Home birth oppositions

[lozzy21]

Good on you Angela, so you can refuse the GTT? I've been told I 'have' to have it despite not even meeting any of the risk factors for GD nor have I ever had it in the past.

Blah, I'm pretty sure my mum had high bp when pregnant with my sister whom she had the homebirth with and this was in the 80s when even at 35 she was considered too old for a homebirth lol. She said one mw refused to turn up but the other local one was fine and she handled things.

You can refuse anything you dont want.

 

[mamato2more]

Well i guess I'm pretty early on in pregnancy to be thinking about birthing options, but as I'm planning to begin schooling to become a homebirth midwife next year, and have been reading a ton, I was already set on the idea having a homebirth long before I was pregnant.

The problem for me is, homebirths are technically illegal where I live.

Just got an appointment with as far as I know the only Dr in my area open to the idea of homebirth. He'll probably be my OBGYN backup and get me connected to the midwives who can make a homebirth possible (albeit illegal). Lots of stuff has to happen for it to work out so keep your finger's crossed

What state are you in? Just curious...

 

[TattiesMum]

Im going to have problems due to a high BMI. Apart from this im fit and healthy and do more exercise than my skinner friends who drive.

I mentioned it to my midwife at my booking appointment who said they dident get much call for them but seemed to be surportive. She just said i need to speek to my OH and if he was on board we would discuss it at a later apointment.

I had to go see the consultant for a routeen apointment because of my BMI (biggest waste of 30 mins of my life). I was told that i would only need to come back if my GTT results came back with problems. I dident like her from the start. She was patronising and spoke to me like i was some 15 year old who had got pregnant at a nightclub. She mentioned about having baby in hospital so i told her i would be having baby at home.

She told me they wouldent allow me to have a home birth.

So i told her that she wasent alowed to stop me.

She quickly backtracked saying she had picked the wrong choice of words, started waffaling on about the risks but dident say what they were. When she realised that she was not going to win she said ill need to discuss it with my midwife.

Two days later i had a letter for another apointment with the consultant before my GTT appointment.

So i can see me having to fight with the consultant to get my homebirth.

Nothing to do with the consultant ... I never even saw one for either of my home birth pregnancies .... consultants are hospital based and home births should be purely in the realm of GPs and community midwives - the hospital shouldn't be involved at all

Also a high BMI is a rubbish reason for not allowing a home birth - they are just casting around for sill reasons to put you off Hon

I'd advise writing directly to the head of Midwifery services in your area, stating clearly that you are intending to deliver your baby at home, as is your statutory right and, to that end, would she please arrange for midwifery cover for both your ante natal care and the birth.

They do try to baffle and bamboozle you into submission - stand firm

 

[angelae36]

Nothing to do with the consultant ... I never even saw one for either of my home birth pregnancies .... consultants are hospital based and home births should be purely in the realm of GPs and community midwives - the hospital shouldn't be involved at all

You can still have consultant led care and a home birth - just another person to argue with!!!
I wish I had refused consultant care now but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Good on you Angela, so you can refuse the GTT? I've been told I 'have' to have it despite not even meeting any of the risk factors for GD nor have I ever had it in the past.

Yes you can refuse the same as you can refuse any other test.
No-one can force a test against your will.
I always said that while ever my urine was clear and I had no other symptoms of diabetes, I wouldn't have it.

can BP shoot up cos of nerves and anxiety? I ask this cos my BP was sky high when I wasgetting my wisdom teeth out (i needed to be sedated so they checked my bp beforehand).

Yes - definately.
I believe my BP was up and down due to anxiety/stress/white coat syndrome but not one medical person believed me.
They were adamant it was Pregnancy Induced Hypertension or Pre-Eclampsia.

In fact they they kept trying to tell me I would definately get Pre-Eclampsia. So much so everytime they checked on me I told them no to swelling, headaches and visual disturbances before they asked!

I was supposed to stay on labetalol after the birth and see my GP but guess what.....(although I don't recommend that course of action for other people, my choice!)

Blah, I'm pretty sure my mum had high bp when pregnant with my sister whom she had the homebirth with and this was in the 80s when even at 35 she was considered too old for a homebirth lol. She said one mw refused to turn up but the other local one was fine and she handled things.

I should add to this I was 37 so "old" too. Goodness looking back I did make my pregnancy difficult just by sticking to my guns!!!

 

[lozzy21]

Im classed as having shared care which i think most people with a high bmi have

 

[angelae36]

Yes they are.
IMO it's just so they can tick that box. Unless there are real problems I really don't see why people with high BMI HAVE to be consultant led or shared.
Waste of everyones time and money!!

Also in sunny Doncaster we have a midwife that specialises in "larger women" and I was forever being "strongly" asked to see her. She could give advice on what I should be eating - which I knew - advice on exercise - which I knew.
Also, they ran aqua aerobics especially for us "larger women" so we didn't feel so self conscious and I should go to that. Not my cup of tea!!
I'm sure she could be of use to others but not me!!!

 

[lozzy21]

I got offerd a dietician, Im fat because i dont exercise not because i have take away for tea every night

 

[lushious09]

I dont have the option of a home birth due to GBS i will have to have an IV of antibiotics during labour if it is present at 37 weeks... so if its not bad enough i cant have a free choice on my birthing method il also be hooked up to a blooming IV machine during it... Im not overly bothered though as long as bubz is ok

 

[goddess25]

Good on you Angela, so you can refuse the GTT? I've been told I 'have' to have it despite not even meeting any of the risk factors for GD nor have I ever had it in the past.

