Scan Update from Jenni

[Guest guest]

Hi All

Had my scan for the low lying placenta, the Good News The placenta is

well up out of the way so I'm 'on course' for my home-birth.

The Bad News The experience was totally ruined for me by the alarmist

talk I was subjected to after the scan.

* The Consultant informed me that from the measurements taken that Babi is

probably bigger than Mari was (9lb10oz) ... and referred to my beautiful

Babi as 'fat'. 'Charted' Babi and said that her head was on the 50th

percentile but her stomach on the 98th - that's not a nice picture to have

graphically painted of your baby.

* Talked about the risks of shoulder dystocia with a larger baby.

* Referred to the 'risks of home-birth' because of the MWs not having the

same equipment as they have at the hospital.

* Decided that he was classifying me as 'high risk' and not really suitable

for a home-birth because I've had two retained placentas but 'acknowledged'

that it was my choice.

* Told me he disagreed with my choosing not to have syntometrine this time.

* Kept on referring to gestational diabetes.

Stupid thing is we *knew* this was coming but failed to avoid the situation.

I was strong at the time and constructively challenged a lot of what he

said, declined any blood tests, GTT or further interventions. I also told

him that we were considering an independent MW which deflected him when he

was talking about his perception of the 'risks of home-birth'.

I told him that if I did have another retained placenta then I would

transfer again, have a spinal and go home, he said " not until you can feel

your legs! " . I informed him that I would be taken out to the car in a

wheelchair rather than stay in hospital where they nearly killed me last

time! I think he finally 'got the picture'.

Problem is that this was just a brave front, he did 'get to me' and I feel

pretty despondent tonight, but then I guess I just need some time to adjust

and to relax again.

What did I learn today?

a) I should have taken the wrong turning into the car park after the scan.

Consultants are just doing their job, they have to justify their

existence.

c) I should have told the Sonographer that I was there purely to see the

position of the placenta and not to take measurements of Babi.

d) If I hadn't had the 18wk scan this whole scenario could have been

avoided. If my placenta had stayed low lying I would have

had some bleeding before labour.

If you've got this far, well done and thank you for listening to my vent.

Think I'll read some of 'Active Birth' and try and convert this negative

energy into positive home-birth energy.

Jenni

(& Gethyn) 17yrs, Mari 3yrs (H/B), Babi Bach exp.09/2001 = 32wks+6

" If you don't know your choices, then you haven't got any "