Low platelets (138) - been told home birth is a no-go below 150 - ADVICE PLEASE!

[KikiA]

Hi all,

Bit upset as I don't really like hospitals and been really hoping for a home birth, but platelets have steadily been in decline since the start of my pregnancy... I was under the impression that it was only a no-go for home birth below 100, but the midwife on duty today said 150 was the cut off... I'm 35 weeks and now very anxious. Can anyone offer any advice? Worth mentioning that (ironically) I have a thrombophilia (higher risk of blood clotting), so I feel like actually the low platelets probably balance out with the thrombophilia and so risk of bleeding would be minimal... please advise if you can.

Thanks x

... anyone? 😔

Ask for an appointment with a consultant and get a second opinion.
In our trust, we would support home birth with platelets over 100.
Remember you can birth where you want and we have a duty to send a midwife to you regardless.
(Cons obstetrician)

it must be so stressful for you. It's probably better to ask for a consultant review, so that they can fully assess your clotting and the risk of bleeding. With more information, they can give you a much better idea of all the relative risks.

But if they do fall further, it would be risky to deliver away from somewhere where you could get platelet/blood transfusion.

X post with Nan0

Thanks - I'll be under consultant led care now anyway, and have seen one before who seemed to think over 100 was fine, so I was just really annoyed that the midwife text (yes, TEXT) me to say "it's 150, sorry - I know you won't want to hear that..." - no call to explain what that was based on or anything, which I just felt was pretty mean given that this is my first baby!

Just wanted to see what other people's experience/knowledge of these circumstances was. But I'll check with the consultant...

Thanks for your replies x