MLU labour after previous postpartum haemorrhage?

[Gerdticker]

I had a retained placenta with PPH after my last (rather fast 5 hr) labour.

I had the baby in the water at an MLU (great birth!) but the cord snapped and I had to be transferred to hospital for manual removal in theatre. Unfortunately there was a huge delay due to a busy theatre, so I waited 5 hrs for the removal and had a 2.5 lite PPH in total while I waited. Then I had a blood transfusion.

I feel sad that maybe I wouldn’t have haemorrhaged nearly as badly If I hadn’t had to wait so long.

Anyway! Pregnant with DC2 now, and really really wanting to go back to the MLU as I had such a great experience there, and I don’t like hospitals after my awful experience!

Has anyone else had any experience of PPH, and managed to argue that they can have their next baby in the MLU? Or maybe a home birth?

Grateful for any advice or shared experience

Not exact same experience but my last baby (dc2) was a homebirth, I had a PPH and got ambulanced in to hospital for a transfusion. I asked while I was there if I would be “allowed” a homebirth again and they said it would be fine to have another one at home, (assuming low risk preg) and they would just be extra vigilant, I suppose the same as they would be in hospital.

Perhaps not a precise answer, but hopefully you won’t get a flat no. Best of luck with your pregnancy

@Youhavewonaprize
Thank you

Out of interest, did you learn what caused the PPH in the end? And might you know how much blood was lost?

It doesn’t sound like an issue that’s very likely to come up again. If you’re otherwise low risk I don’t see why you couldn’t be in the MLU again.

@BuffaloCauliflower thank you - that is my feeling too.

But I don’t want to be irresponsible so am trying to do all the research I can. Thanks for your message x

Hey OP.

I had a near identical birth to you. My little boy (1st child) was born last year, it was a 3 hour birth from first contraction, so a very quick labour. I had retained placenta, lost a similar amount of blood, ended up in theatre and also required transfusions.

I also loved the MLU, and birthed him in the water. When I saw my midwife after labour I actually asked her what would happen if I ever had a DC2. Would I be allowed to use the MLU.

She actually said it depends on the trust. Some units would say yes, others would say no. She said they'd just pre empt a pph for DC2 (just because of the increased chances of it happening again) and perhaps apply a cannula during or straight after birth just in case.

I realise that probably doesn't help, but basically I think it's down to each MLU! You could maybe give them a call and see how they feel about it?

Hope this helps!

@Gerdticker no I never found out the cause and it was all rather unclear what even happened. I know the water was very very red when I got out of the pool. Having seen videos of babies delivered in clear water I now know this wasn’t quite normal. But my bp was crashing and I lost consciousness a few times so they quite rightly sent me in to hospital. I only needed one unit transfused and it was recorded as >500mls loss, as it was all the the pool no one knows. So probably less severe in terms of loss than you, but it sounds like yours was a unique situation!

Certainly no harm having the discussion. You may get referred to see an obstetrician, who may well sign you off for MLU/Homebirth (I saw one for other reasons with dc2). There might be some doctors more pro HB/MLU - the midwives usually know who they are so you can ask for their opinion specifically