Clotting issue/ Can I still Homebirth

[Jlcampbellkidz]

This will be my fourth baby. 2 hospital births, and my last was a wonderful, completely uncomplicated homebirth. I have had several reacurring miscarriages in the last year. I was sent to a reproductive specialist by my midwife. They ran lot's of inconclusive bloodwork. Until I recently got pregnant and they ran more. First my progesterone was way low, so we have been on progesterone suppositories since 4 weeks. Hoping to get off it by 12 weeks so just 2 more weeks.
Today I had a 10 week sono andn all looked good. Baby was measuring 5 days smaller than conception date. My blood work came back that i had a very high positive for an IGg antiphospholipid antibody. It was explained to me that this condition can cause miscarriage, preeclampsia, stillbirth, or underdeveloped baby, peemie birth. If untreated. So they put me on a dose of heprin by injection twice a day. They also said I was considered High Risk wich is a term that I can't stand. I am seeing a specialist this Friday with my midwife so she can help me ask the right questions.
Has anyone here, had this or taken heprin and still had a successful homebirth? Where there complications? Problems, ect.....

I would appreciate any info, or links.

Thanks,
LC

[~Heyokha~]

hmm......... I'm not sure about that. you might get more responses if you post in the Birth Professionals section. I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy and birth!

[EKilgore]

Yes, I was on heparin injections twice daily throughout my pregnancy and had a successful homebirth.

I have factor V leiden disorder which is a clotting disorder that causes similar problems to your disorder. It's a genetic problem and I found out I had it after an aunt had deep vein clots 3 days postpartum with her 3rd child after she had several miscarriages. So basically the whole family had the test and we all pretty much have it, though my mom delivered 4 of us at home without any problems before she even knew she had factor V. Obviously as in your situation some pregnancies will be fine, others may not.

So based on the risks involved, I decided to take heparin. I saw an OB throughout the pregnancy who prescribed the heparin as my MW does not prescribe meds. I had my hemoglobin checked a few times and continued to see the OB for prenatals (which sucked). I also saw my MW for prenatal visits. Interestingly though, my OB was pretty positive about the homebirth and said that the heparin would likely be out of my system by the time I gave birth if I stopped taking the shots when labor started. I had a long labor (40hrs) and no hemorraging. The OB said the biggest risk for being on heparin is with an epidural b/c it could cause a hematoma(sp?) at the injection site, thus damaging the spine- obviously not a problem for a homebirth!

My sister also had a HB and took heparin. She did hemorage a bit, but it was also a really long labor and her midwife advised her to take another shot during labor which was a bad idea.

I felt comfortable with my choice in the end. My MW had pit and methargine(sp?) on hand in the event of a hemmorage but still the risk was pretty low.

BTW, the shots totally sucked at first but I did get used to them. Also, I found that icing the injection site for a few minutes before helped with the pain and bruising quite a bit, as well as spreading out the injections- the instructions were initially to inject in my stomach, but I later learned to spread them out over my hips more.

Good luck!

[Jlcampbellkidz]

Thank you! I have an OB appointment today. I have so many questions. I am taking my best friend and my homebirth midwife with me for support.

The injecting is hard. I did the first two in my lower stomach in the fatty part. Then the next two in the upper thigh. Swiched sides both times. The legs hurt a lot. Stomach not so bad except for the stinging. But I felt stinging regardless where I injected. They were not clear on all the places I could inject but I would love to know all of them. Specially if the spots can be hidden. Eventually I will want bare belly prego pics and it's gonna be ugly if it looks like what my injection sites look like right now. I am going to try the ice thing this morning when I inject at 8am. And possibly the hip. Dont think I will be doing my leg again at all. It's still very sore.:

We have three healthy girls. My last was born at home, and vertually NO Bleeding. I am now wondering if I had this clotting issue then. I was only recently tested for it, because of several reacurrent losses.
I told my husband this must be a boy this time, because a girl would never put me through this. :

[MamaEssie]

I have the same condition you do but mild enough that I didn't have to do the heparin...only daily baby aspirin while I'm pg. I stopped the ba about a month before my son's due date and he was born at home without any problems. I'll be doing the same with this little one.

[Jlcampbellkidz]

My visit lasted two hours with the midwife. I don't trust very many medical personell but I truly trust her. After all my questions were answered and a good talk with my husband an a lot of prayer, I have made a decision. Because I am on heprin, my chance for a big bleed is there. I tend to birth quickly. In like less than 12 hours so It's hard to skip a shot when I go into labor. Even so, For me the risks don't outway the benifits this time. If I stay at home and bleed more than methergin or pitocen can handle then need a blood platelet transfusion then it's an emergency to get to the hospital and I will be separated from the baby. But I have delivered at this hospital with these midwives before and they are great. It doesn't hold a candle to the peacefulness of doing it at home. But I don't think I could be at peace at home knowing the risk I would be taking for myself. So if I deliver there, and need a transfusion the midwife said they would have everything ready to go and would not take the baby away. Last time I birthed with them, my daughter never left my room, barley my arms and we left within 12 hours. It helps that I am a demanding mom and don't let them put me or my baby on thier routine!
I am trying to stay positive and think about how wonderful this birth can be if I surround myself with positive support people and family. But I am still crying over the loss of my ideal birth. Healthy baby, Healthy Me, always comes first. In most cases I would say this is better possible at home, but this time I believe the hospital is best.