Introduction and UP question

[Gretaoh]

Hi all!

First, just some background-- I will be 18 weeks into my 2nd pregnancy on Friday. I have planned, all along with this pregnancy, to have a home birth, but I anticipated that I would have a midwife present. I have essential hypertension, however, which makes that difficult. I'm in MN, and law states a midwife must refer patients with high blood pressure to an OB. I currently monitor my blood pressure at home, and its generally around 140/100-- a bit higher than when I'm not pregnant. ANYWAY, I was put through a lot of scare tactics about my blood pressure during my first pregnancy (had standard OB care, treated as a high risk patient, but with no actual symptoms of Pre-E). Even though I was basically told I would not be able to have an intervention-free birth, I had my beautiful daughter at home, mostly unassisted. You see, we waited too long before deciding to go to the hospital and ended up calling 911. My husband still did all the catching, with the paramedic standing by. The paramedic didn't even clamp the chord, he just handed the clamps to my husband. So, I'd say our first birth was pretty much UC to begin with!

Now, I'm all about doing UC this time around, if my blood pressure stays under control, but I can't really decide about prenatal care. We no longer have health insurance, so I definitely can't afford the high risk OB care I'm sure would be forced on me if I go to even a free clinic for care.

ACTUAL QUESTION! Has anyone else been considered high risk and done their own prenatal care and UC?

Finally, I'd like to get some sort of heart beat monitor-- does it make sense to get a fetoscope, or is this impractical for listening on one's own?

THANKS!

[AutumnW]

I haven't btdt with the high risk self care but I would think that if you keep an close eye on your bp and other symptoms at home you could catch any problems.

I have a fetoscope that I use to listen myself, but I have heard that they are hard to use in labor even by someone other than yourself.

[chirp]

not quite sure if VBAC is considered high risk.

but I am am planning ubac, and have thus far (37 weeks?) had an unassisted pregnancy.

i check my blood pressure from time to time.
count fetal movements.
eat healthfully.
aaaand that's about it.

my anxiety regarding doctors and midwives is TOO MUCH to be healthy while pregnant. Having to report on what I ate, weight gain, piss tests, blood pressure checks. It all makes me so nervous. Not knowing if the person really wants the best for me, or has a party to go to. Not knowing if the person will admit to not knowing what's going on, or what the best recourse of action is...that all TERRIFIES me.

i need to be unassisted to be healthy. it's either that or be a walking ball of nerves. i just don't trust doctors or midwives. or really anyone that desires to maintain a "professional" relationship in the face of something so completely personal (birth). i know professionalism has its time and place in some settings. but not in the care of me or my unborn child. not unless it's a true emergency. in which case I won't care which "professional" is handling me, as long as the problem is resolved quickly and successfully.

so UP/UC it is for us. any dr. i would encounter if we transferred would be no different (for me) than a dr. who I had been seeing all along. 9 months just isn't long enough for me to form a bond with someone if i am convinced that their only interest in me is a profe$$ional one.

so, like i said. i'm not sure if i'm completely considered high risk...but i think if you are careful in listening to your body's cues, and take some precautions that you KNOW you have to take, then everything should work out in the end. get a blood pressure cuff and learn how to use it...or get an automatic one (we have one).

listen to you body. learn about and keep aware of warning signs. don't be afraid to birth your child into your own hands, and also don't be afraid to go to the hospital if necessary. by doing UP/UC you are solely responsible...so you have to be prepared to make whatever call might be necessary.

we don't have a fetoscope...just to answer that part of your question. if i weren't so close to delivering we might get one, they're not that expensive...but...we just didn't, for whatever reason. if anything, it can't hurt to have one...although obviously i didn't find it completely necessary.

[softeemommapads]

kudos to you

If you are monitoring your blood pressure and doing activities to help lower it then I wouldnt worry about it. I would think that going to an OB would cause it to be higher. Especially since I found out recently you should check your blood pressure 30 minutes after eating or drinking and resting. So I do mine at night after I have laid in bed for a while and mine is usually 100/60 which some consider low but a nurse told me its perfectly normal. Try taking yours this way Also I was "Diagnosed" with gestational diabetes with #2 however my numbers were never high except during the damn one hour test and the three hour. So im technically considered "high risk". You have to understand that OBs look for bad stuff. They are doctors...They dont like having completely healthy problems so they have to have something to "fix" Just make sure to monitor it about once a week or however much you feel comfortable. Try some yoga or meditating and see how that helps As long as you feel comfortable and safe, chances are you are safe oh and Im doing UP and planned UC this time around and possibly JUST possibly expecting twins...we'll see

[xixstar]

Congrats on your pregnancy, sounds like you're really on top of things. I just wanted to suggest that you might ask around for additional mw contacts because you might find one that is comfortable providing care in your situation, despite regulations.

I just mention this because I don't think anyone should have to pick UC if that isn't their first choice, if you'd prefer a mw attended birth, you might want to still check around because some mws are more willing than others to work with mothers with different situations. Nothing against UC at all, I totally support it, I just feel that women should have the care situation that they truly desire.

[chirp]

Originally Posted by xixstar

Congrats on your pregnancy, sounds like you're really on top of things. I just wanted to suggest that you might ask around for additional mw contacts because you might find one that is comfortable providing care in your situation, despite regulations.

I just mention this because I don't think anyone should have to pick UC if that isn't their first choice, if you'd prefer a mw attended birth, you might want to still check around because some mws are more willing than others to work with mothers with different situations. Nothing against UC at all, I totally support it, I just feel that women should have the care situation that they truly desire.

true that!!