Being refused homebirth after a pph..

[MamaJo]

Hi,

I'm currently trying to get the midwives to approve me for a homebirth after I had a PPH with DS. They estimated that I lost 700ml (200ml above what they expect) so this time I was told I'm not eligible for a homebirth. I'm not happy with this as I really dont want to be in hospital after my experience with some of the midwives last time. Also, it was water birth last time so the estimation may not be very accurate (they've told me it is possible that I only lost 500mls), I didnt need a blood transfusion or have to see a consultant afterwards (I was just given iron tablets) and I also believe I was anaemic before birthing which i've been told can increase blood loss.

I dont think I'm being unreasonable wanting a homebirth. If iron tablets was their cure in hospital then they can give me them at home surely? Plus, I've been taking iron supplements this time round throughout the pregnancy and have been told my iron levels are very good. My son was perfectly healthy after the birth so its not a risk to my baby's health and I honestly think I'd recover alot more quickly at home without the stress of everything that being in hospital brought.

I've been told that I can refuse to go to hospital and the midwives are obliged to assist me at home but I'd really like to not have to refuse, tho that may be my only option.

Has anyone else had any experience of having to "fight" for a homebirth after a PPH? What was the outcome? Has anyone else refused a hospital birth and had it effect their homebirthing plans?

I'm worried that this is going to cause my birthing plans to be completely last minute and things to be hectic when i really want it to be a more relaxed / stress-free experience..

 

[cariadchild]

I had a PPH with my first homebirth in June 07. When I got pregnant 3 months later my midwives were still very keen and pro homebirth although they did say we could try letting the placenta come out with no injection. I went on to have my 2nd homebirth in June 08 with no problems. My midwives were amazing. When I booked in for my 3rd they said so birth will be at home???
Just because you had a PPH with your first does not mean it will deffo happen again.

 

[bigmomma74]

I am also having this problem. This is baby no 6 and I had a PPH after baby no 4, so I followed advice and had baby no 5 in hospital with no problems. I told mw I want a hb this time and she has said I need to see consultant but she doesn't think he will approve it. They are ignoring my 4 problem free deliveries and just focusing on this one off problem

I am going to stick to my guns though - I will have my homebirth!!

 

[booflebump]

Blood loss of 700ml isn't a huge amount - and if you were in the pool, they can't even reliably assess if you did actually have a PPH or not.

It's your decision where you birth - if you want a home birth then you can have one, regardless of what they advise. If you face more problems - ask to be speak to the head of midwifery and state your intentions in writing.

xxx

 

[MamaJo]

Thanks for your replies, I've already been to see a consultant about a month ago and been told he'll reassess me at 34weeks. He said it wasnt a definate no but he didnt make it seem like it would ever be a yes either! If he says no I can just see myself getting all emotional and not being able to fight my case so having it in writing is a good idea. How long would it take for me to see the head of midwifery? I'm a lil worried that after 34weeks wont leave me much time.. Tho unless I have a sudden change of heart then I'm definately going to insist on a hb, I dont want the experience ruined by being somewhere I dont want to be.

 

[booflebump]

Remember you don't have to see the consultant if you don't want too - you can just decline the appointment, state your intentions and not have to deal with his negativity I had a response from my head of midwifery within a few days, but each trust will be different

xxx

 

[MamaJo]

Oh right, never thought of just not going... Well I guess I have a few weeks to think about what to do, I would really prefer them to just say yes and if I dont go then they're not getting the opportunity to approve me ..but it does really p*ss me off when they're so negative and going on about "risks" making me feel like I'm in the wrong.. I'll have a think! Thanks for your advice xx

 

[superbecks]

You can always help yourself too by eating iron rich foods etc now to build up your hb level....if you have a good iron level to start with then if it were to happen again at a modest amount then you wouldnt be as affected by it.