Planning a homebirth but been advised to go in to hospital as too risky

[sarahmikeandharry]

Well let me fill you in on my DS's birth-

Waters broke early hours of 22-1-05- (37+2gestation)went to hospital to be told no not gone-!!! ok- go home return in 24hours or before if necesarry.

Went about our plans for the day- 1 pm- contrations began- Went back to hospital at 3pm- deliverd at 3-22pm, 5lb 8oz, no problems, not tear, baby all fine,

Went to ward was at home noon next day.

Fantastic experience,no pain relief as not enough time!!! I knew if i had more children the would like a home birth.!!!

So fell pregnant with this baby who is a girl, due 3-02-08(3.5weeks to go) normal pregnancy, i have a high BMI as when i had DS, normal BP, Glucose fine, all routing obs good-

Baby approx 6lb at mo - had growth scan last friday- all well, head down 4/5engaged.

Was asked to see constultant to discuss home delivery, went to day he informed me
does not recommend home delivery as i am overweight*and high risk!

I know people much larger than me that have had home deliveries with no compications, and previous del was fantastic!!!

apparently its to risky as i could hemorrage!! he said i could die being transferred if this happens, (i live less than 5mins away from the hospital)Can't everyone have a riskof haemorraging regardless of weight?

Tried to say my BP was a risk as it was raised after DS was delivered,

He was early and small- we have established her approx weight and thats fine!!!

MW did not see a problem when i saw her last thurs so now really confused about whether i am being totally selfish or should be bullied as i am fat!!!!!

I do not wish to be a trouble maker nor put myself of my child in any danger,

please can i have some thoughts on this!!

I do not feel i am putting any risk to myself, Lo or family, but perhaps i am being blinkered.

Your opinions will mean alot expecially anyone who has experienced negative advice.

sorry for the long post!!!!

P.S My Mw is coming tomorrow to discuss the birth plan and deliver HB equipment

Hmm, you might want to go onto the Yahoo Groups homebirth chat list - they have a few ladies with this issue. Basically you can demand one if you want one and it's up to you.

Did you bleed a lot last time? If your midwife is happy then personally I would go with my gut feeling.

How high exactly is your BMI? Sounds like the consultant may be being a tad overzealous here.

I was a birth partner for a friend last summer, she is very overweight, and also wanted a homebirth.

I went with her and her dh to an appointment with a consultant, who kept repeating to her that she was too high risk for a homebirth due to her weight. We argued (politely) and requested evidence that this was a problem.

He was unable (or unwilling?) to provide us with any. He just kept parroting that her weight posed a risk, and telling us that the "midwives might have trouble accessing a vein" if she had a homebirth. Quite why the midwives at a homebirth would need to access a vein was a subject he could not expand on.

TBH I'd ignore him. The decision is yours, and if your midwife is happy with it I'd trust her - she is an expert in normal childbirth. The consultant, though he may be an expert, is not accustomed to normal childbirth.

If your midwife is happy to deliver you at home, I would go with her advice rather than the consultant. If you have the support of your DP/DH and midwife, I think you should go with your gut instinct.

i had a negative response from dr at hospital because it was number 4 but i was told with number 3 that number 4 was the best to have at home if you only 5 mins away i would go with it i had number 4 at home and it was great

Thanks everyone, your responces have been really helpful,

Whomovedmychocolate- no i did not bleed after having DS, no complication at all!!! and my BMI is 41. (it was about 39 last time)

My DH DM and midwives are fully supportive so i think will continue with my plans, i just did not want to be labelled as an unfit mother who does not care by going againt medical advise.

Sarakmikeandharry, so you have shown previously you can successful birth. You are a bit fatter - so what? You are in a slightly higher risk category (because they do BMIs in 5s so 20-25 fine, 25-30 not so good and so on) hence their new found reluctance.

Since the midwives are supportive I'd go for it - good luck to you.

It's bollocks, am also overweight and had the same problen with my consultant. I just insisted and they let it be.

