Does high risk pregnancy = high risk birth?

[MrsChrisPratt]

I'm having an IVF pregnancy that is considered high risk for a number of reasons :

IVF (regarded as higher risk in my area)
Started as twins but one died at 9 weeks
Underactive thyroid
Group Strep B identified

I'm wondering if anyone has ever been in a similar position and been allowed to labour in MLU/waterbirth? I'm not sure any of the above alone would preclude an MLU birth but am thinking the combination might push me over the line?

The MLU idea attached to the labour ward with an average transfer time of 2 minutes. I'm not precious about the birth and will do whatever needs to be done but just starting to think about how things might work

[pinguina16]

How old are you?

[MrsChrisPratt]

30

[pinguina16]

Ah that's good. Risks generally start increasing if you give birth for the first time after the age of 35.

Friend of mine had thyroid problems and it was strongly recommended she labour on the labour ward. She would really have preferred being in the midwife led unit but she told me that in the end, she had a natural birth on gas and air. She made her preferences clear in her birth plan (ie I'm on the labour ward but I really want my labour to be like on MLU (unless something new happened of course)).

I don't know enough about risk factors for all the conditions you mention but other posters will come along I'm sure.

[Redkite10a]

My hospital lets you in the MLU for strep B, but I've heard that it varies by hospital as to whether they will or not. I'd suggest getting in touch with the supervisor of midwives / consultant midwife to see if they can come up with a plan for you given the various factors you have, I'm guessing it'll make it harder for them to say yes without discussion.

[Dixiechick17]

I was high risk from 21 weeks and at 36 weeks was signed back to Midwife led care. I was then classed as low risk and had an MLU birth, I honestly thought I'd have to have a c section or would have a preemie as was at risk for premature birth, all worked out great in the end. Good luck :)

[Mummyme87]

Should be able to have a low risk labour and birth. You will be advised to have antibiotics in labour but other than that should be okay unless obviously something else crops up

[MrsChrisPratt]

Ooh, you guys are giving me a little bit of hope. Got my 25 week appointment next week so will ask midwife about this area's rules then. Obviously anything can change between now and then but just starting to think things through.

[5SpeckledFrogs]

I'm not sure about any of the other risks but I have an underactive thyroid (autoimmune thryroid disease) and have had two home births (second one a breech). As far as I understand it the underactive thyroid is a slightly increased risk during pregnancy, particularly the first trimester, but does not increase risk in labour. My thyroxine was slightly increased during pregnancy and both babies had to have a blood test two weeks after birth to check that thyroid antibodies hadn't crossed the placenta.

The British Thyroid Foundation has some information on thyroid in pregnancy on their website.