Michaela,
I had considered a homebirth as well, but when I started having so many bp issues I said no way. It is just too dangerous for both mom and babe.
I want to add that Sam was delivered by the same midwife that delivered Chloe and my ob was in the room monitoring my bp and giving orders for meds at the same time. It was nice. I had the best of both worlds. I also had three RNs helping. I am a RN myself and my sister is a midwife so I have a lot of input as to health plans.
I'm sorry that all this can be so frustrating. You never know what can happen in a subsequent pregnancy.
The CD your midwife made you sounds so beautiful... priceless. I am so glad you have it. I have no pictures of Chloe after she was born and I regret that decision.
I just know that you will find the strength you need to make decisions in the future. Jared is smiling down on you and sending you love all the time. Youa re a wonderful mom!
HUGS,
Suzanna

Suzanna (29)
John DH (28)

Aaryngston DS 3/25/95
Chloe DD Stillbirth 10/26/01
Samuel DS 12/30/02

maternal fetal specialist is the same thing as a peri- they actually call themselves maternal-fetal specialists (or MFM-- specialists in maternal fetal medicine), and we insist on calling 'em peris[;)]

I wish I had good advice or perspective- but I'm a confirmed hospital gal myself[:)] Best wishes and luck in whatever you decide!

Laura-28
DH Jack-30
Allie 5-13-98 (35 weeks-pre-e)
Baby Camille 4-17-03 (36 weeks- htn and oligo)
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/c/camilleandallie/

Hi Michaela, when next time comes, there is no reason not to have both midwife and MFM. The one thing that you may well need is the constant reassurance from an expert that everything is going fine. I know I did. I wouldn't have believed anyone else but him. He didn't end up delivering my baby (he was at home minding 4 of his 5 kids while his wife took the eldest to the hospital) but I don't think I could have coped with being pregnant if I had not had total confidence in his judgement and that the entire OB service at the hospital was capable of managing any problems that might arise.

Catherine (37)
DH, Dave (40)
Finn (6)
Lucy (2)
Chloe (7/2/03)

Well, I guess I know what I have to do next time around[:(]
My midwife is going to refer me to a MFM. I live in North Florida and I can't find a listing for a Peri anywhere near here. Will an MFM be just as diligent??

My son was beautiful. My midwife made me a beautiful CD with all the pictures she took at the birth. It's like a slide show set to the song A Child of GOD. I'm so blessed she was thoughtful enough to do it. I will always have it as a reminder of that day. As hard as it was, I never want to forget anything that happened or anything about Jared. You guys on this site are awesome by the way. It has made it so much easier to understand what happened and learn more about what to do next time.
Thanx a bunch[:)]

Michaela 34
DH Ken 37
DS Joshua 7 yrs
DD Kennedy 4 yrs
DD Kathryn 3yrs
Our little angel Jared 34 wks stillborn 10/31/03 due to PE

I really need to proof read my answers[:D]. I meant to say "add" not *...

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

I also want to * that YES preeclampsia can happen at the onset of labor and postpardum!! Plus that is when it is most dangerous.....I know it's a bummer to hear this but it's the truth and I know from oyur post you want to know the facts....I would also have a consultation with a perinatoligist even before you concieve to see if there are underlying factors...This may help you have a very healthy pregnancy[:)]. Good luck and I am so sorry for the loss of your son.

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.

Thank you for your response. You did not hurt my feelings. I am pretty sure I will have the next one in the hospital, but I can always hope that a homebirth is still possible I guess.

Trust me when I say the insurance companies have nothing to do with any homebirth campaign. It took me 4 months of letter writing and phone calls to get them to pay even though in Florida they have to if they don't cover it in their plan.

Homebirth is becoming more popular because in a situation where there is no high risk it is actually safer than a hospital birth.(ie. lower mortality for mom and baby, fewer c-secs., fewer episiotomies, better recovery) I did a lot of research before taking that step.

Anyway, I was just hoping to find someone who may have had a homebirth after PE. I sort of figured it might be a long shot. Never hurts to ask though. (Actually it was my husband who really wanted to know. He was hoping we wouldn't ever have to go back to hospital births, but he would never want to jeopordize mine or the babys life)

Of course it will be awhile before we entertain the idea of another pregnancy. we are both sort of still in shock. I guess I'm just working through this grief by getting some info now to prepare myself for later.

Again , thank you for your advice I do appreciate any info I can get.

Michaela 34
DH Ken 37
DS Joshua 7 yrs
DD Kennedy 4 yrs
DD Kathryn 3yrs
Our little angel Jared 34 wks stillborn 10/31/03 due to PE

[;)] I guess the silence on this topic means that nobody had a homebirth after pree.

Anyway, I'd like to tell you my biased opinion. Before having pree, I thought that a homebirth is an interesting idea.
After pree, I would advise ANY woman to go to the hospital for the birth. Those guys know what they are doing. They are delivering babies all the time, and you might need them to have your baby and you alive and ok.

Why am I imagining that this homebirth campaign is pushed forward by the insurance companies, but not by doctors?
I come from Romania, in Romania nobody talks about homebirth. It might happen, but nobody advertises it... yet. I guess in there people are not that "advanced".

I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, really did not mean to, I just wanted to share my opinion. The birth giving was very harsh for me and if I were not in a hospital I could have died too.

You had homebirths and you had a harsh brush with pree, so you probably know better than anyone else what your decision should be. You are really brave to think about a homebirth, I am impressed.

As to your question when is pree happening, I think I heard a doctor say that most women deaths from pree happen in the first 24h after birth.

I also heard my doctor telling me about a woman that had a perfect birth and as they were getting ready to release her, he noticed that she was swollen... she had pree.

Good luck in your decision and birth wherever that will be. A birth is perfect when you and your baby are alive and well.



Ileana 33
Angel stillborn 24w p-e 2/17/03

Has anyone here had a homebirth after a PE birth? My 1st child was an induction in the hosp. The 2nd was an unplanned homebirth and my 3rd was a planned homebirth. Jared was supposed to be a homebirth also, but it of course did not happen that way. My question is after you have PE is it possible to have a pregnancy that has NO signs and therefore be considered normal?? I know in some instances a high risk OB can sign off for a homebirth if everything checks out. BUT, even if you show no signs of PE, can it show up after you go into labor?? For a normal birth you can do it at home after 37 weeks. I know a homebirth would be pushing it, but I thought I'd ask ya'll if it was a possibility. I thought I'd never have another hospital birth, but i'd do it in a minute to have another baby. Thanks for listening.

Michaela 34
DH Ken 37
DS Joshua 7 yrs
DD Kennedy 4 yrs
DD Kathryn 3yrs
Our little angel Jared 34 wks stillborn 10/31/03 due to PE