Scared for third labour!

[MrsR1216]

I’m unsure if my fears are rational or if anxiety is playing a big part in it! Currently 33+5 with DD3 and feel terrified about labour.

I coped pretty well with the pain, just G&A from when I’ve been around 8cm both times. But it’s the third stage which worries me most.

I’ve had retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage (900ml DD1 & 1800ml DD2) during both labours. I also have very fast labours and we are 45 minutes from the hospital in the city at best - if DD2 wasn’t born at 6:25am we wouldn’t have got there in time.

I’m considering requesting an ELCS as I’m so scared about the possibility of an unassisted homebirth and PPH. Consultant has said there is a high probability it’ll happen again but no preventatives so just a wait and see.

Am I just being ridiculous considering I actually labour really well until the third stage?

Hi there - I am sorry you are feeling scared. I have 3 DC and was worried about my third labour, as my previous two layouts were tricky. Third degree tears, blood transfusions after etc. I spoke to the hospital about it as said I wondered if a c sec could be more sensible in case I ended up with terrible damage if I had another tear upon healed tear! Especially as my scans showed the baby was large (over 9lb). I was discouraged from a c sec as they said you have to recover from the op which, when you have 2 other kids to get up and to school every day, is tough. With the best will in the world, with the third DC life really does just have to go on so harder to deal with the recovery unless you have a partner who will be around a lot (I didn’t as DH does 80 hour weeks) or help on tap. I was assured that I would have the most senior midwife on duty, they were prepped for when I arrived etc. I actually had an additional midwife assisting and it went well. They were very, very strict with me about my positions, when I pushed etc, but they got the baby out with no damage at all! Is it possible to have a reassuring conversation with the midwife / consultant? They had seen my notes so were just as anxious as I was that all was handled well!