[Bimboo]

Hi all,

I guess I should introduce myself. I have a 18 month old daughter and am pregnant with twins. I had an attempted homebirth with DD but after a fairly quick first stage (10 hours) and then 7 hours of pushing I had to transfer to the hospital. I ended up with thrid degree tearing and a severely twisted pelvis and was in agony for months afterwards. DD was whisked away to the critical care unit (she had a tiny cough) and wasn't allowed to be touched for 4 hours till after I returned from surgery. The midwife then woke her at 3am and triggered a 36 hour cluster feed that culminated in her screaming every time the boob was taken out of her mouth. We drove home with a totally hysterical baby who just screamed for the 20 minute trip and I was in too much pain to be able to turn and comfort her, Not that it would have helped at all, she was to distressed.

So after 96 hours with only 3 hours sleep (not counting the 2 hours under GA during surgery and recovery) I was a total emotional wreak. It took months to get physically better and emotionally it has been a rollercoaster due to no support for either DH or myself. Anyway to cut a long story a bit shorter (probably not) I fell pregnant in Jan and had a miscarriage. I then fell pregnant in May and started to bleed heavily at 9 weeks on a friday night so there was no hope of a scan till monday. I passed a placenta and then the bleeding slowed right down (it was strange, the pain started at this point, I have been told it was my cervix closing). I had a scan on monday and discovered that I was still pregnant with twins. This was such a shock that it took us two months to adjust to the fact.

Well at that point my Dr said (at 9 weeks remember) that I would be having a CS because it was twins. I changed Dr's and at 13 weeks went to the ob to be told that it was most likely that I would end up with a CS! If I went "naturally" I would end up with an epi at 3 cms. At this point I decided that I needed a homebirth. I told my doula (she was at my first birth) and she gave me the names of a few midwives. I have been unable to find a midwife that I have confidence in or that I feel will click with my husband and I. I have however found another doula who I am going to interview soon (she's quite a long way away) and hopefully she fits well.

Anyway I am content with my decision. I was freaking at one point, but I guess that it's just another baby not rocket science and I am happy to be able to do this in my own home and not suffer the anxiety of screaming babies etc. So here's praying for a good birth in approx 18 weeks time.