The Business of Being Born Message Board

I am 14 weeks pregnant and very interested in a midwife assisted birth. I donated my left kidney to my sister last October. Can you tell me if this qualifies my pregnancy and birth as high risk? I am concerned that this eliminates the possibility of an out of hospital birth. If this is the case, are you aware of any hospitals in the Southern California area that permit midwives to deliver?

Thank you,
Lymaris

Lymaris — If your kidney function is normal with your one remaining kidney then you are not high risk based on that alone. If the rest of your medical history is fine then you could have a midwife birth. In our community I would back a midwife who wanted to assist you in a home birth or birthing center birth. If you wanted to be in a hospital setting you could have a midwife delivery with The Woman’s Place, Inc. in Camarillo at Pleasant Valley Hospital. I cannot speak for the ground rules of other hospitals like UCLA but I suspect they might also be accepting of your wishes. If you let me know where you live perhaps I could be of more help. ~Dr. Fischbein