After some feedback about unassisted home births

[Haydies]

Hi Girls,

Bit of a stiory behind this one, but basically - I had a horrible experience with a hospital birth for my first child and it's left a permanent impression. I've never been particularly huge on doctors anyway, and when it comes to birth I really don't like them.

We've moved to a new location which meant a new hospital - no birth centers near here and apparently the only place to give birth is at a hospital if you ask my Dr. I was fine with this as they are midwife run and after a chat to them, are more likely to follow my wishes. They are a 'base level' hospital in that they only deal with standard/normal pregnancies and easy births. No problem here, that's me...

That was until, my Dr went ahead without my concent and tested my sugar levels which I knew would be high due to various completely unrelated issues. And of course tested me right after breakfast full of sugar (crunchy nut cornflakes and Big M), so of course I came back high...

Now the hospital is refusing to take me (I'm not 'normal' according to them) and the next alternative says they'll take me, but they will remove bubs from me for two days to observe him in the Nursery. NOT happening!

So, after a long discussion with my partner, we have decided to just stay home and call an ambulance once bubs it out to get the cord and that sorted. At worst we'll play the "oops, he came too fast" line...

Now, I'm 99.9% fine with this, but as a mother, it's natural for that niggling little voice to keep chiming in with "what if...."

So, I'm here to ask what are the "what if's" I need to be worried about?

[nickle730]

Maternal haemorrhage
Cord prolapse
Obstructed labour
Shoulder dystocia
Foetal distress during labour
Cord tightly around bub's neck (unable to slip it over bub's head)
Flat baby requiring resuscitation....

The list goes on! Please, understand that if something does go wrong and you call an ambulance you are relying on paramedics who don't often deal with childbirth. When they do, it is usually very fast unexpected deliveries, as opposed to a long labour with complications. Basically, if it all turns to poo, you will be calling on people who are most likely inexperienced in dealing with your specific problem!

I personally think it is a very irresponsible birth plan to birth unassisted at home and call an ambulance if things 'go wrong' or to cut the cord if you are lucky enough to deliver a healthy baby without complications. If you wish to birth at home, have you considered a homebirth with an experienced midwife in attendance? Perhaps you could speak to a MW and discuss whether this would be an option for you with the high sugar results you had.

The first thing I would do is go back to the GP (or even better, a new one!) and demand a glucose challenge to determine whether there is actually a problem or not (gestational diabetes). I don't know how long after breakfast your doctor did the last blood sugar or what your result was, but you should not be walking around with high sugars and if your sugars are high this is indicative of GD. If you DO have GD, you are at greater risk of maternal and foetal complications... even more reason not to birth at home unassisted.

I'm sorry if I sound harsh, but I believe you need to fully understand the risks to yourself and to your precious baby (and the mental health of the paramedics!) should you decide to follow your proposed course of action. Good luck, Haydies.

[BellyBelly]

Hon can you talk to a midwife? I can recommend some beautiful ones... they have payment plans. Either way you decide, you know I am here for you again. Email me gorgeous xx

[Haydies]

Kel hun, I can't even afford the Dr's appointments let alone a widwife.

@nickle730 - The Dr tested my blood sugar without my concent and without my knowledge on a morning I'd had 2 bowls of crunchy nut cornflakes (35g sugar a bowl) and a glass or so of Iced Coffee Big M. My blood was taken less than an hour after that. Even the lady who took the blood commented when she took a second lot last week that there is no way I would have passed the test and it was wrong of the Dr to do it without my approval.

I don't have GD or high sugar, but yes, I have requested a 'proper' test now that I'm forced to...

My first birth was complication free - 4 hours and she nearly came on the loo. The only complication was the a-hole Dr who needed something surgically removed from his rear end.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Wow you must have had a bad experience if your thinking about going it alone at home, i hope this time round is a lot better BUT i def agree with the others, i would not be completely alone there are way to many risks involved for yourself and your baby.

From experience it is a very scary situation to be in, i had DD1 at home alone on the bathroom floor, my partner was on his way home from work and she was out 20min after my waters broke.. FEET FIRST.
I was on the phone to 000 and my mum and although the 000 guy was amazing and possibly saved both my and my daughters lives it's nothing compared to having professionals on standby if something does go wrong.
Also calling 000 WHEN things go wrong wont always help, my ambulance took over 20min to get to me, DD was already out and breathing by then... if as an example the cord is around your babies neck and you can't loosen it you may not have time to play with???? I'm not trying to scare you i'm just saying that when your in that situation it's very stressful and i'm sure no matter how much you plan things don't always go the way you want.

GL with it all, i hope no matter what you decide you do what you feel is best for yourself and your baby and you have a wonderful uncomplicated birth!

[Cassius2]

oh sweet xx that is some pretty shocking 'care' from your GP. I would just demand a proper GD test and go from there and see where you stand. until then, in all honesty I dont really see how the situation has really changed. the test was not done accurately and therefore cannot be conclusive. mmmm now i want crunchy nut cornflakes...mmmmm.

as for the freebirth: well it's totally not my cup of tea. for me birth is about support and having faith in the people around you to help and protect both you and bubs. is there anyway that you can fight to stay in the hospital system until say the later part of your pregnancy and organise with an IM to take over for the last couple of months? I know that a few friends in my circle have organised this to help manage the costs....just a thought.

[BellyBelly]

Closing as per request.