Major PPH with no.4, would this happen again?

[randomtinkerz]

I had first 3 DC in hosp, no particular problems.
Had a planned home birth with no.4, but had a PPH shortly after and had to go in ambulance to hosp, (midwives were still at the house etc).

I was told it was major, lost 1700mls blood (although I had a 40 min ambulance drive), and had to have a balloon procedure under GA to stop the bleeding, plus two bags of blood.

Once I was home, one midwife visiting baby said my DH should get a vasectomy as it would happen again. She said it would have been due to a 'tired womb'. Another midwife said it doesn't mean it would happen again.

I'm not particularly broody for another one, in the way that I have been in the past, but I often have a little niggle that it is the fear of that happening again that is stopping me.

What are your experiences?

I have no experience of this, but why would you even risk it when you have 4 children to consider?

I had something very similar happened to me with number 5 three months ago. My understanding is that the more pregnancies the higher the risk plus your age. Nothing should hold you back if you want another baby, you'll just be considered high risk and they'll be ready for it next time. You really will be high risk though. I hope you're ok emotionally? It's was scary for me and it's common to suffer some PTSD post birth. Take care.

I think if you became pregnant again it would be consultant led and although they can't stop you, they would advise against a home birth or midwife led unit so they could treat a potential PPH accordingly. I lost 1500ml with my DC and it wasn't nearly as traumatic as yours sounds because I was already in hospital with a consultant present (induced with forceps delivery) so it seemed pretty much par for the course and treatment was at hand. I think your midwife is wrong to say that you shouldn't have another DC because of the risk, just understand that you would have a more medical issues birth to be on the safe side.

*medicalised birth

Few things...

one midwife visiting baby said my DH should get a vasectomy as it would happen again. She said it would have been due to a 'tired womb'.

It's none of your midwife's business what your DH does with his body! I'd make a complaint about this.

What exactly is a 'tired womb'? Sounds judgey. If it's a real thing then should've been followed by an explanation.

I also had PPH and it was the most horrendous experience of my life. I hope you are OK and getting any help you may need if not.

I had a PPH with my first birth and then went on to have two more vaginal births with no problem. I believe mine was due to being induced and getting a tired uterus. The next two were spontaneous labours and fortunately problem-free.

And yes I was told an increased risk of it happening again. But they only view pregnancy in terms of low or high risk so I don't exactly know where I would sit

I'm not sure wonder it myself really.

With DD1 had PE with DD2 had 1800-2000ml haemorrhage and balloon packed and 2 bags.

I think if I had a 3rd I'd likely have diabetes or something as my pregnancies aren't great but could've just been unlucky (limb got stuck with DD2).

It is worrying. If I had 4 I'd probably not risk it - not sure if I will risk it for a third. If so it will be years later.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks everyone. As I said in OP I am not really wanting another baby, and dont really get broody at all when I see other babies.

riversleep, my children are more important, hence why I've not risked it so far and most likely won't. My youngest is 3.5 and are out of the baby stage now. I know there must be people who have gone on to have more children after PPH.

I was just wondering what other's experiences were.

I'm with riversleep. I absolutely love my children to bits; much more so than the idea of another baby.

It is more of a risk with more pregnancies, and yep, More likely to have another if have had one, but still not a massive risk and you aren't bound to have one. If you want another baby then ask to see obstetrics first and they should be better able to quantify your risk and discuss how that risk can be managed, then you decide.

I had a pph with first pregnancy and was told (during second pregnancy) as it had happened once there was a greater chance of it happening again according to consultant and midwife. With my second birth I had a PPH again, according to notes the loss second time was greater, although I managed to not need a transfusion second time (first time I needed 3 bags - consultant thinks there may have been an error in my notes the first time and loss was greater).

I had a PPH during an e c section on my third I lost 3.5 ltrs of blood and had 6 bags of blood, nothing or no one could ever convince me to had another baby.

I really thought I was going to die and never see my kids again.
Could you get someone to go through your notes and explain what/ why it happened and then weigh up the risks.

I had a PPH with DC1, she tore my cervix on the way out and I lost over 1000ml of blood.

I went on to have 3 more natural deliveries within the following 6 years. No more PPH's. But for each labour they did say to be in hospital, not to be in water as blood loss hard to quantify in bath or shower, I had blood cross matched in early stages of labour and blood on standby and I had to have a cannula in my hand from early stages of labour.

I think what she meant by 'tired uterus' is that the uterus was slow to contract back after delivery. I believe that the risk of this occuring increases with each pregnancy, but that would be something to ask a midwife/obstetrician.

I would recommend you consider delivering in hospital on the labour ward with any further pregnancies. That way if you do have a major pph then they can administer drugs to help contract your uterus and rush you to theatre asap if needed.

I lost 1000ml, 1700ml pph after first 2 emcs and then nearly died and ended up with a hysterectomy after a 7000ml+ loss during my elcs with dc3. I like mrsbclinton thought I would not wake up from the GA.

I wanted a vbac2c with dc3 and would have attempted it if not diagnosed with placenta praevia. I am all for natural birthing experiences and minimal intervention, but ultimately in the end I am just glad to be alive and that my children were delivered safely. Consider all the risks carefully when making your decision.