What would you do? Possible change of hospital at 38 weeks pregnant.

Hi all,

I am almost 38 weeks pregnant with bub no. 2 and was planning to give birth at our small local hospital again. Until we heard yesterday that OH&S auditors closed the only operating theatre in the hospital for the next three months. This means that if I happen to need an emergency c-section or end up heamoraghing I will have to be transferred by ambulance to a hospital 60 kms away...

I talked to my gp/ob today, and he said I am classed as low risk with a slightly higher risk of needing a vac assisted delivery due to having one with my first birth. This means that I will have the choice to deliver locally or change hospitals at 38 weeks. I don't know the other hospital or any of the midwives/ob's. It has really thrown me and I don't know what to do. My mind says to stay here, but the 'what ifs' and a very nervous DH are stressing me out.

What would you do in my situation? And does anyone (Alan?) know of any statistics of risks of emergency c-section/heamoraghing in low risk second pregnancy?

Just wanted to give you a big warm :hug:, what a time for you to have to think about so late into your pregnancy :(

I hope someone can come in and give you the stats, but as things went well with your first bubba, you would still be a low risk for it happening this time, you may not even need the assitance as bub may be in a different position and your body has done it before so it will have stretch more IYKWIM.

:hug: I hope that someone can reassure you and your DH, 60km is a big drive, but hopefully it wouldn't be necessary.
Take care and all the very best for your upcoming delivery xxoo

I sort of had the same issue, at 37 weeks i was told i could no longer attempt a vbac at the hossy i was booked into (small country hossy as well) as they were closing down the theater part of the hospital over the xmas holidays ( i was due 30th december) So of course being that i was trying for a vbac there was no way they would take me. I had to book in and go through the motions very quickly with the other hossy i had to go to.

Both my pregnancies were pretty easy with no complications until birth :wall:

Im probably not much help but i would go with whoever you are comfortable with, i wasnt comfortable with the hossy i ended up having to go to so was on edge the whole time but they ended up being fantastic.

Hmmm anywho just want to wish you luck kinda got off topic there ;) and i hope its not to stressful trying to figure out what to do...especially this far along in you pregnancy

Hi Esme
One of the major components of a stress free and therefore often a less problematic birth is how you feel about your place of birth and how much control you have over your birth. If you choose to birth at your local hospital and end up needing to transfer then whilst you are being transferred the larger hospital will be preparing the theatre for your arrival. If you chose to birth at the larger hospital and then needed a CS, it could take, depending on the time of day and the size of the larger hospital, an hour or more to prepare an operating theatre and call in the staff needed for your CS. So you need to look at each of the hospital and consider a few things like, are you free to birth in a position of your choice or are you forced to be on the bed. Can you wander around during your labour. Does the hospital use intermittent monitoring or are you strapped to a machine for long periods. Do you feel at ease your GP/OB and the midwives at your local hospital.

I don’t know the risk statistics for an emergency CS or haemorrhage for birth number 2 but i am sure that they are no greater than they are for your first birth. If I had to make a guess I would in fact say that the risk of something going wrong during birth is lower for the second birth than it was for the first birth. The reason for me saying this is because you and your body have done this before. You know what to expect and to some degree what is coming next.

As for your Vacuum extraction. Just because you had one with your first birth does not mean that you will need one for this birth. A couple of common reasons for needing a Vac is because of a long labour, you run out of energy. Lack of sleep/rest. Birth position. Impatient doctor. Mum’s fear of the pain when pushing, Position of baby’s head.

Hopefully this will give you something to consider had help you to get the best birth experience you can considering the situation in your town.

Thanks so much for your replies everyone.

Beema - Thank you so much for your wonderful words, they really mean a lot.

Minny - So sorry to hear you had to go through all this too. Thanks for letting me know your experience and congratulations on the birth of your little man; he is beautiful!

Alan- that was just the kind of reassurance I was looking for as i hope to give birth here at Leeton. My waters have just broken and contractions have started, so I suppose we will hope for a uncomplicated delivery :crossfingers:.

Ohh how exciting :D good luck chicky will be watching out for your birth announcement!

Ooooh Esme!!! So happy for you!! Cant wait to see your BA!

Good luck hun. Please let us know how you go.

FYI I used to work at Leeton - Its a nice little hospital with some good midwives

Ooohhh Goodluck Esme, wonderful to hear that everything is happening for you :hug:
Can't wait for your BA!!! xxoo

Good luck Esme, wishing you all the best for a great birth!!

Hi People, Esme's DP here, all went well and Esme asked me to let you guys know that Mummy and baby are doing fine.

Congratulations to you both. and a big welcome to little Esme

oh wow, i just seen this! how exciting!!!

Congrats hun!!!

Oh wow that was quick! Congrats and welcome little esme!