In episode seven of the third series, we meet Lilia who had her first baby in a stand-alone midwife-led birth centre. Lilia had a quick birth and a very positive experience being well supported by her partner, mum and the team at the birth centre. 

Topics covered in this episode include: taking time to fall pregnant, healthy pregnancy, expectations vs reality of maternity care, planning to birth in a stand-alone midwifery unit/birth centre, braxton hicks, gentle early labour, 7 cm dilated on arrival, having two birth partners (covid regulations stress), labour in water, birth on land, supportive partner and care team, small tear, stitches, skin to skin, being admitted to the postnatal ward for breastfeeding support, reflections on parenting.

Many people assume at least for their first birth that they will have to birth in the hospital but the evidence shows that you may be more likely to have a safe and positive experience of birth if you choose a birth centre. The main “risk” found in this research study was that when birthing for the first time you have a high chance of needing to transfer to the hospital but with that chance being up to 45% it’s still more likely that you will birth in the birth centre without any issues. It’s also important to remember that most of those transfers are not emergency situations but more likely to be like in this birth story where you chose to go to the hospital for something specific that’s available there for example an epidural, stitches or overnight postnatal support. 

https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/birthplace-in-england-follow-up-analysis-reveals-some-variation-between-units-delivering-maternity-care/

https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/2353/freestanding-midwifery-units-busting-the-myths.pdf

One of the biggest impacts that Lillia talks about was the effect of having a team of people caring for her who were there for her as an individual with respect and encouragement. There’s a lot of evidence that having a midwife who knows you with you through your birth can keep you safer and improve your experience. If you have the option of a continuity of care midwifery team you may want to consider taking that option. 

https://www.england.nhs.uk/blog/the-importance-of-continuity-of-carer-in-maternity-services/