Has anyone had a homebirth after 3rd degree tear, PPH and retained placenta?

[Flisspaps]

As above really - apologies for the long post. Looking for a bit of reassurance from others in the same boat.

Was induced with DD at 40+15, synto drip, CFM, epidural, episiotomy (extended to a 3a tear) forceps, 700ml PPH and MROP in theatre.

(Intervention bingo anyone?)

Am now 9+2 with DC2, and am booking in on Saturday so expect MW to bring up plans for birth as they did at my booking in appt for DD.

I wanted a homebirth first time round, and want a homebirth this time round. I have had no issues re the tear (continence etc). Up to 500ml blood loss is 'normal' and that's before taking into account expected blood loss from the tear. I was given Syntometrine (which I didn't want but understand them administering it if I was haemmoraging) and then had a retained placenta.

Birth notes state 'uterine atony', not surprising after 17 hours of synto-induced contractions

I believe that every issue I suffered was iatrogenic (no way of proving whether they were or were not, of course) but I get the feeling that the MW and consultant are going to try and talk me into a CLU birth (unless there's a medical issue at the end of pregnancy eg breech position or placenta praevia). I've looked at the risks of repeat PPH and feel that the biggest risk is going back into hospital!

I know that I cannot be forbidden or permitted a homebirth by anyone other than myself, but am looking for stories from people who had both a tear and PPH and had a successful homebirth...anyone (medals to those who made it this far!)

Not personally but I do know other doulas who've supported women in similar situations who've had homebirths.

Have you joined the yahoo homebirth group and looked at www.homebirth.org.uk - really useful if you haven't.

As you know weighing up the risk is all down to you - it may be worth booking an appointment the talk to the Supervisor of Midwives at your hospital. Talking through protocol and negotiating when someone wants to do something non-standard is all down to them and they are generally supportive and women-focused.

thanks for your replies. I've been on homebirth.org.uk since before dd was born and have read the nice guidance on birth post tears but have found no stories or advice from or for women who had all three main issues and had a subsequent homebirth. They all seen to have one or the other but never all 3! Will consider talking to the SOM if i come up against reluctant mw and consultant.

I had a PPH with DC1, only a minor tear though, due to her tearing my cervix on the way out. I lost 1000mls of blood very quickly. I also had retained placenta but it was a tiny amount and it was only identified by ultrasound when she was 10 weeks old and I had to have a D&C when she was 12 weeks old.

With DC2, I had a minor tear but again had minor tear and retained placenta. The midwives were very good and did an ultrasound soon after DD was born as they thought I was leaking a bit much blood and there was a piece of placenta again. Was taken to theatre for a general and manual placenta removal.

DC3, had a textbook delivery, very minor tear needing no stitches, no PPH and no retained placenta. Midwife came into the room a while after he was born and said she had run a bath. DH asked "who for" she looked bemused until he said we have never had a "normal" experience after delivery there has always been an issue : )

I had DC1 overseas but was back in the UK for the next two, my OB and the midwives wouldn't even let me be in the birthing pool due to me having a PPH first time round as they said it is very difficult to monitor blood loss in water. Also due to my PPH and my narrow wriggly veins the first thing the midwives insist on when I go into hospital for the birth is putting in an IV point in my hand so they can get fluids on board quickly if required.

I have always used active birthing skills but due to the scare we had when I had the PPH with DC1 a homebirth is not something for me. Hope that helps a little, I am waiting to see what no.4 has in store for me in Dec, preferably a delivery like DC3 : )

Thanks for that Fresh01 - so were all three of yours born in hospital then?

Yes, all of mine in hospital with only gas and air. For me, I wouldn't have wanted a homebirth after seeing how quickly my first delivery went from normal to an Ob and 4 midwives in the room. At my last 3 booking in appointments I have always been asked if I would consider midwife only care based on no pregnancy complications and my attitude, then they get to my delivery history and say sorry but you have to be in hospital not a birthing centre due to pph and retained placenta. But then i have never pushed that advice. Hope all goes the way you want at your booking in appointment.