Previous high risk pregnancy

[Fuzzyhippo]

I'm very early in with my 3rd pregnancy (~4 weeks), but as I've previously had a high risk pregnancy due to IUGR, I'm guessing this one will automatically be high risk also? Previous baby was estimated to be 5lbs at 36 weeks so they wanted to emergency induce me, as they said he was measuring under what they wanted. He was born 6lbs, discharged me straight away with no health problems. This time I'm going to be giving birth alone, and since I didn't get the birthing centre experience I so desperately wanted last time, I'm really hoping I might have a chance to with this one. But reading up on it, once you've had an induction, you're automatically classed as high risk. Does anyone know if this is true? Obviously I'll ask the midwife, but just don't want to give up hopes (of course with the mindset that birth plans rarely go to plan). Or if anyone has previously had a baby with IUGR and gone on to have a low risk pregnancy, I'd love to hear your experiences!

Hi, having had an induction would not make you high risk. Having a previous IUGR baby would be flagged on your chart and likely recommended to have additional growth scans later in the pregnancy to check on this baby. This is what happens in the unit I work in (as a midwife) so perhaps is the same where you are. Every baby is different and there is every possibility that this one will be different. Wishing you a smooth journey.

DD1 was suspected IUGR and I was not treated as high risk for DD2. She was 2.6kg at 38w in the end. I had an extra scan at 28w (everyone in our trust gets a 36w scan as standard). I did go on to develop preeclampsia in my second pregnancy and obviously BP issues can be linked to growth restriction so whether the two were connected, im unsure.

I couldn't use the birth centre anyway as DD1 had GBS sepsis so it was agreed I would need iv antibiotics and continuous monitoring, but as far as im aware, I could have used the birth centre if it wasnt for those issues.

I had DD2 very unexpectedly in the labour ward (she had been breech until 39+1, csection had been booked, unexpectedly turned the day before my waters broke) but in the end she had her own plans and came in less than 1hr with just gas and air. So even if you are on labour ward, its still possible to have a great, low intervention birth. Good luck!

I'm high risk but am able to use the midwife led unit. In my hospital it's only one floor below the maternity ward so it's easy to transfer if needed. As my reasons for high risk only impact pregnancy and post birth not the birth itself they have treated the birth as low risk. It's worth a conversation with your midwife and obstetrician for specifics concerning your medical history and how this pregnancy progresses.