pph second time round?

[madeinscotland88]

Hi all, I am only 14 weeks pregnant with my second but I bled heavily with my first and am already freaking out!

His labour lasted three whole days which may explain the hemorrhage but still scary. He was back to back the entire time and was delivered that way in the birthing pool still in his waters (which was cute). When he was out to his waist I was unable to push, not because I was tired but it felt as though nothing was working! I only had gas and air. After he was delivered the afterbirth came out immediately and I lost 2.5 litres of blood. I had a horrendous experience of a surgeon manually contracting my womb to stop the bleeding while being held down by four nurses and two blood transfusions that night.

It's not the labour that scaring me this time, after three days with my first I am sure the next one will be fine! But I am getting very anxious of the after. I don't know whether I should elect for a cesarean this time, I understand there is a higher chance of PPH with that than a natural but at only 3 months Im already waking up in the night sweating with the thought of what is to come!

Thanks for any advice!

I had a pph 5 days after birth with DC1. I didn't have the injection to deliver the placenta. With DC2 I was typed and cross matched when I arrived at delivery, had a cannula sited so they had IV access if needed and two midwives for delivery. I was due to go on syntocin drip for 24 hours but it didn't happen as blood loss was low/normal. All fine and no repeat. I am sure you will be referred to a consultant and they should have a view in how likely it s to happen again. Good luck and have my fingers crossed for you.

I had a pph after the birth of my ds and was referred to a consultant this time round (currently 28 weeks). To be honest the consultant didn't seem at all concerned! She said that the risk is slightly higher, but is still very very small. And that they will just be more prepared this time just incase (I assume they mean have the canula in ready)

Have you spoken to your midwife about it?

I've only seen the midwife for my booking appointment and all she said is that I definitely cannot be allowed a home birth or to be in the midwife led unit where I was last time. I wont get to see a midwife again until I am 24 weeks so this gives me over 2 months to work myself up!

I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of cesarean vs natural but at the same time I can't predict the future so I have no idea what to do!

I had a PPH with DC1 but nowhere as drastic as yours. It followed a very long first stage, augmentation and forceps.

DC2 no problem at all. I had a homebirth, which in my case the obstetric consultant was fine with. Different to you, as your bleed was much worse, but I wouldn't worry too much. 2nd births are often very different, in a good way!

I had a traumatic pph with first birth. Blood loss was 2.1l. I saw a consultant who said it was more likely to happen as it had before, induction was a definite no and going over due wasn't recommended. So I could mentally prepare for one method of delivery I opted for a c section. Consultant was supportive of this. I was terrified i would bleed again but was reassured that all the drugs would be in place.

During the operation it was obvious that there was a bleed and they were giving me drugs. It was quickly under control and I only lost 1.5l. I was told afterwards that my uterus is more vascular than normal and the reason for the bleed. I'm pleased with my delivery choice. Recovery was much easier than after normal delivery and the situation was calm and controlled. My worst nightmare was opting for normal delivery and then having the panic of a bleed. Medically they can probably manage in either situation but I guess it's up to how to you how you feel about it emotionally.

I'm currently 22 weeks with my second baby, and when ds was born I had a pph of 7.2l (long labour, forceps etc). This time around I'm not feeling too worried about another pph although I have a feeling it will almost certainly happen, but the mw knows my history, I'm seeing a consultant in a few weeks, and when I arrive at the hospital to give birth they will be aware of my history and put in a cannula and keep a close eye on me. I think as long as you can minimise interventions and do everything you can to make things easy, such as keeping mobile and active, it will be ok. That's what I'm hoping anyway!

I had a 2 litre haemorrhage with my first.

With 2nd had active management of placenta and made sure I took my iron tablets through pregnancy. Blood loss was about 250ml.

I had a just over 1litre PPH with DC1. I had 3 subsequent natural deliveries without one.

However, I wasn't allowed a home birth, wasn't allowed in a birthing pool and had to have a cannula in the back of my hand from early in the labour.

I had a PPH too after a completely normal delivery with DS. I had no drip afterwards, no fluids, just got told to drink. Went home anaemic and feeling like shit for weeks.

I'm expecting no.2 and am worried about it happening again! I'm under consultant care this time due to different reasons so I'll have a chat with them. It's a horrible experience so I think it's normal to worry.