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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

IS IT REASONNABLE TO OPT FOR HB WHEN FIRST DD WAS 10 POUNDS ??

42 replies

Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 14:32

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Saturn74 · 13/02/2007 14:36

My second baby was half a pound smaller than my first, both were overdue by two weeks.
Is your midwife helpful and supportive?

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Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 14:41

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Saturn74 · 13/02/2007 14:45

I would ask the GP for a referral to see a specialist. You need to speak to someone who will discuss all the issues with you, and not just dismiss the idea out of hand. Is there another midwife you could speak to?

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Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 14:52

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Bozza · 13/02/2007 14:55

My first baby was 9 lb 10 oz.

My second baby was 8 lb 12 oz and born at home after a short labour and only 5 minute second stage.

Another thing to bear in mind is that you can always book a home birth and change your mind at any time. So I would be tempted to book it and take it from there.

missuspirana · 13/02/2007 14:56

2nd babies aren't always bigger.
The NCT are helpful. Did the doctor give a valid medical reason why you would be at risk.
When you labour at home you are far more relaxed and you have one to one support of a midwife (possible two at the end).
Provided you pregnancy is normal you should at least be able to ask for a trial of labour at home.
Good luck
PS Had a home water birth last June for DD after a horrible hosipital birth with DS. It can be done!

Original poster

Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:04

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runnyhabbit · 13/02/2007 15:07

Hi Summerfruit,

I'm in a very similar situation to you. Ds wasn't as big as your dd (8lb 4) but was 10 days over, long labour, and ended up being delivered with ventouse.
Our second one is due April (8weeks today omg!)
My mw suggested a hb to me at my booking appt. I was wary at first, considering my first birth. But as time has gone on, each mw has fully supported our decision for a hb. They have told me that if you stay at home, you are more relaxed, you feel more in control, and therefore there is less chance of any medical intervention iyswim, regardless of baby size. One mw I saw said that as long as you're not high risk, then there's no reason why you shouldn't have a hb.
(btw, I've heard that its easier to give birth to a bigger baby - not sure how true it is )

We have a pre-birth appt at 34wks where the mw comes out to our home, and we go through every option with a fine toothcomb. Do you have this?

Bozza · 13/02/2007 15:09

I think you have got the idea of the trial thing summerfruit. Also btw although DD was nearly 1lb less than DS I was referred to a consultant in late pg because of being big for dates and told that the baby would likely be 10lb plus - only she wasn't.

If you want a home birth, and have no major medical issues (placenta praevia, pre-emclampsia etc) then I would suggest planning for one and seeing how it goes.

How far are you from the hospital?

runnyhabbit · 13/02/2007 15:10

Agree with the other posts regarding place of birth. Mw said if we are considering a hb, then its best to leave the box "unplanned/hb" on mat notes. Its easier to do it that way round, then plan for hospital birth, and decide half through labour you want to have it home. Does that make sense?

Bozza · 13/02/2007 15:10

I think giving birth to DD stood up (leaning on the bed) really helped matters along.

Olihan · 13/02/2007 15:14

I'm another who's 2nd baby was smaller than the first (8lbs 8oz then 8lbs 4oz). I also had a 33 hour labour ending in ventouse delivery with my first. My second labour was only 3 hours and completely straightforward (alhough I was induced because she was 12 days late). My third labour was totally natural, no intervention at all, lasted 2.5 hours from the first contraction and I had a 10lbs 2.5 oz baby. So even if your next one s a bit bigger I doubt you'll have any problems as you've delivered a good sized baby before.

lulumama · 13/02/2007 15:16

my second baby was almost half a pound smaller than my first !

i think it is perfectly reasonable to go for a homebirth, your labour is likely to go smoothly where you feel safe and supported x

Belgianchocolatesmama · 13/02/2007 15:16

Summerfruit, don't you have your AN care with a midwife? That's just appaling TBH, a midwife is the right person to talk to as GP's often don't know all that much about childbirth IMHO. Sorry, to have a little rant, but as an almost MW myself it grieves me to hear that there's still situations as yours out there.
Start badgering someone so you can see a MW or even an obstetrician asap.
And as many others said my dc2 was a 5 ounces lighter than dc1, so they're not always heavier.

Original poster

Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:19

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CocoLoco · 13/02/2007 15:20

Have you seen the Homebirth site? Lots of birth stories on there from people with big babies, I know several people who've had 10 or 11lb babies at home.

As has already been said, it's a lot easier to transfer in from a planned homebirth if you want or need to, than to change your plans at the last minute to a homebirth.

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Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:23

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runnyhabbit · 13/02/2007 15:25

I too, cannot believe the difference in care throughout the UK. My mw's are brilliant - very, very supportive.
Might be an idea and do your reasearch. As Bozza said, how far are you from the hospital? Maybe start writing your birth plan now, with a few plan b/c/d included? And stress to them that you're not going to do anything that will you/baby at risk, but by the same token, you want to be in control.

Btw, I am suffering from SPD this time round (complete with crutches ) and the physio is totally supporting my decision for a hb.

Original poster

Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:26

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Belgianchocolatesmama · 13/02/2007 15:28

Sorry to hear that Summerfruit. Do you think you could afford an independent midwife? Or do you have the number for the supervisor of midwives where you live? The Supervisor could help you I think.

If I were you I would definitely write a letter to your Trust to let them know about the appalling lack of community midwives.

I'm sure you've heard about the job freezes and the newly qualified midwives who can't find a job (including some of my classmates). I just can't beleive some women like you are not getting the care they deserve while there are unemployed midwives out there. So shocking and sad

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Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:30

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Belgianchocolatesmama · 13/02/2007 15:31

Yes runnyrabbit. Where I'm living (which is by no means an affluent area) all women are seen by the cmw throughout their pregnancy and don't even see their GP once. The Trust has also set a target that all women get a home visit for both their booking history and the birth plan. I must say that they have it almost right (except for the bit that although MW do all of this, they are understaffed and overworked)

runnyhabbit · 13/02/2007 15:31

SF - have a look at the BirthChoiceUK website. It gives some really good stats for your area in terms of assisted deliverys, hb etc. I found it v useful when talking to dh about hb.

You might need to double check if you will be having a pre birth appt. A friend of mine didn't have one. She lives quite close by, but looked after by a different Health Auhtority.

Belgianchocolatesmama · 13/02/2007 15:34

Oh runny I called you runnyrabbit. Sorry I think my dd's rabbit obsession is getting to me!

Original poster

Summerfruit · 13/02/2007 15:34

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