16yr old homebirth?

[mwright]

I've heard that teenage birther's are considered med-risk. Is this true? My 16yr old sister is 13 weeks prgnt and she wants to homebirth here baby. Will a midwife take her? There is no way she will step foot into a hospital unless its a true medical need. Both my mom and I back her up on that..(we have alot of homebirther's in my family). Does anyone have experience with this paticular situation? TIA!

[rmzbm]

I don't have any experiance...but I don't see any reason a 16 YO couldn't birth at home.

[mamachandi]

hmm Ive heard the younger you are the better. But of course I have nothing to back that up.

[Ackray]

Teenage moms are prone to high blood preassure/pre-e, and cephalopelvic insufficiency. Talk to a midwife about it. I don't see why a midwife wouldn't take her and then decide later in the pregnancy if a HB is possible.

[MamaJenese]

I think it very much depends on the maturity of her body and the quality of prenatel care. The problem arises when the body of the women is not physically mature. I think the risks are higher when they are dealing with mothers of 13/14. A 16 year old probably has a very good shot at a happy healthy homebirth!

[momazon4]

If her health is good enough I'm thinking that homebirth might be a very good option for her. I had just turned 19 when I had ds and there was some negative attitude during labour because I looked younger. That's hard on a mama in labour!!

[Patchfire]

I think the concerns are with teenagers who are menustrating and capable of sustaining a pregnancy but are not finished growing. I think another aspect of concern is diet; there are a lot of sources that will state, unequivocally, that teenage mothers are going to have a worse diet than any others, etc. (Don't get me started on how angry they make me!) It doesn't sound like any of those concerns would be in play with your sister (unless of course she entered puberty very late, and is possibly still growing).

[Jane]

I know a woman who had a homebirth at 16, with a midwife. She did just fine.

[Leilalu]

The younger you are, ( a good "young' age anyway) say 16 , 17 and up- the better your body is going to handle it. Provided you are healthy. I have read all sorts of stuff from old childbirth books that advocates young mothers as the best kind, speaking of the actual birth process.

But mark my word, try to go to a doctor, and they will not want to let her go back to a homebirth. I would have her supervised under a great midwife though.

[momma4fun]

I've heard that teenage births can be way fast.

[Kathryn]

I would do it. I got pregnant at 17 and had a wonderful birth.

[mwright]

Ok ladies, thank you very much!!! I just had a baby 10 mo ago so I'm encouraging her to eat good and take her vitamins etc. and since my mind is so fresh on birth, I'm encouraging her to get educated on birth and be informed so that she can make good choices for herself and for birth and for baby!!! I'm excited cause I know she can do this!! Thank you again!

[mwright]

Oh and I am pretty sure she is past puberty and is done growing..she is physically mature so she should have no problems there.. and we are not stepping foot in the hospital..my mom was never big into doctors so we basically stayed away unless there is a broken bone..we feel the same about birth too..

[stacey2061]

according to all the papers my midwife gave me to read, being that young requires her to consult with a dr but doesn't rule anything out. it just means they like to keep an extra careful eye on things...not sure if this is more to do with the physicalities of being that young, a socio-economic thing or what

[pamamidwife]

I don't consider 16 years old too young for birth - in fact, isn't it really the time when we start becoming biologically prime for birth?

[GinaRae]

Originally Posted by Ackray

Teenage moms are prone to high blood preassure/pre-e, and cephalopelvic insufficiency.

They're also a slightly higher risk for premature delivery and birth deffects than a 20 something.

[pamamidwife]

Wow, I'd like to see some documentation on that - and are we talking about 12, 13 and 14 year olds or are we talking about 16+ yrs? Is it only because of socioeconomic issues or age only? Because if we're talking socioeconomic, age is not a factor. If we're talking age only, I would need to see some references.

[Maggi315]

Well, my experience as a nurse and now as a midwife does not hold true that teens have more problems. Or that their pelvises are smaller somehow. Where is the actual science/research on that? And who is still measuring pelvises out there?

What I saw is that many teens don't take care of themselves, maybe are abusing drugs/alcohol, eating disorders, etc. Not that adults can't have the same problems. these teens did have more problems, higher complications.

But the teens that took care of themselves can do wonderful. What a great opportunity for them to become a woman, to stand up and take responsibility, to see themselves as capable, confident new mothers. I have seen many teens do just that and I am so proud of them. These teens are starting motherhood off on the right foot.

Encourage her! I would have no problem taking on a teen!

[Jane]

In my experience (not research), I have seen teens gain more weight and drop more weight than the average woman. Up 70 lbs with a normal diet, and down 70 within 4 weeks with a normal diet, while making copious milk. I worry, 'cause that's what I do, but...it seems normal/natural for some.

I really enjoy working with teens that have decided on natural childbirth. Some almost seem to take it on as a dare, when they are told childbirth is hard. That attitude seems to work really well in getting through to the end.

[AmieV]

purely anecdotal, but my mom had me at 16, and she had true failure to progress with a csection. She's tiny anyway and she was so young and barely developed, and I was 8 lbs...I know all those factors aren't very often true but with her I believe it. To hear her tell the story especially. She had contractions that she said were as intense as mine in active labor and transition (she was at both of my births) for like 24 hours and never got past 3 cm. So, from my limited knowledge it sounds like her section was necessary.

My midwife also mentioned that teens tend to either have failure to progress issues with complicated deliveries or that they go reaaaallly fast. But she attends homebirths of teens, it's just something she watches for. I don't see it as something that would risk your sister out or anything at all. especially if she knows how to take good care of herself during pregnancy!