Lupus and midwives?

[ErynneM]

Do the two mix? I've had Systemic Lupus for 12 years now, and my first baby was 100% "typical" birth - induced at 38wk with pitocin, waters broken after 2h of pitocin, went to almost the maximum dosage before I started having appreciable cntxn and dilation/effacement, and had to have an epidural at abt 5cm, and needed an episiotomy to finish the experience.

I want to avoid... like... all of that that second time around (which won't be for 3-4yrs, but I like to do my research). As of right now, I am considered 'in remission' with Lupus, which means I have all the pain I have always had, but no new symptoms are popping up. My blood tests are all fairly stable, and I'm not on any medications. As long as this continues for the next few years, I would feel comfortable choosing a much, MUCH more natural route with baby#2.

I've been considering going with a midwife, but from all the research I've done into Lupus pregnancies, very few people would recommend anything but a hospital birth.

So has anyone had any experience with either yourself or a family member/friend who had SLE and chose to go with a midwife in a birthing center or perhaps even at home?

- E

[Engineering_Mama]

Hopefully one of the birth professionals on here would respond. In case they don't, I don't know anyone with Lupus that's given birth but I would definitely suggest you talk to a midwife. A friend of mine has epilepsy and everything she was told was that she HAD to have a hospital birth. A year after her son was born in the hospital I asked my homebirth midwife about it (just curious) and she said as long as the epilepsy was under control no problem. So what you'll hear from "medical professionals" and what a midwife may say could be very, very different. Again I don't know if it would be the same for Lupus and hopefully someone here will come along with better information.

[ASusan]

Not sure my experience is totally relevant. I had a lupus dx for about 2-3 years. Treated it with plaquenil, got side effects (and continuing symptoms which were not recognized by Western med). Went to weekly acupuncture, reduced the plaquenil and the lupus symptoms (side effects of tinnitus remained). The blood draws that were done 4 mos prior to conception showed NO evidence of lupus. (Blood indicators was how it was diagnosed, as I didn't have all of the traditional symptoms and several symptoms that were not recognized or understood by my rhumatologists.)

I was still on a bit of plaquenil (took a pill once a week - not sure how much the pill was, but I think a typical dose is 2 pills a day) when I got pregnant, and I tapered off that in the first trimester.

I did a typical but unmedicated OB-hospital birth. I would have LOVED to try for a homebirth, but DH loves western medicine, and I was also slightly concerned about the lupus situation. My only complication was a tear and significant blood loss. I had to be stitched up and it took me a couple of days before I was not dizzy when standing on my own. I think the significant tearing could have been prevented or lessened with midwife putting counter pressure, help with listening to my body tell me when to push, rather than the "PUSH!" yelled at me in the delivery room.

That said, DH will not be on board for a homebirth in the future, as he saw the bloodloss and watched for the 20+ minutes it took to stitch me up. He sees that as evidence that a hospital birth is necessary.

Nothing in my birth experience seemed to be related to lupus. However, my lupus was mild to non-existant when I entered the pregnancy. If it were just me birthing alone, I would go for a midwife/homebirth the second time around.

Best wishes to you.

[ErynneM]

Thank you for the replies. I definitely appreciate any information I can gather on the topic.

I've thought of contacting a few local midwives to ask questions, but wouldn't it be odd to be contacted by someone four years before they plan on having their next baby?

- E

[angelpie545]

I have Lupus (diagnosed during this pregnancy) and was risked out of midwife care due to increased symptoms and low platelet count. Honestly I do feel more comfortable with an OB since I could possibly have a lot of bleeding, but I do think that for minor Lupus some midwives would work with you. Just be upfront with them, and speak frankly. You may find someone who could work with you.

[xixstar]

Originally Posted by ErynneM

I've thought of contacting a few local midwives to ask questions, but wouldn't it be odd to be contacted by someone four years before they plan on having their next baby?

- E

nope, not at all. I like having information upfront and plan ahead, I don't know of any midwife that would mind that phone call.

[MidwifeErika]

Originally Posted by ErynneM

I've thought of contacting a few local midwives to ask questions, but wouldn't it be odd to be contacted by someone four years before they plan on having their next baby?

- E

Not odd at all. Lots of women will give phone calls with questions like that as they start to plan out their future.

[Night_Nurse]

I have Lupus. I also had my last child at home w/ a midwife. No problems whatsoever!

[rachel65655]

I have SLE and just had my twins at home 4 weeks ago today. They are my 6th and 7th children. I have had lupus since I got pregnant with #2 almost 11 years ago. I have never had a miscarriage and have carried all my children to term.

The biggest concern I would have is if you carry the antibody that causes preterm labor and miscarriage. I would not discount seeing a midwife but know that if you did have preterm labor, etc...your perfect plans for a home birth might have to change should you go too early. You might have to look around to find a midwife that is comfortable with seeing you also. There are increased risks especially if you are on steroids but since you are not on any medications and if you don't have any serious organ involvement, it should be a non-issue IMO.

FWIW - I do not carry the antibody that causes perterm labor - I was tested for it when pregnant with #3.

[ErynneM]

Thank you so much for the replies!! I will sit down and talk to my husband and we will start researching midwives in Oklahoma and see how it goes. I really appreciate all the feedback and information!

- E

[rachel65655]

Depending on where you are in OK, my midwife that I used lives just across the MO border. Let me know if you want her name and #.

[ErynneM]

Aww, that's nice, Rachel! But I'm central Oklahoma, in Oklahoma City. MO is a 4hr drive for me, and that's more car-time than I want while pregnant! :P

- E

[jeminijad]

My mother and maternal aunts both have lupus. She did not yet have a DX for the first two births, but there were no related problems with either birth (one hospital, once BC.)

The third pregnancy & birth was in the midst of a "flare up" as she calls them. It was in hospital, but not a birth factory hospital. It was a very difficult birth- totally unmedicated, but came very close to csection, and her hip was dislocated- but again, OB did not suggest that it was lupus related, just gaining 100 lbs, never exercising and having a 10lb baby.

Hopefully you can have your midwife birth.

[wannathird]

I have lupus and two hombirths

I have lupus and I had two home births you can pm me if you want to talk more about it.

Lisa