Hospital Birth/Health Issues...help?

[attached2ethan]

OK, so I am 18 weeks pregnant and have been planning a natural birth- birthing center, possibly at home- was still working on my husband for that one. With my first baby I was lucky enough to have a natural birth (unmedicated) in a hospital with a phenomenal midwife (CNM), but that was in another state. We had our 2nd baby at a birthing center and it was perfect, beautiful, etc...and I knew then I'd never do it any other way!

Brief synopsis- I have some health issues going on- contracted Lyme disease about 8 years ago which was mis-diagnosed as a heart condition for years before we found out what it actually was. I have been undergoing 100% natural treatments (herbs, acupuncture, diet, etc…) to keep myself healthy since I found out, and thus have never received the standard long-term antibiotic treatments that are recommended because I felt so strongly against them, and have been nursing or pregnant for the last 7 years straight. The downside to this is that I still have residual symptoms from the chronic Lyme infection- chronic fatigue, some issues with vertigo/dizziness, and I am on medication to keep my heart rate stable. I also found out last spring that I have some nodules on my thyroid, and at this point we’re taking the “watch and wait” approach. This was a non-issue with my other pregnancies and I actually felt totally normal while pregnant- thus had uncomplicated births and healthy babies.

However, this time I have had a VERY symptomatic pregnancy, but we just found out we’re having a girl (after two boys) so I am sure I can attribute some of the symptoms to that- others are an obvious exacerbation of my original health issues- mainly tons of dizziness, feeling like I’m going to faint, extreme fatigue but can’t sleep, nausea which was so severe I ended up on meds- had lots of dehydration, etc…and some worsening of heart rate issues and palpitations. Been on the couch most of the pregnancy.

SO anyways, yesterday I had a consult with the Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist (this was part of our plan of action for the birthing center) and the doctor, while being a total jerk, insisted that I would absolutely NOT be able to deliver at the birthing center and sent that recommendation to my midwife, and after talking with all parties involved, it was decided collectively that we would need to go the hospital route. I had seen this same doctor with my last pregnancy and was cleared for the birthing center delivery- and the issues are relatively the same, it’s just that my symptoms are worse this time and I have the thyroid issues on top of it. I was not prepared for this, so here I am thinking about what I can do to make this all work out!

At first I thought I could be ok with it- I figured I would hire a doula, make a birth plan, advocate for myself, and hope for the best…but the more I think about it, the more petrified I am of all the possibilities. The hospitals around here are a far cry from what I experienced when I delivered my first son at a baby friendly hospital that supported my needs- respectfully- I realize that probably won’t be the case here. Does anyone have any ideas/thoughts/recommendations? Am I playing with fire if I push the out-of-hospital experience? Has anyone had a decent hospital birth, and how did you make that happen?

I just want to be in a place where I feel safe, my baby can be birthed the way it’s supposed to be, and where I have quick access to medical care should something go wrong with my blood pressure/heart rate. BUT my heart breaks just thinking about the possibility of a more traumatic birth with my daughter, whom I've been waiting for for a LONG time =)

[Bubblette]

I think you have to weigh all of your options very carefully. Sorry I can't be more specific about the in vs. out of hospital.

What I can say is in your position I would reconsider the 30 day doxy lyme treatment. I've seen a lot of lyme and it's a really hard disease. I just spent a week working with an awesome acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine man and we talked about lyme at length. He said he went to a seminar with one of the leading naturopath/herbalist in the states who at the end of his lecture on lyme was asked what he would do if he caught it- the answer was take the doxy for 30 days. The treatment may make you feel so much better. Just my 2 cents....

Good luck Mama.

[MegBoz]

YES! Yes, absolutely you can have a wonderful hospital birth! It takes some work & planning, but there is so much you can do to help it happen. Off the top of my head, hiring the doula would be #1, but other things like:
1. Agree IN ADVANCE with the doc on things like only intermittent EFM & no IV fluids (they might not cave on at least having the hep-lock/saline-lock port.) Have him write that on a perscription pad, so you'll have that there & there will be less debate for the nurses to call the doc.
2. Ask for a nurse experienced in natural birth. Don't be afraid to ask for another if you don't click.
3. Bring things to make it feel as homey as possible (music, pillows, etc.)

Personally, I did have a great, natural, hospital birth, but I accidentally did all my laboring at home! (Went much faster than I expected.) So I only pushed out DS in the hospital. But there are plenty of great stories on the birth stories forum- even ones with induction & other needed interventions that are still wonderful experiences for the mama.
Good luck!

[Mawood]

It must be hard after having two natural birth in your choice of environment but I have heard lots of good hospital birth stories. We hired a great doula who will labor with us at home as long as possible and we are planning on arriving at the hospital late. I don't know if that would make sense in your case though but I do think that since you had two natural births you know what it is like to give birth and you know how you cope so you, your husband or your doula as your support can be sure and firm about declining all the interventions you don't want to have. You already know what it is like e.g. when you are in transition and you can have your support team deal with the medical staff. I think for a first timer it is much harder at a hospital 'cause you don't know what's "normal" or where it will go from there and you might agree to interventions that you wouldn't if you would know better. Of course every birth is new again but you already know that you don't need the medical side. You just need to have them in your back if your current health condition gets in the way!

And yes, I agree you can bring lots of stuff to have it more personal in the delivery room and let your doula work on the atmosphere with aroma oil, lighting etc.

All the best, Maren