Help! creating a relaxing birth environment - Perth

[tinkerbelle]

Hi all
Need some advice. Hubby and I planning to fall pregnant and need to start thinking about my options early as I have a number of 'special needs' I guess you could say and need to find the best person and place to help with these, and Perth specialists get booked up so fast!
My problem is, I very anxious/distressed being anywhere near hospitals or medical staff due to previous traumatic gyno and other medical experiences including severe reactions to medicinal drugs and pethidine, repeated humiliating and degrading treatment for gynaecological issues, and one doctor who very nearly killed me - followed by totally unsupportive and unsympathetic nursing care!!!! - so am not very trusting of the medical profession anymore.
BUT - I may end up being a high risk pregnancy due to a previous cone biopsy of my cervix and a history of severe depression (I wonder why with all my medical history?? *sarcasm*). Have been told by a specialist that these shouldn't affect my ability to give birth naturally but that I should seek obstetrician support rather than a midwife. I feel strongly about how I want my birthing experience to be based on my previous medical experiences and reading I have done:-
1) I dont want drugs as I am highly sensitive to them and they nearly always interefere with my mental balance, I have managed severe post op pain without drugs before so I know I can deal with pain ok. Would be happy with just gas.
2) I am weary of caesars as studies show higher rates of depression after and as I am at risk of this already, I really don't want one! I also want a natural birth out of personal preference.
3) I would like to use some 'natural' methods of pain relief during my labour such as massage, homeopathy, possibly herbs through consultation with my naturopath, reiki etc as I have found the natural approach has always worked best for managing my stress, anxiety and depression.
4) I dont cope well in stressful situations when there is too much noise, too many people about. And I do cope better when i can do things like light candles, listen to relaxing music, have people I care about around me, breathe deeply, be in my own space, use water to relax, keep my mind positive, use aromatherapy etc, - I need medical professionals to respect what I know works for me through my own previous experiences.
5) I would love a home birth and a water birth would be wonderful for help me managing my anxiety levels and therefore post natal depression risk, but I think a home birth would probably be too risky with my history. Seems most Perth hospitals don't support water births?
Am thinking the birthing suite at KEMH might be best for me with a doula to support me with natural methods of pain relief. But I may also need access to a really good obs in case my cervix has issues. Can you choose a private obs to access from the birth suite if needed? - any that are known to be good with cervical issues? Any obs at KEMH that people know of that would be good to consult re my issues? Any advice or ideas, I would be so grateful. My biggest concern is keeping my stress levels down so that I can prevent post natal depression -high stress particularly around traumatic medical experiences has resulted in depression for me before. I am trying to come to some conclusions about all this before I fall pregnant to keep my stress levels down during pregnancy. Thanks in advance.....sorry for the lengthy post

[twoangelboys]

Am thinking the birthing suite at KEMH might be best for me with a doula to support me with natural methods of pain relief. But I may also need access to a really good obs in case my cervix has issues. Can you choose a private obs to access from the birth suite if needed? - any that are known to be good with cervical issues? Any obs at KEMH that people know of that would be good to consult re my issues?

Are you talking about the Family Birth Centre attached to KEMH? I had my second baby there. I've also had a hospital birth and a homebirth.

I think you are complicating issues for yourself.

Firstly, I don't see why a history of depression should be anyone's business in regards to where you birth. Birth centre, homebirth or hospital - it shouldn't matter.

And now to your cervix and labour. Your biopsy may affect your ability to birth, or it may not. What would happen if it does? You may not dialate perhaps? A biopsy of the cervix certainly won't lead to anything catastrophic happening in birth. However, *any* Obstetrician can perform a c-section for you if it comes to that, they don't have to be a 'specialist' in any particular issue.

My cousin just birthed her second baby after another short, drug free labour, and she's had two early cancers removed from her cervix. While she was told it *may* affect her ability to fall pregnant, she was never told it would be an issue in childbirth.

If it were me in your shoes and I was as anxious about hospitals as you seem to be, then personally I would be avoiding an Ob. altogether. Your midwife would refer you on if there were any issues arising.

[Mayaness]

It is my conviction that someone with pre-existing anxiety will not be served by medicalisation and being surrounded by people who are trained to take over control of women's bodies!
I definitely recommend the waterbirth (or using water for relief) and either a Hypnobirthing or Calmbirth course. No matter what happens, have the skills from HB/CB will help you process the experience with minimal anxiety and maximum control that you can feel

[Eluned]

I'd definitely go with a midwife and doula if you want a greater chance of having a natural birth. An OB is more likely to steer towards c/s (not all obs are like this, but they are trained surgeons!).

KEMH birthing centre will let you labour in water but not give birth in water. Check out the WA Community Midwifery program. It has some excellent info on birthing at home with a midwife or in a birthing centre.

[becstarr79]

tinkerbelle you sound similar to me, I suffer from generalised anxiety and as a result a phobia of having my heart rate/blood pressure taken (so as you can imagine I was a bit apprehensive about giving birth!). Not to scare you, but this is what I went through at KEMH.

My advice to you would be to make an appointment at KEMH and have a chat with a midwife/OB and explain exactly what your situation is - that is where I went wrong, no one knew my history. Even if you decide to have a homebirth and have to transfer to KEMH at least then your history will be on file and hopefully the doctors/midwifes will act accordingly. If you go the the Birth Centre you can talk to the midwives there and again ask that your history be passed onto the hospital.

If you decide to go to the Birth Centre (which is still a great choice even though I couldn't birth there, the atmosphere is very calm and the aim is low intervention) find out if it's possible that a midwife can transfer with you in case you need to go to the hospital, that way you are transferring with someone you know, otherwise find out if you can hire a doula perhaps? Obviously with a homebirth you'll have to hire a private midwife anyway who will travel with you if you need to go to the hospital.

I hope this helps, again I don't want to scare you at all, it's all about being prepared and communicating with your health care providers early to ensure that when the time comes they know exactly how to care for you.

Goodluck! Bec