PPH - what did you do the next time?

[babythreeincoming]

Posted yesterday, although think this title might get more engagement 🤞🏼

Third baby due in February 2024 and thinking more about the birth and what to do.

First baby born spontaneously at 40+2 weeks which was a forceps and episiotomy delivery. I lost a fair bit of blood once on the postnatal ward which was controlled and managed by the team. I was home the next day.

Second baby induced and born at 38+2 weeks due to high blood pressure. Baby was born fine, although I had to get another episiotomy which resulted in a hematoma and PPH. I had to go under GA to have this resolved and baby went to NICU for two nights due to a quick delivery and a bit mucusy/jaundice. They did something wrong with my catheter so I had to have this in for a week and didn't get home until 4 days after the induction. All in all it was hard.

I had a consultancy meeting on the 10th of October to discuss my blood pressure and birth where she said I should go for a vaginal delivery and the team will be watching me like a hawk, although something is in my head making me feel very anxious about the birth. I am on aspirin each evening and have a blood pressure monitor/urine sticks to check that each week.

I know PPH will more than likely happen again and a section can actually result in more blood loss, however, I am petrified of it all being a mad panic and also baby not being with me. Should I opt for a natural delivery with the hope of everything being ok?

Thanks for reading and insight/advice is so welcome xx

It seems like based on your post that you have fear of giving birth in general, like you are terrified of giving birth because you believe either way, you are doomed.

That mental position sucks because I've experienced these types of thoughts before and this period of overthinking and living in fear feel worse than actually going through another hemorrhage.

There are quite a few exercises that you can do to work through past birth trauma:

Deepest fear inventory
"The Work" of Byron Katie
Existential kink meditation.

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much @OnthePathwaytoPeace!

I will check out your suggestions 😊

Oh op I feel for you! I am in a similar boat, due in a few weeks. I had retained placenta last time which caused severe pph. Awful. They are giving me meds this time during Labour to try prevent another one, but I think your situation was caused by an epistomy the meds I’ll get might not be relevant to you. I have had two epistomyies and one forceps delivery, it’s miserable and I was left quite traumatised. I am really nervous about the next birth. However, a few things they have told me. I have been told I’ll be much much less likely to need an assisted delivery on my third baby. Prob will need an epistomy really as the scar tissue may not hold but they will decide at the time what’s wise. Also, I was told that although the risk of a pph may be higher than someone who never had one, the overall risk is still quite low so it likely won’t happen again. I was faced with the same dilemma with a section and they also said there would be more risk of bleeding so I’m tentatively on the side of trying vaginal again. If it goes well it could go really well and be an easier recovery but understandably as with yourself I know it can go really wrong too. It’s so tough and such a worry. My first went to the nicu too and it was both terrifying and heartbreaking as I was on the ward without my baby really unwell while everyone else had theirs. I totally get how you are feeling!!!!

@Yummymummy2020 Oh lovely, thank you so much for commenting! You sound like an angel 😊

I am sorry you have had tricky experiences and can relate, what a scare for you. When are you due? I'll have everything crossed for a smooth sailing delivery ❤️

My gut is a vaginal delivery, although I recon this baby is going to be big (like his brothers) so fearing the worst. Trying to have a positive outlook but it's not the easiest is it. Big hugs to you xx

I've had two similar levels of mild pph and one that was below average blood loss. Main difference was it was quicker and not induced.

My consultant was really on it with blood tests to identify risk factors so checking platelets especially, and I had some sort of injection to get the placenta out asap.

With my last baby I was really careful to stay fit and healthy during the pregnancy so found the recovery miles easier anyway. I also asked for every bit of help going (still not that much!) and it helped massively.

I know it's scary but there's no guarantee it has to go badly because it has before, or that it will have the same impact on your recovery.

I had a PPH with my first. I don’t remember much apart from being too weak to even pick up my postpartum tea and toast in the hospital

second one (induced) I don’t think I had any sever blood loss. I was cut with both births but had no other intervention as such. Baby was in shock when she was born though so they had to push the emergency button on the wall and whisk her away which was scary (she was completely fine luckily)

due to have my third in a few weeks and I have the same anxiety’s too so following this for advice!