how do I approach this....

[sandbmom]

I desparatly want a homebirth. However I am 'high risk' I have had 2 children preemie. However if by some miracle I make it to term I REALLY want to be home when I deliver. Hospitals are not may favorite place. What I need advice on is how do I convince DH to do a homebirth and then how do I find a midwife who would take me given my high risk tendancies...
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[mom3b1?]

You may want to think about hiring a Midwife who will work with you about things that can prevent premature birth. Not everything is preventable, but some MWs do have more information about nutrition and other things that can help in some situations. Then if your pregnancy goes well you can have that homebirth.

You can either hire a MW who works with particular OBs and see the OBs as well for care, or hire a seperate OB who can see you about medical issues related to why you birth so early. Doctors are wonderful, sometimes, when there is a real medical problem. That's what they do best.

Having both kinds of care could be best for you, if your previous problems were caused by medical problems that might recur.

Kiley

[pixie2225]

I actually was just in the same situation. I had preterm labor with ds#1 and actually delivered at 36 weeks. I am now pregnant with ds#2 and feel the same way about birthing at home. I have seen an OB throughout this pregnancy due to the conditions of last pregnancy. Amazingly I am now almost 40 weeks and no signs of labor. Once I hit 36 weeks I realized that I was probably going to make it so I swtched to a midwife who will now be doing our homebirth...provided I ever actually have this one..ha ha.

I would recommend not waiting as long as I did to secure the details because you might make it to term as well. Switching at the end was incredibly stressful. I would make sure to eat well, take your omega 3's, stay calm and follow your midwife/OB recommendations for hopefully preventing another preterm delivery. One option to look into, although a medical intervention, is 17-P injections. These are once weekly injections of pregesterone that have been shown to help in the prevention of preterm delivery in those with a history and risk factors for another preterm delivery.

Most importantly, never give up. Trust that your body knows what it's doing. Even with your history you may still make it to term this time and have the homebirth you are dreaming of.

[ckhagen]

One of my close friends has had two preemies and is pregnant with her 3rd. She went ahead and chose a midwife this time who is treating her as a regular patient with the exception of (consented/wanted) ultrasounds every once in a while to check her cervical length which was the most obvious sign of he last two impending births. The m/w has a backup perinatologist who she works closely with and should my friend go into labor prior to 37 weeks (state requires 37 weeks), she will transfer her to him and the hospital. All looks good as of now though and I'm placing my bets that's she'll actually make it to or past her due date this time!

[attachedmamaof3]

I just wanted to mention that there are MW's out there who will deliver premies (to a certian week point not like 27 wks or anything!!). My mother had my sister at home 6 wks early. They may need you to make some "concessions" that make them feel more comfortable with your progress and such but that's definately something you can discuss when you interview them!!