So I am on a public gov-funded homebirthing program, and over the last trimester my blood platelets have dropped. The hospital Ob who engages with the HB midwives and HB program would like my platelets to be over 100 in order for her to give me the green light for the homebirth.
However my platelets are now 105, having dropped from 109 and 118 at the last 2 blood tests. Everything else is within the perfectly normal range - blood pressure, blood sugar, baby's position perfect and all else.
I have research natural methods for increasing platelets - through diet etc, and most of the foods recommended I eat plenty of anyway - spinach, kale, alfalfa, garlic etc. I have been having spirulina smoothies and eating plenty of healthy foods.

The risk is that I am more inclined to bleed heavily, however I have already agreed to a managed 3rd stage (drug induced delivery of placenta), provided the cord blood has stopped pulsating, in order to diminish the chance of heavy bleeding. This has consoled the Ob and midwife somewhat, however my midwife is now pushing for a stretch and sweep in order to get things moving, so I can have my HB out the way before another blood test is required. I declined one today (I am 39 weeks), but she is keen to do one for me next Tues (39+4). My midwife is great, and I can tell that she desperately wants me to have my homebirth and avoid the hassle of going to hospital (3rd time lucky!), but at the same time, the main reason I opted for HB in the first place is to avoid uneccessary intervention - which I feel the S&S is. I am very big on letting mother nature do her thing!!

If I refuse the S&S, I face the difficult prospect of being declined for a HB (and subsequently water birth- gggrrr) if I do not go into labour spontaneously before my next blood test is required (if platelet count is lower still). Then of course, if I have the S & S, there is a chance that it will do nothing or very little anyway - depending on how ready my body is to birth. I am yet to reach 40 weeks gestation - with DS1 labour started spontaneously at 38 weeks, and again at 39+5 with DS2. So going on past history, there is a good chance things will happen naturally next week.

Just a bit upset about this situation, and feeling cornered to either intervene or face hospital. Preferably I would like to avoid both! Annoyed about blood platelets not cooperating too. Why do I feel like homebirth is so out of reach for me??? Grrrr. Thanks for listening to my vent. It's just a shame to get this far complication-free and to be dealing with this pressure now.