Anyone have to be transferred from MLU to hospital mid-labour?

[MissHairspray]

If so, how did you find the whole experience and would you consider using a MLU again? Did the transfer mean any negative effects for you/your baby that wouldn't have happened otherwise?

Basically I had my first baby at a MLU and am trying to decide where to have 2nd. 1st time round I got stuck at 9cm for a few hours and almost got transferred to the main hospital 15 mins away. Before I was in Labour 15 mins didn't sound like a lot, but at the time the idea of having to move at all seemed horrendous. In the end though I wasn't transferred and managed to push my huge 9lb 12 oz baby out myself and had the natural birth I wanted, but am still left with a niggling worry that if I go back I will end up getting transferred and this will be traumatic and possibly dangerous for me/the baby. Of course though, just by going to the main hospital I am statistically more likely to require intervention and the midwife I spoke to today reckons if I had been at that hospital 1st time round I probably would have ended up with an epidural and then forceps as I wouldn't have managed to push my son out on my own. At the MLU I also got loads of support with breastfeeding which isn't likely to happen at the hospital as they aim to kick you out 6 hours after birth.

I know that there are occasional stories in the press about horrible things that happened because of transfers but just wanted to see what your experiences were. Sorry this is a bit long but thanks!

Is there no MLU inside a big hospital near you? I had DD at a MLU inside the RF hospital in Hampstead and because she got distressed I had to transfer to labour ward. Even though it was literally along the corridor (like 10 foot away!) at that point in my labour I did not want to move AT ALL, so much so I pushed like no tomorrow and she came out (so infact I didn't have to move) - but she then needed resuc and I was glad to be in big hospital.

After that experience (ie of knowing I wouldn't want to move mid-labour) I wouldn't go to standalone MLU although happy to go back to MLU inside big hospital. However it will be easier for you 2nd time round so less likely to need to transfer? 2nd time round I went back to same MLU and it was all quicker and easier.

Book at the MLU, they have low transfer rates as they have such strict criteria for booking. Transfers are always timely (ie transferred when warning signs evident of a problem that MIGHT occur down the line)so the changes of an emergency transfer are very small. You have had a previous normal delivery of a good sized baby - you'll breeze through it this time.

You will get better care in the MLU. I would book for a MLU every time!

(From a midwife who has worked in both a stand alone MLU and an Obstetric led unit!!)

Thanks for the response, just realised I posted in pregnancy rather than childbirth, doh!

The MLU is attached to a hospital but not one with an obstetrics unit unfortunately, and there aren't any nearby with both.
Malteser - can the midwifes at the MLU deal with things such as shoulder dystocia and/or resuc? Someone told me that if I have a large baby again I would have a higher risk of this.

I had to transfer due to high blood pressure. Was a bit upset at the time but didn't feel it had any major impact on the rest of my labour. It was a 15-20 min ambulance ride. Worst bits were the speed humps! DC2 due in June and am now weighing up whether to attempt local MLU again or go to new MLU inside main hospital in case BP problems again.