My name is Kathy, and I live in the USA. I am the mother of 12 children.
My first was a straightforward hospital birth with all of the standard interventions except for pain medication. Whenever the nurse came near me with that big juicy needle, I successfully fended her off until I gave birth.
My next 3 babies were delivered by cesarean section; the first 2 because of breech presentation, the second was a VBAC attempt by me, but the doctor went into distress because he was very nervous about the whole thing. (Of course, he didn't let on to this until I was in labor in the hospital. He was agreeable during my pregnancy.)
My next 8 babies were born at home with the help of a midwife. My last baby was born just 4 weeks ago. I am so thankful for the independent midwife who helped me when I was viewed as only high-risk by the medical profession. I had been told I should never, ever again attempt a vaginal birth because I would never be able to dilate because of so much scar tissue.
Since my first homebirth in 1987 when I began to really educate myself about birth, I have been studying midwifery textbooks and reading many books about birth. I have been able to attend some births with a midwife in attendance. Maybe someday when my children are grown I will be able to further involve myself in homebirths. My midwife is a great blessing in our family's life. Midwives never know how much they may have helped someone in helping them to have a safe, gentle birth.
I had my third homebirth in 1981 when I was 35 years old. Since then I have had 5 more births at home at the ages of 36, 38, 40, 42 and 44. My baby is now 5 months old. My labors and births have been straightforward without a complication to speak of. I have had no excessive postpartum bleeding. My midwife did not view me as a high risk for a home birth. The babies all were very healthy and strong.
But I must confess that sometimes I feel very tired, especially after I have to get up at night with the dog when she needs to go outside. ;) Getting up for my children doesn't bother me a bit. :)
I did a search on midirs regarding grand multiparity, and in my case great grand multiparity. The results I found stated that there is no increased risk with the condition of grand multiparity if the mother is well nourished and in good health.
Kathy
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