Does ovarian cyst mean I can't have a home birth?

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Hi,

Sorry in advance for the long post. I'm not sure if anyone else has had anything similar but I've got a simple ovarian cyst about 7cmx6cmx5cm. I'm in my 36th week and have asked for a homebirth but while my original midwife was supportive the head midife at the hospital is trying to talk me out of it saying that there might be a problem due to the cyst. She said it might cause an obstruction to the birth, rupture or twist .

I'm really nervous around hospitals and I've not had any other problems which is why I wanted a home birth but I don't know if the midwife is just looking for an excuse to put me off home birth or if she has a genuine point.

Has anyone else had experiance of giving birth with an ovarian cyst and what happened?

I did think it wasn't a big deal as this is the first time anyone has suggested it might be and I've had it since week 11. Now I'm really worried I'm in for a horrible first labour .

When was the cyst last scanned? How many times has it been scanned? Has the size changed between scans?

Its not something I've come across in detail, although from what I do know that doesn't sound like a particularly large cyst to have. Did the HOM give any references to back up her position on risk? You might want to go back to her in writing - its amazing how differently people can reply when its on record - and ask for more quantitative details on how the cyst increases the risks she mentioned and what research she is basing those statistics upon.

If you haven't come across it, the homebirthUK mailgroup is very supportive and it may well be worth posting your question there. Amongst their members they have some very experienced MWs who may well be able to give you some more information.

And lastly, AIMS might be able to give you some advice - possibly in how much of a risk factor a cyst is, and definitly in how to keep control of your birth.

Good luck and try not to worry too much until you KNOW that there's a genuine risk to worry about!

Hey there, catchy name!

I don't know about your specific situation, but have you had a look at www.homebirth.org.uk/? It covers a lot of the reasons that might be given for you NOT having a homebirth and provides arguments to the contrary. Might be a good starting point?

I hesitate to post as I don't want to scare you but I had an ovarian cyst burst a few days before I gave birth and went on to develop peritonitis and had to have a laparotomy the day after my son was born. He was born with an infection and I spent a week in intensive care.
All the obgyn told me that it was very rare and not something that they had ever come across before. I also know of people who have given birth with an ovarian cyst which has caused no problems or difficulties and I am sure that this is the more common occurrence.