I am looking for advice, opinions, thoughts, experiences, on my current situation and dilemma.
I am pregnant with our third child. When I was pregnant with our first, I had a high-tech ultrasound at 5 months along, and the doctor noticed right away that I had a slight bicornuate uterus. He said that since I was so far along, it was difficult to tell how far down the septum extended, but he told me that my uterus is probably "heart-shaped." He said that it wasn't a reason not to birth at a birth center (our plan at the time) but that it increased my risk of preterm labor and breech presentation. Fast forward to my due date. I went into labor at 10am, had a very easy labor, showed up at the birth center 8cm dialated. My midwife discovered that baby was a footling breech. He was born at the hospital 30 minutes later by emergency cesarean (I was 10cm).
My second child I very much wanted to vbac. My midwives (in-hospital) were unconcerned about the bicornuate uterus. Baby was head-down the entire time, but I went over 42 weeks with off and on labor and midwives said either I had to have AROM for induction or be switched to an OB in the practice. I elected for the AROM and had an awful, long, painful labor with three hours of pushing and ended with another cesarean.
Now pregnant again. Last child. Very much want a vaginal birth. I have a family practice doc here in my small town who is somewhat supportive of me laboring, but when he saw my bicornuate uterus on an early ultrasound (with a very, very low-tech machine), was sort of baffled and didn't know what to think. Said he thought maybe this was why I "couldn't have children vaginally," which I just don't think is true. He said after seeing my uterus he was less optimistic about a vaginal birth. I also have contacted a homebirth midwife in my state who is willing to assist with this baby. She did not seem at all concerned about my uterus, except that it might cause malpresentation and I might be at a higher risk for a repeat cesarean.
I have done research on this and found some statistics that say that a bicornuate uterus is at a greater risk for rupture (like 8% vs. 1%). But I have read other studies that say that uterine abnormalities pose no greater risk for rupture. I don't think that my uterus is *that* abnormal, but I just don't know. I really feel confused and unsure of what to do. I am only 10 wks pg, so I have time. I do think that my uterus shape does make malpresentation or breech presentation more likely, but I don't see that as a reason to not try laboring.
What do you all think? Do you think a homebirth would be a safe choice? Or should I try to find a hospital setting? Thoughts?
I am pregnant with our third child. When I was pregnant with our first, I had a high-tech ultrasound at 5 months along, and the doctor noticed right away that I had a slight bicornuate uterus. He said that since I was so far along, it was difficult to tell how far down the septum extended, but he told me that my uterus is probably "heart-shaped." He said that it wasn't a reason not to birth at a birth center (our plan at the time) but that it increased my risk of preterm labor and breech presentation. Fast forward to my due date. I went into labor at 10am, had a very easy labor, showed up at the birth center 8cm dialated. My midwife discovered that baby was a footling breech. He was born at the hospital 30 minutes later by emergency cesarean (I was 10cm).
My second child I very much wanted to vbac. My midwives (in-hospital) were unconcerned about the bicornuate uterus. Baby was head-down the entire time, but I went over 42 weeks with off and on labor and midwives said either I had to have AROM for induction or be switched to an OB in the practice. I elected for the AROM and had an awful, long, painful labor with three hours of pushing and ended with another cesarean.
Now pregnant again. Last child. Very much want a vaginal birth. I have a family practice doc here in my small town who is somewhat supportive of me laboring, but when he saw my bicornuate uterus on an early ultrasound (with a very, very low-tech machine), was sort of baffled and didn't know what to think. Said he thought maybe this was why I "couldn't have children vaginally," which I just don't think is true. He said after seeing my uterus he was less optimistic about a vaginal birth. I also have contacted a homebirth midwife in my state who is willing to assist with this baby. She did not seem at all concerned about my uterus, except that it might cause malpresentation and I might be at a higher risk for a repeat cesarean.
I have done research on this and found some statistics that say that a bicornuate uterus is at a greater risk for rupture (like 8% vs. 1%). But I have read other studies that say that uterine abnormalities pose no greater risk for rupture. I don't think that my uterus is *that* abnormal, but I just don't know. I really feel confused and unsure of what to do. I am only 10 wks pg, so I have time. I do think that my uterus shape does make malpresentation or breech presentation more likely, but I don't see that as a reason to not try laboring.
What do you all think? Do you think a homebirth would be a safe choice? Or should I try to find a hospital setting? Thoughts?