Blah, I'm pretty sure my mum had high bp when pregnant with my sister whom she had the homebirth with and this was in the 80s when even at 35 she was considered too old for a homebirth lol. She said one mw refused to turn up but the other local one was fine and she handled things.

You can refuse anything you dont want.

You dont have to have the risk factors for GD for it to occur, over here everyone is tested for it regardless of risk factors or not. If it happens and you dont know you can have potential effects that will be long lasting for you. I used to work with diabetic patients and i have seen it first hand. I think its smart to get tested, after all its one blood test and we want to do everything to protect ourselves for our childs futures.

 

[angelae36]

You dont have to have the risk factors for GD for it to occur, over here everyone is tested for it regardless of risk factors or not. If it happens and you dont know you can have potential effects that will be long lasting for you. I used to work with diabetic patients and i have seen it first hand. I think its smart to get tested, after all its one blood test and we want to do everything to protect ourselves for our childs futures.

In the UK you have to have a extremely sugary drink and hang around for hours, it's only if that comes back positive that I expect blood is taken.

You are quite right in pointing out the damage it can do but what I was trying to say is if you don't want a test then no-one can make you have it.

18 and 13 years ago when I had my first 2 children, no GTT was offered unless something showed up in urine.
I decided if it was good enough then it's still good enough for me now.
There is no history of diabetes in my family, I knew the warning signs, I didn't see the point in wasting everyones time and the NHS' money on something I didn't feel necessary. Just my own choice!

But I totally understand if another lady want to be tested. Good luck to her!

 

[summer rain]

Hi

over here they only give you the GTT if you meet certain risk factors, have had it in a previous pregnancy, had a baby over 10lb, none of which apply to me, yet I've not heard of women or their babies having problems due to undiagnosed diabetes. GD and diabetes in general is considerably rarer than in Canada the rate is only 2% amongst White women in the UK. I've never had any sugar in my urine or remotely high readings on random blood sugar tests either. I've never been asked to have the GTT before but my booking midwife pencilled me in for all different kinds of risk factors I don't come anywhere near. I'm dreading seeing the people she refers me to as I have experience of this with my eldest being classed as high risk for something and then I got shouted at by the consultant for wasting his time.

 

[lozzy21]

Midwife appointment on tuesday. We shall have to see what she says

 

[MadamRose]

Hi i have only just seen this thread, and i think it may be useful to me. My pregnancy has been basically risk free. Got extra monitoring at start due to MMC at 11 weeks (baby died at 7 in last pregnancy). Well i always wanted a homebirth and after a lot of talking i got my OH to agree. We mentioned this to MW and she said due to spotting at 24 weeks she wouldn't advice it. The bleed was due to me needing anti-d, when i was given this midwives at hospital were not at all worried. I have also had another MW tell me she wouldnt have a problem with me having a homebirth if i had no more problems.
The one who is agaisnt it is my main midwife. What happens if when i mention this she is still against it?
My BP has always been really good, baby's HB always really good. Measuring perfect for my weeks etc.

 

[lozzy21]

Hi i have only just seen this thread, and i think it may be useful to me. My pregnancy has been basically risk free. Got extra monitoring at start due to MMC at 11 weeks (baby died at 7 in last pregnancy). Well i always wanted a homebirth and after a lot of talking i got my OH to agree. We mentioned this to MW and she said due to spotting at 24 weeks she wouldn't advice it. The bleed was due to me needing anti-d, when i was given this midwives at hospital were not at all worried. I have also had another MW tell me she wouldnt have a problem with me having a homebirth if i had no more problems.
The one who is agaisnt it is my main midwife. What happens if when i mention this she is still against it?
My BP has always been really good, baby's HB always really good. Measuring perfect for my weeks etc.

You tell her thanks for her concern but you have looked at all the risks and still want a homebirth and expect to be supported in your choice. If she still kicks up a fuss ask for the contact details for her boss and write to her telling her of your decision, how you expect to be surported in it and look forward to hearing from her.

 

[MadamRose]

thanks hun i will do this at my 28 week appointment. The aprehension of it makes the 28 week appointment seem so far away

 

[lozzy21]

Looks like my midwife is on bord with my homebirth

 

[trumpetbum]

That's fab news Lozzy

 

[summer rain]

Blah, I'm pretty sure my mum had high bp when pregnant with my sister whom she had the homebirth with and this was in the 80s when even at 35 she was considered too old for a homebirth lol. She said one mw refused to turn up but the other local one was fine and she handled things.

I should add to this I was 37 so "old" too. Goodness looking back I did make my pregnancy difficult just by sticking to my guns!!!

Sorry not good at this quotes lark; I don't think 37 is generally considered old these days for a homebirth is it? Its just this was back in the mid-80s, many medical professionals considered my mum too old to be a mum generally and when she got pregnant again at 38 they acted like she may as well be 50! She wanted a homebirth with my youngest sister as well but they kicked up such a stink she decided against it.

Soph x

 

[amym]

Hiya - am anticipating a fight too! I have a bmi of 46 and want a water birth...I've decided that (assuming no GD or pre-ecl.) that if they say I can't have a water birth in hospital I will tell them I am having a home birth instead then. Effectively their choice - hospital water birth or home birth - which is more convenient for them??

And I intend to hire a pool as I know there is only 1 at the hospital and I won't risk them saying someone else is using it etc.....

 

[lozzy21]

Im the same Amy. They try to make things harder for you just because you have a high bmi with out seeing how you can manage