Would you give birth in a midwifery led unit?

[Karina]

I too felt my hospital wasnt a particularly empowering place to be. As soon as I rocked in when I was in labour, I felt like i was spoken down to by the random midiwfe who was on duty. Midwife was being an arse and when I was squatting when I had contractions (because its what felt good at the time) the midwife told me "what are you doing, why are you doing that, get up on the bed". It was more her tone that made me feel little. It was in the regular labour ward as the bookings person pretty much told me to use the labour ward not the birth centre (another disempowering moment from them).

On a bit of a side note, when I told people I was pregnant, one of the first things people asked (after when the baby was due) was: "oh are you going to XXX private hospital? I've heard its really nice" as if its just normally expected to go to a private hospital under the care of an obstetrician (no offence intended to people who choose this option, it was just wierd that everyone seemed to expect me to do it). People thought it was a bit strange that I didnt see a doctor at all for my pregnancy and saw (and planned to see) midwives only.

[richsaralex]

Karina - I had exactly the same experience as far as people's reactions to my choices. People couldnt beleive I hadn't seen an Ob, or that i hadnt even seen a GP. They actually made it sound like I was making an irresponsible decision!! The fact that i was a young mum (I was 24 when my little boy was born) meant that alot of people didnt take me too seriously either, and felt it was their right to tell me what I was doing wrong - very frustrating!!

And when I say I had a water birth I get a mixture of incredulity and (sometimes - rarely) jealousy (from those who didnt know it was even available!). Also, the fact that I was only in the birthing suite with my midwife for half an hour before my son was born (so therefore no time for pain relief!) people almost fall over with shock! Apparently i'm incredibly irresponsible for staying at home so long (shock horror!)

Trying to explain my decision was like hitting my head against a brick wall - people are so brow beaten and terrified by the medical profession that I eventually just gave up trying to explain myself - all I hit up against was peoples judgements and fears. With this baby I think i'll be much more prepared for peoples reactions, and maybe i'll manage to bring a few people around to my p.o.v. - you just never know!!

[paradise lost]

I had a homebirth and still get raised eyebrows and "Well, i guess you were among the lucky ones" when i mention it. I tell people "I didn't base my decision on newspaper stories or other people's fears, i looked at peer-reviewed medical research. It seemed a more intelligent way to assess risk." and leave it at that. There are no papers proving how dangerous homebirth or midwifery-led care is, because it isn't. It might be cruel of me, but i'd rather they realised they are being irrational than let them go on thinking i am.

Bx