Labour and birth

February 9, 2010

I had a c section 12 yrs ago, as i was taken in on my due date for a large baby, i`m 5ft, they tried to induce me over 3 days and nothing happened so they decided i needed to have a c section. I then went on to have a very successful and enjoyable vbac in nov 2007. Im pregnant again and i want to be able to use a local MLU, is it my right to be able to choose mlu or will i be forced to use the consultant led team? many thanks

A. I'm really pleased that you were able to achieve a vaginal birth after your earlier caesarean section (VBAC). Experiences such as this often give women renewed confidence in their body's ability to labour normally and give birth, so I can understand your wish to use your local midwifery led unit (MLU) in your current pre...
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February 8, 2010

I am expecting my second baby at the end of March (I am currently 30 weeks pregnant) and had a pretty awful time giving birth to my first child - strep B antibiotics, induction, 2 failed epidurals, a 3rd degree tear and then a cocktail of drugs afterwards (to cut a long story short)... Obviously I am slightly nervous about giving birth for a second time. I was really hoping to have as natural birth as possible but have been told I have to go to hospital and have iv antibiotics. What are my options I regards to treatment and choice of place of birth?? Thanks

A. It is understandable to feel apprehensive about the birth of your second baby when you've had a difficult time previously. However, please be reassured that events often tend to progress more smoothly second time around; this is because your body already knows what to do - ie it knows how to labour and give birth. There ...
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February 2, 2010

I am pregnant with my second child and planning a homebirth. However, after my first delivery, I lost around a litre of blood and suffered a retained placenta, which had to be manually removed. I am unsure exactly why this happened and haven`t been able to find out the risk of it happening again. I don`t want to give birth at home if I`m at high risk of another postpartum haemmorage, as my midwife has explained that it might be impossible for her to stop the bleeding. Do you know what my risk is? And can you explain why I passed several large clots of blood before the placenta came out?

A. Choosing the preferred location for your baby's birth is an important decision to make and in considering which option(s) is safest for you and your baby's well-being, you, your partner, the midwife and doctor will consider how your current pregnancy has progressed (ie whether there have been any concerns or problems), w...
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November 26, 2009

Hi, I`m 20 weeks pregnant with my second baby (first was delivered by Elective LSCS for breech at 38 weeks). I want a VBAC for my second baby but don`t want to be restricted to the bed. I`ve been told that I have to be continuously monitored so will have to be bed bound or at least stay sitting in a chair! I understand that this is due to the small risk of scar rupture. Is there any way that I can stand, walk, pace during labour as I don`t want to stay still? Also is intermittent monitoring completely out of the question? Thank you!

A. In the past, once you had given birth by caesarean section it was virtually inevitable that any subsequent births you went on to have would also be by caesarean. This was because the placement of the cut/incision meant there was a risk of the womb (uterus) tearing during labour (this is called ‘uterine rupture'). Howev...
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November 26, 2009

Hi, I have 2 sons with which both i had emergency caesarean sections, i am pregnant again does this automatically mean i`ll have to have another section?

A. Unfortunately, there is very little research that has looked at women's success in having a vaginal birth after they've had two or more caesarean sections. From the studies that have been done, some suggest that the rate of successful vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) is no worse for women who have had two or more pre...
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November 2, 2009

Hi I would really like either a home birth or to a least be able to go to the midwife led unit attached to one of our local hospitals. However I am regularly being monitored by the obstetrician as I had ashermans syndrome and they have said that i will be having a hospital birth. I am 30 weeks pregnant now and so far no complications. I know they are being extra cautious (which is good) but are compromises made in situations like mine where the pregnant woman aspires to a mpre natural environment to give birth in but is considered `high risk`

A. It can be frustrating, not to mention upsetting, when you've set your heart on something, only to find that circumstances beyond your control look set to impede things. This seems to be the case for you, where you would like a more home-like environment for your baby's birth, but are being advised by your obstetrician to...
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August 6, 2009

Hi, I am absolutely terrified of giving birth. I have discussed it in detail with Midwifes at caesarean.org.uk, who told me the facts, the steps involved and after hearing my history, told me that a normal birth might not be very good in my case. She also told me to get the process of discussion and counselling started BEFORE I am pregnant, which I did 9 months ago. Nothing came from it, GP dismissed it, wrote a letter to St Thomas for referral, but nothing came from it. I delayed getting pregnant until I got some feedback or reassurance. Nothing happened. Recently we started to try for a baby, and thankfully I fell quite soon. I am now 5 weeks pregnant, BUT absolutely stressed and terrified that when I see the midwife for the first time, she might dismiss these fears and tell me they will talk about it at 34 weeks or something, in which case I will remain this stressed until that day!!! What do I do if she dismisses it?

A. Firstly, very many congratulations on your pregnancy; this is a very exciting time for you and your partner and it's sad that all this excitement is being eclipsed by your current fears and anxieties. I am also disappointed to hear that having taken very proactive steps to get discussion and counselling started, you have not...
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August 4, 2009

ive previously had a c section a year ago,im 25 weeks pregnant now can i have a repeat section?first one was brech

A. For a lot of women having their first baby, one of the main reasons for having a caesarean is when their baby is found to be in the breech position (‘bottom down'). While in the past, once a caesarean section had been performed it was often automatic that any future births would also be by caesarean, this is now no lon...
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April 28, 2009

If at the time of delivery, ie: I need to push, and the midwife finds that what was thought to be a head is actually a bottom, how forcefully would I be pressured to go for a section, why woulnt a midwife just allow me to give birth

A. The midwife caring for you in labour will check your and your baby's wellbeing regularly throughout labour and the birth to ensure that everything is progressing as it should. The examinations that the midwife undertakes to monitor your progress include abdominal palpations and internal (vaginal) examinations. During an ...
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January 15, 2009

I had gestational diabetes during my pregnancy and had a terrible labour - induced, continuous monitoring, couldn`t get into a bath for pain relief etc. It`s put me off getting pregnant again. If I do and I get GD again, do I have the right to refuse to be induced?

A. I'm sorry to hear that you went through such a difficult time with your last labour; it can be very upsetting when what you had planned for your baby's birth becomes altered by circumstances that are beyond your control. As you may know, gestational diabetes affects between 3-10% of women in pregnancy, with some women ...
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Informed Choice titles

Support in labour
Listening to your baby`s heartbeat during labour
Ultrasound scans - what you need to know
Alcohol and pregnancy
Positions for labour and birth
Epidural pain relief in labour
Feeding your baby - breast or bottle?
Is my baby alright?
If your baby is in the breech position, what are your choices?
Where will you have your baby?
Do you want a waterbirth?
When your baby is overdue
Eating well - for your baby and for you

Non-epidural pain relief
Caring for yourself and feeling well after you have had your baby
How will your baby be born?
Caesarean section and subsequent births
Vitamin K for your baby
Information for women who are Rhesus negative
Mood changes after childbirth
Sickle cell and thalassaemia disorders: screening offered to mothers and babies
Sexual health and contraception before and after childbirth
Anaemia - preventing, detecting and treatment in pregnancy and beyond
Infections in pregnancy - prevention, detection and treatment
Health for parenthood - practical advice on how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for you and your baby