See this article, "Junk Science about Obesity and Childbearing"

The radio 4 statistics programme "More or Less" recently discussed how the risks facing overweight mothers are exaggerated due to poor analysis in these alarmist studies. It's the December 10th programme, you can listen to it here.

Don't let them bully you about this one, you sound like an ideal candidate for a home birth, good luck getting the birth you want.

Just a small point but the sizing scans in utero are a complete nonsense.

I had loads (3d, colour you name I had it) with DD as I'd fractured my pelvis as a teen.

They were way off.

I wanted a home birth, but because my blood clots slowly have to be in hospital as a precaution. With DC4 I arrived 1/2 hour before birth, stayed 3 hours and then came home with him. I haemorraged with DC2 and it did cause a bit of a panic.

Also, it is quite normal for us all to be a bit heavier with each pg. Good luck with it all.

Hi, I was also refused a home birth a few montsh back but have managed to talk consultanta round. APrt of the reason fror efusal was the size of ds 1 (5lb and a bit), and partly the BP issues and eclampsia I ahd with him. however, I have since had 2 normal births and have enough knowledge to understand the chances of the eclampsia (which caused all the issues) returning is minimal.

I managed to get a mind change with the support of the group AIMS (association for improvemnt in amternity care) who sent me loads of info.

however, I would caution that sizings cans are notoriously unreliable and have an error amrgin bigger than you'd expect. So do be aware of that.

Should there be any concerns about babies growth (28 weeks atm, MW coming at 4 weeks for HB visit) Ill be in hospital ASAP. My ds1 has Sn whioch may be or maybe not related to his birth problems, but I am not risking it if there's doubts over size or BP. fortuantely BP falling atm LOL.

AiMs

and at 34 weeks, obv LOL

thanks peachy and Dizietsma- your info has been really helpfull.

Thanks to all posters, really appreciate your help and opinions on this matter,

I would also add that this labour will probably be even quicker (2nd labours 'usually' are) and since your last birth was so quick you may be best off not even attempting to transfer into hospital, even if it is very close.

please take a look at the 'why cant i....' section of homebirth.org.uk.

stay strong.

cx

I'm sorry, it sounds like you're being bullied by an anti-HB consultant.

I've been in this position, where in fact the consultant had far more grounds for refusing me HB (I'm overweight, I have sugar issues at the end of all my pgs and my babies have all been big but not fat from excess sugar, and this last baby - the one the consultant gave me grief over HB - was clearly going to be even bigger).

Get the m/w on your side. They are the ones who got the consultant to change her mind for me.

Got to dash - baby crying - but will try to return later.

Hi everyone-

MW and student have been out, all ok,

have said ideally not suitable for HB as BMi is hi- there are guidelines, nut it is my decision and they will support-

However will have to document as going againt medical advise to cover their backs in case of problems,- i am aware of this- feel much better though-

My BP normal today and urine has been sent off to lab as i have signs of infection- just drink lots of water and should be ok-

the midwife and i have decided that if i go into labour before next wed will have hospital birth,as the blood results from yesterdys appt wont be back- after that dependant on results should have HB as i wish.

Thanks for all your help and support eveyone!!!

What tosh!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck with your HB.

That sounds like a sensible conclusion - all the best with the birth whereever you end up doing it!

my m/w is fine with me having a homebirth without looking at BMI, however at checkup with another m/w a couple of days after being left the "risk assessment" paperwork, she mentioned that BMI was one of the big sticking grounds for home births. Mine's 39, so she said that was fine as 40 is their cutoff. I can't personally see how there's much difference between a BMI of 39 and 41, if you're overweight so what? BMI of 50 possibly, but it's all so arbitrary. The reason i got was that it's more difficult for the m/w to palpate your belly if there's excess fat, and it's harder to monitor the heartbeat. But if all's going smoothly they shouldn't have much trouble locating the heartbeat surely?