Options for High Risk Pregnancy

[Sylas' mum]

Hello,

I have a question for any mothers who may have experienced a high risk pregnancy, and the birthing options that have been subsequently made available to them. I unfortunately experienced the horrendous birthing of my twin sons in 2002. It was my first pregnancy and went a little like this......twin pregnancy confirmed at 6 weeks, severe morning sickness until delivery, numerous admissions to hospital for hyperemesis, diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia at 24 weeks, emergency c-section delivery at 25 weeks, diagnosis of HELLP syndrome......death of one son at 19 days due to infection related to extreme prematurity, and survival of amazing now 4 year old son.

A bit of history but sets the scene for my question of help. My boys were born at RWH Melbourne, and my family has since relocated to Brisbane. Call is stupid or courageous, but after 4 years, my husband and I are wishing to try for another baby. I have no idea of where to turn with regards to pre-natal, ante-natal, and birthing options. I know what I WANT. I want the "normal" pregnancy. I want to be left to my own to grow and nuture this unborn baby. I want a totally spiritual birth. I want a wholelistic approach to this pregnancy.....BUT, I also want to be closely monitored and supported. I want to be close to NICU facilities in the event of complications. Being new to Brisbane I have no idea of excellent OB's, maternity hospitals, midwives clinics that I would be accepted to attend.....the list goes on. I currently do not have private health insurance, but as we are not planning on being pregant with the next 6 months, I have time to arrange private heath insurance.

So anyone out there.......previous experiences and suggestions would be greatly welcomed.

Hope to hear from some of you.

Lisa

[the_queen]

You sound like a strong and courageous woman. Get yourself a Doula, and have a really honest talk with her about what you went through last time. Remember each pregnancy is different, this time might be nothing like last time.

Good luck mate, I hope you get the pregnancy and birthing experience you want :thumbsup:

[mich71]

hi i would sugest getting a dolua to but also my last 4p/s have been high risk so i cant be in midwifes clinic ive gone public for all my kids and gotten the best care i would sugest that you talk to your gp about your chocies with hopspitals and when u pick your hospital call antinatal clinic and talk to them tell them your history and they will put u with a ob speaclising in that field also seeing that ob only is the only way to go other wise u see there resadents my ob does evrything from u/s blood test the works he just wont be the person to deliver your baby but to get around that your ob can then sign a birth plan and in them doing that they cant do to much with out calling your ob so it would only be in emergancey that it would happen i hope this helped its all i can sugest

[Angel]

My goodness Lisa, what an experience. Huge <hugs> for you.

Firstly I want to say that none of those pg conditions are likely to happen to you again. Your next pg will be different, I promise.

If you want to experience a whollistic pg and birth then your only option is a midwife. If you become high risk then you will no doubt encounter obstetrics so you might like to consider your options there 'in case'. Midwives are highly qualified even in the areas of risk assessment. It is their job and duty to refer you to medical practitioners when a woman's condition falls out of their 'scope of practise'. It is ONLY midwives however who are trained and qualified to support you in the emotional and psychological aspects of pg. THIS is why I think a midwife is your best option. I have a midwife friend who is a long way away from me now, and I have heard her say that sometimes it is the high risk women who MOST need a midwife. It is often those ladies who have so much of their pg taken out of their hands that it becomes procedure upon procedure with no care for a lady's state of mind, breastfeeding support, PND assessment etc. Obstetrics deals with complicated pg and birth only, not 'with woman' support ("With woman" is the definition of midwife). Only a midwife will give you at least an hour for every appointment, usually a couple of hours when you 'book in'. Only a midwife really gets to know YOU and what YOU want.

In your shoes I would engage a midwife before conception so that you are being suppored whollistically even prior to that crucial time. There are many midwives who will provide antenatal and postnatal care and attend you in hospital as birth support (they are not allowed to operate as midwives once they enter the hospital as the hospital will not insure this). At your booking in appointment a full medical history will be taken by your m/w and by the hospital of your choice IF you choose to go that way. Rest assured that at this stage you are NOT high risk. If you do become moderate or high risk and do therefore require some care from medical staff then I think it would be wise to still have shared care with your chosen midwife to support all other aspects of your pg.

Even if an ERCS becomes necessary only a m/w will provide you with weeks of postnatal care in your own home.

In summary, I think birth support will be quite important to you, and I think a midwife providing that service is more appropriate because their care is whollistic rather than medical. They are invaluable antenatally and post natally. Furthermore, you might well find that you do not need medical care and that you achieve a 100% healthy pg. Even if you fall somewhere between low risk and high risk a midwife can still provide you with care that nobody else is qualified to provide so sharing care would be advantageous to you.

If you need any names I am happy to help. And no, I'm not a m/w or doula, but I have engaged their services before.