what are your thoughts on when HB is safe?

[JenChaffee]

I am planning HB w/ a CPM who said that she was fine with a twin HB as early as 34 weeks. Happily, I am now almost at 36 weeks. With the reading and research I have done, I had somehow come up with being comfortable with 36 weeks, though would prefer 37.

I had an appt w/ my parallel care CNM at the hospital today. I am so impressed that she is supportive of HB. But, she says that she would not be comfortable with HB until 38 weeks. (As of today I am 1.5 cm dilated and 80% effaced, and therefore bedrest is recommended.)

Just curious, but when would you be comfortable with HB, for either twins or singletons?

[LiLStar]

I'm comfy after 36 weeks. I think having 38 weeks be the early "cut off" is pretty restrictive. If labor is spontaneous at 37 weeks, chances are the baby is ready to be born.

[MsBlack]

If the babies are well grown and all is well, then I too would probably be comfortable with 37 wks. Not so sure bedrest is such a great idea....why was this suggested? Is this your first pregnancy? If not, even with twins, I don't think your dilation/effacement is so remarkable. Even if it is your first, I have a hard time seeing the issue, really. I would probably lean toward making sure that you are very well nourished, hydrated and as well rested as you can be, rather than bedrest.

[emnic77]

I too find it odd that she's recommending bedrest for 1.5cm dilated and 80% effaced. I walked around 3cm dilated and 80% effaced for four weeks before either of my kids were born (over a week overdue, incidentally).

I think it depends on the overall picture of health of the mom and babies. I think setting an arbitrary week number at that point in the game (37 to 38 weeks, for instance) doesn't make a lot of sense unless there are factors or concerns to go along with it. Just like some moms and babies are perfectly fine at 42 weeks, some are not. I don't think it's the number of weeks that matter so much, but that the midwife should take other factors into consideration.

[Youngfrankenstein]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

If the babies are well grown and all is well, then I too would probably be comfortable with 37 wks. Not so sure bedrest is such a great idea....why was this suggested? Is this your first pregnancy? If not, even with twins, I don't think your dilation/effacement is so remarkable. Even if it is your first, I have a hard time seeing the issue, really. I would probably lean toward making sure that you are very well nourished, hydrated and as well rested as you can be, rather than bedrest.

This is what I was thinking. If the CPM is comfortable, I'd be comfortable too. Every day that goes by is another chance for the babies to bake adequetly. The CPM isn't going to chance the health or well-being of you or your babies!

[nummies]

That is odd that she is recommending bedrest at this stage. Anyhoo, I am comfortable with homebirthing these babies after 37 weeks. Although, if I go into labor at 36 weeks 6 days, I will still probably stay at home. They have measured a week ahead on ultrasound since the very beginning and I am healthy, etc. But I admit, that when I hit 37 weeks, I will be throwing a party!!

[rachel65655]

My midwife is comfortable with 36 wks and so am I. She even said that she is not going to make any qualms about 24 to 48 hours sooner than 36 wks but if it was 5 or 6 days sooner, she would want me to be at the hospital. Right now the babies are both around 5 lbs. I personally would prefer to make it to 37 but am so huge at this point that I am ready. Neither baby is engaged anyway so I am not too worried about going into labor any time soon.

So...I am counting down the next 5 days....after that it's go time if I go into labor.

[JenChaffee]

CPM's assistant came by the house this morning. She was very reassuring. She thinks that at this point, everything has gone well enough that I should do whatever I feel like doing. If they come now at 36 weeks, then all is well. If they want to wait until 38, then that is fine, too. She emphasized staying hydrated and getting plenty of protein.

CNM wants to run some tests and monitor for pre-e tomorrow. I will do that, then if all looks okay, I will take advantage of the short term disability claim she is submitting to my work, and enjoy my remaining days at home sleeping when I feel so inclined and tracking down the few remaining supplies that I would like to have.

[onyxravnos]

i would be totally fine with a birth (single or otherwise) at 37 weeks. at that point the only real worry is the lugs which at 37 weeks the chances of underdeveloped lungs is pretty small. with twins... maybe even 35 or (better) 36 weeks as twins just come earlier. Would have to watch them a little closer of course because of the nature of twin births but thats easy enough.

38 weeks seems a little weird essp for a twin birth.