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Original poster

Have been told no homebirth for Baby no 5

44 replies

jade1978 · 13/12/2008 22:01

Booked in with midwife just over a week ago, and mentioned I would like a homebirth for number 5 as had one for number 4 which was problem free. She seemed fine about it. However, when my scan date came through a few days later it said I had a consultant appointment which I thought was odd as have had 4 problem free pregnancies and births. Anyway after having scan I saw the consultant who said that because baby no 5 the birth will be high risk and a homebirth isn't an option. I really had my heart set on a homebirth in June, and know I can put my foot down and insist but because she used the words 'high risk' it has me worried even though I hate the thought of a hospital birth and being away from my other children. Just hoping someone really may have been through this/had homebirth for no 5.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NotanOtter · 13/12/2008 22:04

well i was booked for hb with number 5 no questions asked

how odd

VirginBoffinMum · 13/12/2008 22:05

My MW says this is crap - I asked her a similar question once. Anyway, Sheila Kitzinger had 5 babies this way, including one set of twins.

LilySwalLoosHerTurkeyBaster · 13/12/2008 22:08

my bf had her baby no5 as her first hb!

bronze · 13/12/2008 22:09

I would insist. Never had one and not likely to but I dont think theyve given you a legitimate reason.

StudentMadwife · 13/12/2008 22:10

what a load of sh*te. If everything continues normally in the pregnancy go for a homebirth.
what a load of old tosh! ignore

juuule · 14/12/2008 10:35

I think it might be that they are concerned about increased risk of pph with 5th and subsequent births.

I know that I was warned that there could be an increased risk of post-partum haemorrage from the 5th birth onwards.
However, I don't recall having a loss of more than 200ml (less on some) on any of my births including the 9th.
Seems some consultants still adhere to the idea of birth no5 and above being higher risk.

Have a look at
www.radmid.demon.co.uk/pphmulti.htm
Maybe research pph and grand multiparity to put your mind at ease on that count.

mrsdisorganised · 14/12/2008 10:42

My mum had her 5th on her own at home (not recommened) and her 7th at home(with a doc and mw) on both occasions she was given horror stories and on both occassions everything was perfect (obviously apart from the mw coming after dc5's very fast birth). They will scare you but if you want it and are prepared for the risks go for it! My mum has had 8 and no problems at all...

piscesmoon · 14/12/2008 11:09

If there is concern I would go with medical opinion-the health of you and your baby are far more important than sticking out for a home birth.

juuule · 14/12/2008 11:19

Must admit that my preference was to be in hospital 'just in case'.

Original poster

jade1978 · 14/12/2008 14:40

Thanks everyone, definately worth some research I think, will look at the link you sent juule. Its all very confusing, if I did go for homebirth I would be booked at Derby Hospital, and if I have hospital will be Nottingham so may have to look into if Derby see it as high risk or not going on my previous history.

OP posts:

LongStory · 14/12/2008 22:55

Jade it sounds as if they are being very risk averse and traditional. If you feel that you would give birth better at home then that amount of reassurance has also got to be a safety factor. I have had all 3 homebirths, calm, stitchless, straightforward (even though this included a first baby and an officially by-one-day premature baby) - and am sh*ing myself about going to hospital for a twin delivery.

dreamydowler · 16/12/2008 10:16

Hi there I had my 5th baby at home and had to pick up a prescription for the syntemetrin (Ithink thats what its called) and store it in the fridge for them to inject me with in the leg to help deliver the placenta and reduce the risk of pph. My 6th baby was also booked for home delivery but developed group B strep so had to have at hospital. Number 7 and number 8 (due in june) also had to be in hospital.
I am considered high risk as im 42, overweight have tendencies towards diabetes in pregnancy have had large babies in the past, have group b strep and am on my 8th pregnancy My midwife still would have considered homebirth however if it was just about the number of babies I had. Is this the only reason they consider you high risk or are there like me other factors?

sorkycake · 16/12/2008 15:37

very outdated way of thinking by your consultant,
unless the pregnancy would be considered high risk for another reason. grand multip is not enough.

misscutandstick · 23/12/2008 08:54

My first HB was DS5, and it went very well, little 'blips' along the way but nothing an experienced MW couldnt handle. Was it less painful? Honestly? i dont think it was. BUT it was lovely to be able to bond in our own home, and it was the 'best' labour ive had.

GypsyMoth · 23/12/2008 22:20

my 5thwasa hb.....my firsthb. wastold i couldbehigh risk asthere is higher risk of heavy bleeding. however,a hb is up to you,your choice, browse some hb websites and weigh up your options. my hb was absolutely perfect!!!

cazboldy · 30/12/2008 13:40

I have had 4 hb

My 5th was a hb

with both of my last 2 pg they did mention about pph - I think they have to, but no one ever actually said I shouldn't have a hb......

jb707 · 20/01/2009 16:16

have a look at homebirth.org.uk . There are plenty of women on there that have had their 5th at home. Read Angela Horns story.

catweazle · 20/01/2009 18:55

I was booked for HB for no 5. (Ended up with elective CS after last minute dx of breech presentation). When I asked my mw if being the 5th was high risk she looked surprised and said not at all. I was 43.

mumtoxii · 20/01/2009 19:05

I had my 12th at home this July with absolutely no problems. I think if you have had 4 perfectly easy births why on earth should the 5th be any different? I say go with your instincts, only you know your body.

Original poster

jade1978 · 25/01/2009 15:25

Just checked back on this thread I had pretty much decided I should just go to hospital for birth but after reading the posts really want a home birth! Don't know what to do. Had 21 week scan last week and all appeared well and I am in good health. May broach the subject with midwife again next week.

OP posts:

notmyfault · 25/01/2009 22:52

I had 4 hospital births,but went for the homebirth with number 5.Absolutely perfect home birth.
Number 6 went for same again.Ended up rushed to hospital.Cord round baby's neck.Baby stuck and in distress.Ended up an emergency.These things could easily have gone wrong in hospital,but probably seemed worse cos of having to be transferred to hospital in an ambulance
Number 7 will be born in hospital,I'm not allowed a home birth.I'm not arguing cos of what happened with number 6.I'd love to have him at home but I'm too scared,old and tired.This is my third in 2.5 years.
Despite that I'd still say go on the homebirth website above.There's such lovely stories of when it goes to plan.Be prepared with childcare whatever on standby in case it doesn't(we were so unprepared to go to hospital).Read up on birth and homebirth particularly.Sheila Kitzinger is excellent.
I hope you get the home birth you want

RiaParkinson · 25/01/2009 22:54

notnyfault!
are you new?

notmyfault · 25/01/2009 23:10

Yes,sorry,completely lost.

RiaParkinson · 25/01/2009 23:18

I LOVE your childrens names

notmyfault · 25/01/2009 23:25

Thanks.Am I supposed to post somewhere and say hi,or is it okay to just jump in.I felt a bit rude just butting in

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