Alternative birth methods?

Hello! I've been a member here for awhile but I just started posting here today! Anyway, it seems like everyone around me is having babies these days, which of course makes me ponder someday having one of my own. My surgeon told me I need to wait 2 years, so I have a ways to go, but I was wondering about a couple things. Has anyone post-WLS used any of the "alternative" birth methods? I'm interested in the possibility of water birth with a midwife. I wasn't sure how WLS affects the average woman when giving birth - does WLS automatically make us "high-risk" during pregnancy? I also kind of wanted to see whether post-WLS patients have used midwives and if so, what they thought of it. I intend to talk to my surgeon at my next appointment with him just to get an idea of where he stands on the issue, even though it won't apply to me for another couple years. Thanks!

A newbie

Between my age and the surgery I get to go have growth scans with the high-risk OB. Otherwise I am not high risk. The high risk OB just wants to make sure everythings is looking good. Growth wise I am but delivery wise I am not. Hope this makes sense (I have a hard time with making sense at times. Brain cells to the baby) and helps out.

I am too much of a Nervous Nelly to seriously entertain any alternative methods.  I want to be in a hospital and in the care of a very experienced OB--just in case!

I think you should definitely research the water birth idea. I just attended my best friend's water birth of her third child. Her first two were born in the hospital, but she wanted a different experience with her final baby. She opted for a birth center where they have every thing a hospital does except for all the surgical equipment. The birth was so beautiful and peaceful and natural. I would think that your WLS would make you better prepared for an alternative birth, not less prepared! I wrote this article about getting fit prior to pregnancy, and how being in good shape is better for you, baby, and your birth! Blessings!

http://factoidz.com/are-you-fit-for-pregnancy/

I'm not even considered high risk and am having twins this time around. The only problem with alternative birth methods are the costs- a lot of insurances will not pay for them. Midwives should be covered, but not a lot of birthing centers are. At least that has been my experience. Of course it varies. Some dr's think that post WLS patients are automatically high risk, so I think it depends. Good luck with your search.

Carrie

the good news is wls really has nothing to do with our reproductive system.. i would have loved to have a home birth a week ago... however i was high risk due to my son being a premature birth and i had some cervical issues this time around...i saw a dr for this pregancy but there was a midwife in the practice to ended up actually delivering my daughter... and you know what... it was so nice.. and calm.. she didnt even break down the bed... no legs in the things...

If you've never been pregnant before or had normal pregnancies in the past and normal deliveries, there's no reason why WLS will make you deliver in any other way than the way you want to. WLS alone does not make you high risk, unless you have some massive nutritional deficiencies or something of that nature. But if you have massive nutritional deficiencies, you should be trying to prevent pregnancies because that's not a situation you want to be in AND be pregnant.

You're perfectly able to have a waterbirth and use a midwife. You may have to do a little coordination with your surgeon to make sure your labs are good and that you're taking the right kind of vitamins.

Good luck with your weight loss and when you do decide to try and conceive!