Homebirth after high bp during first labour - Help please

[naturalmumma]

Hello everyone

I am planning my second homebirth, though the first was 'unsuccessful'.

Basicly towards the end of my first pregnancy my bp crept up a little, which I wasn't told at the time.

My homebirth continued as planned.

The day I went into labour my waters broke in the morning and a midwife came out about an hour later, checked my cervix and was already 2cms and she performed a sweep (to help things along I had very light contractions for 6 hours and then they suddenly kicked in.

I will admit it shocked me! after feeling so easy and good about it all. The pain was quite harsh and quite close together.

I became very hot and I was checked again and was 3 cms, they checked my bp and by then I had been at home for around 7 1/2 hours.

My bp was high and I was told I had to transfer to hospital, I was completely gutted but as a 'young mum' I didn't know any better and just did as they said.

I was moniterd and strapped down most of the time and then put on the syntocin drip to 'speed' it all up.


It was horrific, I felt so out of control and teary, I hated every moment.

I felt a failure as I 'failed to progress' on my own and had to have help. By then I took anything I could drugs wise but felt no better for it.

In the end afetr 17 hours of labour I had an episiotomy and ventouse delivery.

Again one of the most horrible things I have experienced, but was glad my baby girl was out and safe. My bp continued to stay high for abotu 2 weeks after the birth, I was totaly traumitised.

At the time I felt greatful to have gone in due to my 'failed progression' but when I look back now I can see how a lot of it could of been prevented and I could of been helped more at home.

My current midwife is supportive of homebirths and she knows what happened before but didn't seem to think it would be a problem.

I am feeling so anxious (which doesn't help) that my bp will creep up again and I will be told to go in

I so want to have a hoembirth, but this time with water.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation and go on to have a sucessful homebirth?

Does anyone have any ideas to help keep my bp down and any suggestions of alternative therapies or natural remedies?

I am all for the natural alternative as in herbal but read so much conflicting advice I don't know what to think.

I do know that being in water will help but if anyone else can give any suggestions, I would be very greatful.

Thank you

NaturalMumma

[dogmom327]

I had high BP the last few weeks of my pregnancy so I have some experience with it but I didn't have to transfer. First and foremost, you need to tell you MW this story and depending on their answer, I'd decide whether or not to hire them. You want someone who is willing to act proactively not just react to it being high while in labor. You want someone who has successfully completed HB's with women who had high BP by managing the situation.

There are things you can do too. First and foremost eat lots of protein...aim for at least 100 grams a day. This can be hard but I'd be happy to share some tricks if you need them There are also herbs you can use. My MW has me drinking a cup of tea each day make with Hawthorne Berry, Linden Berry and Dandelion root. There are other supplements you can take too to support liver function, etc. if it gets to that point.

Don't give up hope. With some proactive behavior and some guidance from a skilled MW, it is totally possible to have your HB!

[naturalmumma]

Ooo thank you so much for your reply dogmom

Well im in England, and the midwifery care is run by the NHS (so guidelines to follow

I have another appointment with her today so will discuss my concerns with her and see what she suggests aswell.

Where I live she said there are a high number of homebirths, as where I lived before there wasn't.

She has attended over 150 last year, which is quite good for England.

And when she aske dme what happened at my last birth she didn't seem phased, but yes I need to feel confident that she isn't just going to send me in at the slight increase of my bp like the others did.

Yes I would love to hear soem tricks on the extra protein!

Ooo the herbs sound interesting, though I have found it hard to stomace herbal teas sinse becoming pregnant.

When did you start the teas? and what other types of herbal supplements do you know about?

I will update when I have seen her this afternoon (around 1.45 british time)

Thank you again!!


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