Hi girls,

My first baby is due in August and I am still considering where to give birth. I wonder if any of you have given birth at a midwifery-led unit?

If so, would you do it again and why?

Thanks, G

hi G

i had my first baby at a hospital and hated the treatment i got there - the birth was ok but the after care was appauling and i discharged myself even though i should have stayed in longer.  i said that if i ever had another baby i would go to my local Midwifery led unit.  as it happened i ended up booking in at my 2nd nearest hospital instead. All i can say is thank god i did , as i had a very straightforward delivery 2nd time - he was born just 55mins after arriving there . i was all cleaned up , had tea and toast and was about to go to the maternity ward when i suffered a Huge post partum haemorraghe. Within seconds of the 3rd gush of blood , there were 3 midwifes, 2 consultants and 2 registrars in the room frantically working on me to save my life. if i had been in a midwifery led unit , they would have had to rushed me to hospital by ambulance but it may have been a different story, basically they had to contract my uterus as quickly as possible with the help of 2 drips, suppositories and injections or it could have been fatal, i also went into shock and was given oxygen and another drip which also saved me.

its a personal choice and i know what happened to me was rare , but i was classed as low rosk through out the whole pregnancy, so technically i could have opted for  a birthing centre .

its personal choice, i think it depends how near your nearest hopsital is to the birhting unit and you need to be aware that your birth plan could possible go out the window .  you may plan on having little pain relief but as its your first,you dont know your pain threshold. if you need an epidural, most birthing centres/ midwifery unite dont offer this facility!

i think be open minded, dont let my story put you off and think it thru

good luck and all the best whatever u decide G

Nicola- mums club oct08!

xxxxxx