Hello! I'm also currently contemplating homebirth
I'm not a grand multip (YET!), but this is number 4 so I am getting closer. My baby is also measuring on the small side (was at the 6th percentile at 30 weeks, 7th percentile at 32 weeks, and I'm waiting for the results from my 34 week scan). Your baby would be in the 8th percentile BTW given the estimated fetal weight you were given. Technically speaking, anything below the 10th percentile is considered abnormal though it is very possible for baby to simply be constitutionally small (but totally normal) as opposed to having an underlying pathology causing the poor growth.
Anyways, I am also at an increased risk for a delayed postpartum hemorrhage. I have Von Willebrand's Disease (a bleeding disorder) which elevates that risk. The hormones of pregnancy cause my blood to 'normalize', however once the placenta is born my VWF levels will start to decrease which subsequently elevates my risk of hemorrhage (yay me....). I didn't actually discover I had a bleeding disorder until after my last birth, so previously it wasn't a consideration and I did have a lovely birth at home. I've never hemorrhaged postpartum, though my bleeding does tend to hover on the heavier side of normal. Well, it's definitely on the heavier side than normal.
My midwives are fairly support thus far, though I will have to sign a release stating I'm aware of the risks. Quite frankly the bleeding risk is the least of my concerns (still a concern, but it's playing a fairly minimal role in my decision for a homebirth). Because of my specific circumstances my risk of hemorrhaging will essentially be the same as the general population at the time of delivery, but will be elevated by 24 hours postpartum and will continue to elevate with each passing day for the first 2-4 weeks. So essentially, if I were to go to the hospital to give birth, my risk of having a bleed wouldn't actually be elevated until it was time for me to leave. And since I'm certainly not going to stay at the hospital for weeks, why bother going at all?! It has been decided however, that if I do decide to go through with the homebirth that I will get a saline lock (IV started) just in case to be on the cautious side.
It's actually baby's size that has me the most apprehensive about going through with the homebirth. I don't tend to make small babies, my others have been over 8 and 9 lbs, which makes me suspect that there might actually be a pathological reason for this baby's inadequate size. Thus far, all of the ultrasound findings have been normal, and baby's growth has been consistent, but there is a niggling worry in the back of my head. I still have a few weeks to go, so essentially I am playing it by ear. If baby continues to grow consistently and does not start dropping or stops growing altogether and if the doppler readings continue to be normal, etc I will probably go through with the homebirth. But if there is even the slightest indication that baby is compromised in any way, off to the hospital I go. IUGR babies aren't really something to fool around with.
