PLEASE help ladies!! (longish post - sorry!)

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Hello ladies. I have been reading up on this site and all the advice seems so practical and helpful so I'm hoping you can help!!

I am 31 weeks pg with number 3 and have some concerns re the birth. After DD #1 was born-(1998) assisted vaginal, I had a HUGE haematoma down below (externally) and was in great discomfort. Same after DD #2(2002). In 2006 I had surgery for an odd 'lump' in my outer labia (sorry ladies - too much detail!) Anyway, in recovery something went wrong inside and i ended up in a HORRIFIC state, i was bleeding internally and had to be taken straight back to theatre for another op to repair. They found the cause was an AVM (basically I was born with an arterial vein "down there") and it had ruptured post surgery! Also explains the previous haematomas post birth with DD's.

Anyhow......! I have been in an enourmous degree of pain recently with the AVM swelling again (no doubt the weight of babba!) and it has become impossible to make love or even hit the shops as I am on the verge of tears(!) I showed my MW who instantly suggested a c-section & referred me back to my Consultant. I saw someone different instead (hospital short staffed!)who firstly, did not know what I'd had (kept saying a cyst!!!!) and then said they will not perform a c section for this reason!!! I explained that I was in hospital spaced out on morphine etc for 10 days after the AVM & I will have a baby & 2 olders to care for -and she was insistant that it would be ok! I also ought to mention that my ORIGINAL consultant refused me a Home Birth PURELY based upon my history with the AVM! So, my question is.....can I insist on a c section for med reasons (I think I have good reason) and if its going to be 'ok' as she said, why have I been refused my homebirth???

Sorry to go on ladies, but I see my MW again tomorrow and I feel kinda frustrated at the dismissive and contradictory manner of the hospital and would love some practical advice! The prospect of the AVM terrifies me more than the CS! Many thanks - and Happy New Year!!

Thanks, am a lot better now. Glad things are feeling better now you've sorted things out. Does it feel funny to know the date?! I'm due at the end of Feb, so perhaps similar time to you? Seeing consultant this week when I think we'll end up booking section, don't think I'll get any opposition as I think they think a VBAC is a bit of a long shot for me anyway. Think I will feel more relaxed once decisions are on paper!

Hehe yeah it feels weird to me knowing the date...we even have a 2 hour time frame for the birth lol. But its also nice as we have everything organised! After 2 VB's, both overdue, its a change! I'm due 9th March, so a week or 2 behind you. Seems ages away now lol. You'll have to let me know how it goes with your consultant...and hopefully your mind will be at rest

Obviously it all rests upon baby staying in til the booked date, but mine tend to be fairly happy in there if DDs are anything to go by...failing that it'll be an EM-CS (fingers crossed for a later baby- still lots to do lol)

I meant to ask about the birth itself, if we can take pics of the birth, if DH can cut the cord, if I can have skin to skin...SOOOOO many questions!! I guess I'll get a list sorted for MW next week eh.....?!

Seen consultant but still undecided, have to have another scan and will see what we think then, most likely planned section but the question is when really. Hoping to have a more chilled cs than last time, try looking up natural caesarian if you're interested,

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7154594.stm

my consultant seems to think it's reasonable to go for some of that sort of thing. Midwife at my hosp told me you couldn't have skin to skin (I was really upset at that), but consultant says that's nonsense and as long as baby comes out healthy enough and I'm well enough it should be fine. No idea about cord though.

Always turning up with a big list to my appts!