Can I consider a home birth...or to risky?

[BTS1022]

So this baby makes baby number 5 for me. Although I only have 3 living children. I will give a little bit of my background history as far as my labors/deliveries with the children I have.

Bailey- She was my first born, however she passed away 30 min after birth due to a cranial facial genetic disorder called Aperts Syndrome, which my doctors and I had no information on, and no idea that Bailey had this condition. I gave birth to her almost 3 months early, she weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces. I gave birth to Bailey Vaginally.

Michael- Michael is my second born, I gave birth to him vaginally a day before his due date, and obviously considered full term. I was diagnosed with the liver disorder that causes severe itching in the last trimester of pregnant women. This my doctors believe played a big role on the cause for my moderate bleeding/hemmoraging(sp). They needed a vaccum to assist in his delivery as the epidural blocked all my feeling down there. Michael was 8 pound 12 ounces at birth. He did not score well on his apgar tests as he was not breathing when delivered due to the umbilical cord being tightly wrapped around his neck and shoulders.

Aiden- My 3rd born, was born 2 weeks before his original due date but considered full term. He was also born vaginally. Aiden gave me a lot of issues, being breech for most of the last trimester and then finally turning head down during the final days of being pregnant. Aiden came out sunny side up, facing the sky...and with his neck and head completely bent back, so he was born face first...not head first. He also got stuck at the shoulders for about 5-10 minutes, but was able to be delivered with the help of a nurse jumping on my hips. Aiden was 8 pounds 6 ounces.

Conner- My 4th born, also vaginally. I had a very easy pregnancy, despite the typical pregnancy discomfort. I delivered him on his due date and he was 8 pounds 9 ounces. I had no complications with him at all.

I would really like to consider a home birth, but i'm not to sure with my delivery history if I will be allowed to do so. Any and all input is appreciated.

[Ashelen]

yep I'm with Melka I'm always the one that beats the odds...in a bad way. I've had at least 4 medical problems that are rather rare over the past 10 years so I'm all about conventional hospital births with as little intervention as possible...but I like to be in place and prepared in case I beat the odds again.

I suppose it's up to you if you feel comfortable enough go for it, but I do want to caution that I nearly did a home water birth with DD but I chickened out at the last minute..and it's a good thing I did. We only lived 7 minutes from the hospital, but NOT EXAGGERATING when I say that I would have bled to death before I got to the hospital if I had done my original plan. The doctor was sitting on my bed sewing as they wheeled me into the OR because the situation was THAT urgent. and there were ABSOLUTELY NO indicators that anything like that would happen..completely out of the blue. So that's something to consider.

but the rewards of a home birth are incredible, I won't lie. So I would say..take your time making the decision and consult your midwife about it, I'm sure she can tell you how she honestly feels about your risks.

[DoulaSummer]

I do not see a reason that would be a firm no on home birth.  I would start interviewing midwives now and get all their opinions on your history (previous c-sections don't rule out homebirth either!!).  I am so sorry about the birth of your first child, but genetic disorders typically do not rule out homebirth.  Are their ways to scan for the disorder prenatally with a ultrasound?

All midwives have to have emergency training and emergency equipment with them at homebirths.  They also must have a backup doctor at ALL times at a nearby hospital.  If it makes you more comfortable, you can continue visits with the midwife's back up doctor throughout your pregnancy.

[Melka76]

I am going to go with too risky.... but I am a worry wart and if there is a 1% chance of something going wrong - it alwasy goes wrong with me... Good Luck!!

[dee3146]

being of your past history having a home birth may be a lil risky, if you still feel as if you should go on with this procedure i will advise a docor there to help on the birth date

[30something13]

I am with you on my 5th and 3 living. My last was my little one that did not make it though as she died shortly after birth from being born at 23 weeks. I see no problem why you can not consider home birth! I was going to do that this time but our hospital which has not even a level one nursey is 35 min away and the nearest "real hospital is 3 hours away. So I am delivering at the one 3 hours away. Oh also casue they will let me do a VBAC there naturally with no interventions. You should get the books by Ina May Gaskin, guide to Childbirth and Spiritual Midwifery. I got the lamaze book and The Doula Book as well. NAtural and home is way safer then a hospital birth as long as there is a close hospital to get to in case of an emergency. Which only 1% of births end up being emergency with home births.


I ahve had all mine early but never had trouble delivering and the midwifes I talked to had no problem letting me deliver at home if I had gone that route. OH I shoudl say that the midwife in my area also was 3 hours away and I had no access to a doula so that was another reason I chose what I did. But sounds like you are prepared and been about through just everything so best of luck to you! How far along are you? I am 37 weeks tomorrow and for the first time out of 5 made it to full term, even though I am 3+cm and 100% effaced.