Homebirth & severe labial varicose veins

[Rachk3315]

Hi I am new here! We are planning to possibly have a homebirth with our second daughter due end of feb. I had my first all natural intervention free at a hospital. They were wonderful and followed my birth plan exactly and I was thrilled to be able to have her naturally . When I found out I was pregnant with number 2 a homebirth seemed liked a good idea since I have experienced natural birth and appreciate the process of birth I thought being at home would be amazing! I am having trouble however being completely comfortable with this decision always wondering about the what ifs. My midwife is wonderful but she is a lay midwife and cannot carry pitocin or oxygen with her and that makes me nervous . I also have very severe labial varicose veins that also may be internal and I am worried that try could affect the delivery. Possible rupture? My midwife also doesn't suture so i would have to be transferred if it happened . My friend also lost her baby at 27 weeks so this is causing me some anxiety about birthing at home we well. I feel that if I am still having anxiety at 26 weeks is homebirth really for me?

[Voondrop]

Hi Rachk, I would suggest going to the hospital if that's where you're truly comfortable. My experience is just that; mine & I'm not sure where it fits into the statistics of birthing, but I have also had 3 intervention free births even w/out the pit/ oxy, 2 at hospital one at home. Home baby & last hospital baby were also w/ the labial varicosities & my lay midwife & hospital CNM weren't worried at all. I'm not sure if they can even judge if they are internal but 1 ruptured vein likely wouldn't be life threatening & it's something you would notice in time to get it treated at the ER. They'd have to cut you open to suture an internal rupture & of course that's not feasible to do at home. Painful as they are I believe the percentage of veins actually rupturing is rare. I'm pregnant w/ my 4th & I can only tell you that they don't get better w/ subsequent pregnancies but we are planning for another homebirth.
 

[Mom2acrew]

I also have vein issues and they are a pain in the butt!  ;)  They have never been a concern during labor or delivery although just walking around pregnant with them makes me wonder how I've made it through my last 3 births without popping one! jk  Don't be afraid to talk to you midwife about your fears and make the best decision possible for you.  There is no shame in having a hospital birth if that is where you will best be able to relax and focus on the job at hand.  I've had post bad experiences with doctors and hospitals- none birth related- so I am not comfortable there and that is why I choose home.

Happy pushing!

[cindys]

I sufferers in the sofa with ice packs with the same pain. I had 3 perfect midwife attended water homebirths. My licensed midwives had no concern at all and the vein was not an issue. I still have a slight discoloration where the thick wavy vein was located. Homebirth is absolutely the safest way to give birth for almost all women. Waterbirths is so gentle and soothing. Read waterbirths by Barbara Harper. I've attended many births at home as a doula and heard many healthy joyous homebirth stories over 16 years as a la leche league leader. Birth works!! Homebirth works the best even with a huge range of variations. Relax and don't let anything get in the way if birthing at home that is not a legitimate reason to risk out.