problems w/homebirth after other hospital births?

[maybebaby]

Hi guys! I'm Cheryl, here with Gage (5) and Maddie (3) while hubby does some last minute xmas shopping ;-)

I'm wondering what effect the previous interventions I had will have on my homebirth (if/when we do have another - I'm an overplanner lol!)

With my first, I had the triple crown of "managed labor", the internal monitoring, epidural and episiotomy. With the next I had a "natural" hospital birth (kind of an oxymoron, because I still had the monitoring and episiotomy). Oh, and both were induced -- one due to slight high blood pressure and the second because of slight GD. Now that we're thinking about #3, I know I want a homebirth. My questions are -

1. Will I tear more easily because of the old epis scars? Is it like anything that's been torn - it will tear again more easily??

2. Can I assume since my first two were pretty speedy labors that this might be also, even w/o an induction...or does the induction itself effect the speed of labor?? I know the contrax were right on top of each other w/the inductions, so I'm kind of hoping for a more leisurely labor next time, if that's even possible :-)

3. and finally, does anyone know how likely GD and hypertension are likely to repeat? I was lax in my eating and exercising with both, but now I work out fairly regularly and eat much more whole grains, no meats, organic, etc.. so I'm hoping those things will help this pg be more healthy. *But* I'm still carrying around some extra weight...will that do me in? (I'm working on it, but I'm probably 50 lbs overweight, at least, and I;m not sure how much I'll have lost when we want to try...)

Thanks in advance for any insight...and sorry for any typos, nak!!

Cheryl

[karenpl]

1. Will I tear more easily because of the old epis scars? Is it like anything that's been torn - it will tear again more easily??

I have heard that that could be the case. OTOH, my personal experience is that it wasn't the case. I had a big epi and tear with my first one. Small epi with my second. Skid mark with my third. Nothing with fourth, fifth and sixth. Guess I got all stretched out and no tears needed to get a baby out LOL

2. Can I assume since my first two were pretty speedy labors that this might be also, even w/o an induction

That is hard to predict. Even without the induction troubling the waters, labors can just be so different, even for the same mom. I would just keep an open mind, realize that there is a good chance that you will have a speedy labor, but not be disappointed if you don't. And it might be nice to be able to slowly get into your labor, and let it develop over a longer time, than have the speedy, extremely intense kind of labor.

3. and finally, does anyone know how likely GD and hypertension are likely to repeat?

It sounds like you will start out this pregnancy much healthier, so I think you have a good chance not to have to deal with either GD or hypertension. I have to admit that I don't know how the being overweight affects things, but my gut feeling says that if you are eating healthy and regularly work out, that you will be fine this pregnancy.

Good luck on getting pregnant when you are ready for it!

[motherdownunder]

My main concern would be the idea that once you've had an induced labour then your body won't know how to go into labour naturally. I don't know how common that is or if there is any scientific basis, all I know is that ALL of my friends that were induced with the first one had to be induced with the second. Of course you can use acupuncure, homeopathy, etc to naturally induce labour and I imagine the baby will want to come eventually anyway.

[lilyka]

I don't know about the first 2 questions but for the last, high blood pressure or toximia are a direct result of how much protien you get (and you nedd a lot if it is something you struggle with). I took my blood pressure daily and it directly reflected how much protien I had eaten.

There are things you can do to nudge labor into progress with out an all out induction. There is castor oil and herbs (which I used but don't recommend) nipple stimulaton and some things your midwife can do such as stripping and rupturing the membranes. I don't know much about the last two except for there is big debate over them I am sure. But better than pit or cytotec I would think.

O.K. as for tearing I would guess it depends on how well you have healed and how long you have been healing. My friend had a horrible tear (50 something stitches) and had another baby less that a year later. Big ole repeat tear but considering the circumstances . . It looks like you have had a good chance to heal and with the help of a knowledgeable midwife who is skilled in preventing tears you will probably be just fine. I am sure it can be done.

[maybebaby]

Thanks for the feedback guys! I really appreciate it...

I had heard about the protein effecting hypertension, and being a vegetarian now I know that's going to be an issue for me. I guess lots of nuts, cottage cheese and tofu!!

Hadn't really thought about the induction making it harder for me to even go *into* labor though! Eeeks! But thanks also for the info on starting labor.

Again, thanks for all the info!!!!

Cheryl

[2boys1girlsmom]

I have never heard that a previous induction makes it difficult to start labor. Wouldn't you think each time would be its own experience? I will check on that. As far as the episiotomy, I think scar tissue is supposed to be stronger than unscarred skin. But then again, probably less stretchy, so who knows what effect that would have. Well, I guess I am not much help, but I will be checking back to see what everyone else knows.

[sunmountain]

The thing about episiotomies is that they do form strong scar tissue, but allowing yourself to tear naturally will result in a tear along the cell walls, and if treated properly afterwards, will heal better and be less painful. (my experience)
Your attitude about the birth has more to do with the nature of your labor (not length necessarily) than anything else. Go into it with a positive "I can do this" attitude, and you'll be sucessful, but feeling worried and apprehensive will only work against you. Also, I simply felt more comfortable and safe at home, and I think my body responded positively to that. I am about to have another hospital birth and have needed a lot of support from my midwives to go thru with it b/c I just don't like hospitals if I'm not sick. Learn as much as possible about birth as you can--The Bradley Method is a great start if you have a teacher near you. Forget Lamaze, all that panting is worthless IMO.
Just b/c you are overweight doesn't mean you can't have a healthy pregnancy--keep up the good diet and exercise, and congrats on changing that about yourself

[luvmykids]

past inductions

Concerning Motherdownunder's comments about the possiblility that your body may not know how to start labor bc of past inductions.....I was induced with my first (hospital birth), and had successful homebirth experience with my second. I was amazed and estatic at how efficient my body worked during the labor of the second child. I had been drinking tons of Raspberry Leaf Tea throughout the entire pregnancy(may I recommend the raspberry leaf tea from the Mother Tea Co. from the Compleat Mother magazine...its the best!), and increased the amount near the end.....I'm sure that helped my uterus to become more efficient at getting the baby out. I really don't think you will have anything to worry about....your body will intinctively know what to do when the baby decides it's ready to meet you!! Good luck with it.... Tricia

[mamallama]

I agree re: past inductions

My first labor was induced due to PROM. I had a whole host of interventions that I didn't want.

My second babe was born 11 days past her EDD (I know for certain when I ovulated, she was indeed a slow-cooker). I labored spontaneously the second time & had a beautiful homebirth.

I also drank a lot of red raspberry leaf tea during my second pregnancy. My 2nd labor was only 4hrs, and it was super easy. I wouldn't bank on quick & easy for future births (tea or no), because each one is unique, but if you've had quick labors in the past I'd be prepared (ie-choose an attendant that lives nearby) for one in the future.

[maybebaby]

Thanks for the confidence boost!! Glad to hear things should theoretically go well :-)

Now just to convince my dh we *need* another baby!!!! (he's waffling!)