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.:fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed:

Lisa

[kadownie]

Hi,

I'm not sure if I can help at all- but every pregnancy is different, so this time it may not be as 'risky' as your last.

I had my babies at the Mater- it is in South Brisbane. They have a private and public mothers hospital there- you get mixed reports about the Mater- my overall experience was good- though my post natal care was not much to talk about- it's an old hospital- so not cushie at all- (though they are building a new one which should be finished late next year)- but they have some of the best doctors there and everything is on hand if there's an emergency with mum or bub. I will be going back if I have other babies, Unless I decide to have a homebirth- where there is no interference unless needed and I'd be free to do my own thing


Feel free to PM me if you want any other details.

[~Emmylou~]

I'm sorry you had such a horrible time with you last birth, and so sorry you lost your son. :(

I'd also recommend the Mater - it has the best NICU facilities in the state, I had my DD there (public) and I was very happy with the care we received. Very reassuring to know that if anything went wrong we were where we needed to be.

It looks like there were a number of factors that made you high risk the first time - multiple birth, PE, HELLP, and prematurity. If you go public they are going to automatically classify you as high risk as soon as you're pregnant again because some of these things are possible to reoccur even in a single pregnancy if you've had them before. That's just the way they work.

I'm thinking you could book into the mater so you have the back up you need but go with a private midwife (you'd need to look into health insurers who will cover this asap, there are a few). If all goes well she can do the birth, if not you have the OB's at the Mater. With your history, if it were me I don't know that I'd be totally comfortable turning my back on medical involvement entirely, but that's a decision only you can make.

[WeThree]

First off, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby and everything that you have been through, I am all for vb, and a natural approach to labour, midwives instead of obs etc, in a normal pregnancy and labour, but (and this is just me) I would not be risking it if I had been through everything you had. I would be getting the best ob I could find, having round the clock care and checkups and getting booked in for a c section to get that precious bubs out as quick as possible, sometimes no matter how badly we want something, its just not worth the risk.
Please feel free to disregard this post, it is not in any way meant to offend, I hope everything works out for you this time and that you have a healthy, stress free pregnancy. :)

[juliek]

Hi Lisa,

I'm so sorry for for your loss :hugs: and I understand exactly what you went through and your concerns for your next pregnancy.
I developed PE and HELLP in my last pregnancy and spent four days in ICU and bubs spent 3 weeks in ICN. I can't sing the praises of the RBWH high enough, they managed to save both bub and me when one or both of us should of died. Dr Karen Lust is the head of obstetrics there and has told me she will personally oversee any subsiquent pregnancies I have. She said because of the HELLP syndrome you need to be monitored very closely and there are things you should do even before you ttc to limit your risk of reoccurence. I'm sure she would have no problem taking you on as a patient given your history. I have spoken with my friends brother who is the head of emergency medicine at the Mater and he told me he couldn't recommend any one better than Dr Lust and she would be his choice of specialist.
We will also be ttc at the start of next year, so I will be seeing Dr Lust soon to start planning. If you ever want to talk about your thoughts and fears, don't hesitate to pm me.

Julie. xx

[mich71]

im very sorry for your loss :kiss: first things first private health funds have to know nine moths ahead of ttc from what i remember. this is my 4th high risk pg so as rule of thumb you dont get to see midwives but i would sugest reseching hospital finding out about fetalmatrenal unit is like also find out about doctors.ive had all my children public and have been cared for wounderfully. a birthing unit will not be an option for you because of your history but if you talk to midwifes in clinics they can suggest the best doctor suited to your history also having the doctor attached to the hospital helps if you go private you can still see them. im quite lucky my ob is very good and very supportive of what i want so i plan to have him sign my birth plan which gives it extra weight in delivery.and the only other thing i can suggest is get if u do go public get in as soon as your pg ive spent last 4 pgs in clinic from 8wks peace of mind is the only answer good luck with ttc oh what a gouse i am if to only see that doc in public make sure referal is in there name not just high risk clinic

[whitsundaysmumma]

:crying: Hi Lisa, very upset to hear of your heartache, my heart aches for you. Just wanted to let you know that after losing our dd, we are going to be attending the "foetal medicine high risk unit" at the Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital every month in consultation with my local GP. We are about 1Hour away from Brisbane and will be delivering at the Royal, by C'Section, so I will not be having too much say about the birth, all we are hoping for is to deliver a healthy full term bub and have a baby to hold in my arms, not just the blanket she was wrapped in.:gloomy: If you go private and go into labour, most private hospitals will transfer you and baby to either the Mater or the Royal if you present prior to 32 weeks. That is what happend to me. I wish you and DH all the best of luck in your TTC journey.

[whitsundaysmumma]

Hi Lisa,

I'm so sorry for for your loss :hugs: and I understand exactly what you went through and your concerns for your next pregnancy.
I developed PE and HELLP in my last pregnancy and spent four days in ICU and bubs spent 3 weeks in ICN. I can't sing the praises of the RBWH high enough, they managed to save both bub and me when one or both of us should of died. Dr Karen Lust is the head of obstetrics there and has told me she will personally oversee any subsiquent pregnancies I have. She said because of the HELLP syndrome you need to be monitored very closely and there are things you should do even before you ttc to limit your risk of reoccurence. I'm sure she would have no problem taking you on as a patient given your history. I have spoken with my friends brother who is the head of emergency medicine at the Mater and he told me he couldn't recommend any one better than Dr Lust and she would be his choice of specialist.
We will also be ttc at the start of next year, so I will be seeing Dr Lust soon to start planning. If you ever want to talk about your thoughts and fears, don't hesitate to pm me.


Julie. xx



:wave: Julie, Hi, was wondering, do you know much about the High Risk Unit, pretty sure Number 4 is here and will be testing tomorrow, wouldn't mind a little bit of info when you have time, may answer some questions for Lisa too.
Like you I can't speak highly enough of RBWH, who saved my life and did everything in their power to save our darling daughter. I am sorry for the trauma that you experienced.:hugs:

[juliek]

Hi lissie,
I don't know much about the high risk clinic at RBWH as I haven't been through it yet. My first preg was through shared care with maternity outpatients.
My sister had her second bub through high risk because of severe PE and from what I remember, she had really regular appts.....once a fortnight from 12 weeks then once a week from 24 weeks. I think it all depends on what your high risk is.
Sorry I can't be more help.

Julie.

[whitsundaysmumma]

Hi lissie,
I don't know much about the high risk clinic at RBWH as I haven't been through it yet. My first preg was through shared care with maternity outpatients.
My sister had her second bub through high risk because of severe PE and from what I remember, she had really regular appts.....once a fortnight from 12 weeks then once a week from 24 weeks. I think it all depends on what your high risk is.
Sorry I can't be more help.

Julie.

:thumbsup: Thanks Julie.Much Appreciated

[perthmummie]

hello, wow ur son is an absoulute miracle!

It must have been a horrible time for you! looks like i had the same pregnancy as you! I too spent my whole pregnancy either in hospital or by the toilet bowl!
I was told my boys were monoamniotic and that there was only a very small chance my boys would survive, but once i made it past the 28 weeks mark I can not tell u how relieved I was and I can only begin to imagine what u went through carrying those tiny little helpless bubs inside :(

I was also induced due to pre-eclampsia, fortunatly the boys only spent 16 days in the SCN and could breath on their own, they just needed help feeding!
my oldest Jordan is still having some health issues but praying all will be well!

I think its fantastic that you and your hubby are thinking of conceiving again! I am so scared because of my pregnacy but its all still so fresh. Its women like you who make me feel like I could do it again!
thnks :)
Angela:hugs: