Just had a lovely midwife round to do the routine checks, I hadn't met her before.
She was great, but made me feel a bit anxious about some aspects.
Mainly it's about my iron level (sorry to harp on about this). It's around 9.5, their 'limit' is 10 apparently although she said they'd have by law to respect my wishes if I still wanted a home birth.
I don't see that 9.5 is such a calamity as it's not far off exactly? I know they have to cover themselves and don't want to put anyone to any trouble.
But then she said that were I to be in hospital rather than here, they'd stick a canula in my arm 'just so it was there', in case I needed synto etc. because of bleeding.
I somehow feel resentful about this 'automatic intervention'. I don't know a lot of people who've had huge PPH problems, and to sort of assume I will just because my iron's a bit low, seems unfair and silly (though I know they just want to be on the safe side? Could be said about a lot of unnecessary c-sections as well)
Anyway I told her I didn't want syntometrine, as it made me sick, and would they be able to give syntocinon instead?
She said no!!! Apparently it's reserved for one particular situation, I can't remember what now. But she seemed to be saying they'll just bung in some syntometrine if I run into any problems with the third stage, and said it like I should be relieved and reassured by that!!! (my reaction to it was horrendous last time, so I've no intention of giving birth at all if that's part of the rules! Let me out of here...)
Does this seem a bit OTT to anyone else or am I just being overanxious? (again)
OTOH she was a sweetheart in other ways, even tried on my boots as we have the same size feet!