I had my first baby in the MLU (attached to the labour ward in the hospital, I used the pool (I highly recommend it!) and gas and air. It was a very 'hands off' experience and I caught DS myself which was lovely!

I'm currently pregnant with my second and planning to give birth in the same MLU and use the pool again.

I had DC1 on the labour ward and DC2 in the MLU. Like you both are in the same building and on top of each other. I'd wanted MLU with both.

I didn't want an epidural and wanted a water birth.

With DC1 I had a bleed in labour so the choice was made for me. I had to go to labour ward. I had a great midwife who usually worked on the MLU. She had me moving as much as possible and stitched me up really well.

With DC2, labour was fast and very easy. I was super lucky and had the same midwife again. I got the beautiful water birth I wanted.

Tbh, I much preferred the MLU, but labour ward was fine too.

I had a fantastic experience at the MLU, hoping for the same again in July.