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Childbirth

ELCS or natural?

17 replies

Gooseygoosey12345 · 30/01/2017 23:16

So I have a heart condition which I'm currently dealing with without medication. If I overdo things I get very light headed and feel faint due to high pulse and low bp. Adrenaline makes it worse so I can't run, cycle etc anymore. I'm worried that natural birth may encounter problems due to this. I have a 6yo dd who was a natural birth but this was before the heart condition occurred. Wwyd?
Also, I'm wondering if anyone could share their cs experiences, what does the epidural feel like, how did you cope afterwards with healing/restricted movement?

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Sparrowlegs248 · 31/01/2017 03:44

Hi Goosey,

I have a similar problem though maybe a bit less of an issue than you. My heart and bp have a tendency to plummet causing me to pass out. It doesn't happen all that often unless I'm ill, and exercise doesn't seem to affect it though being too hot in our sauna of an office at work doesn't help.

I had no issues in this or my last pregnancy, in fact got high bp towards the end of each one.

What did happen though, was a bad reaction to my spinal for my elcs last time. Ds was breech hence the cs. The reaction Was expected though, (light headed, hot, vomiting) so I was given something to counter it straight away.

Wrt to c section. I had a really great experience! Walked into theatre, wheeled out with ds 40 minutes later. That included time for introductions, catheter, canula, spinal, vomiting etc. The longest part was stitching up I think.i was really anxious about the spinal but it was fine, worked very well in that I wasn't able to get up as soon as some.

The mw were a great help overnight passing ds to met feed etc.

Elcs at 12.35 lunchtime, was up and in shower the next morning. It was painful, don't get me wrong, but not as bad as I thought and there was significant improvement daily. The worst part was sitting up out of the armchair or getting in and out of bed. Back driving after four weeks with Gp approval.

I've had a hard time deciding what to do this time, and am going to try for natural purely because ds is only 18 months and recovery from.natural might be easier Wrt lifting him etc.

Goid luck!

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 31/01/2017 08:29

Thank you NottaLotta. That's really helpful! I'm going to see my midwife today so I'm definitely going to mention this to her. It's so hard to know what's best isn't it!

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DoctorMonty · 31/01/2017 23:11

Hi Goosey,
You should definitely mention it to your midwife and she'll probably want you to see a doctor... who will probably want to run some tests!
But in rough terms, a condition where your BP drops probably isn't too much of a problem for natural labour as your BP goes up at the end of pregnancy and with the challenge of labour too so this will make up for it. Might even be more of a problem with C/S as spinals and epidurals lower your BP.

There really aren't many health problems that require a C/S, usually only a few serious heart defects.

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Mungobungo · 31/01/2017 23:21

If you're considering a c section grab a copy of Casearean Section by Leigh East. It'll help you through the process of making a decision then preparing for the section, what a section is like and then tips for afterwards and recovery.

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 12:08

It's not the BP I'm worried about, that doesn't cause too many problems, it's the high heart rate that would cause problems. I was thinking at least a CS is more controlled and we can be prepared for anything that happens with the heart thing.
Thanks Mungo I'll give that a read!
I'm supposed to get an appointment with a cardiologist soon but haven't had a letter yet so hopefully I'll get that soon

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Sparrowlegs248 · 01/02/2017 13:51

Goosey I had my cardiology appointment on 13th Jan. End 2nd Feb. Chase them.if you're worried! I wasn't as recent pregnant was all fine.

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 15:40

I will do Notta, I'm only 16 weeks though, do you think they'll want to see me that early or wait til later?

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Sparrowlegs248 · 01/02/2017 15:51

When I eventually saw the consultant he said it should have been an urgent referral, but had gone through as standard. Lucky there were no problems! I was seen at 16 weeks last time. It's often just a precaution I think but better to be seen sooner.

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 16:29

Oh! Right I'll give them a ring tomorrow then and see what's going on. I had a locum midwife yesterday, mine must have been off sick or something, she wasn't very helpful so I'll chase it up. Thanks

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Bellabelloo · 01/02/2017 21:13

I have a heart condition and other factors that led me to having a c-section last week. It was a great experience. I was up and walking, lifting, feeding and changing my baby within 6 hours and out of hospital the next day. I had pain when I used my tummy muscles for a couple of days, but managed with paracetamol, but was fine walking around, looking after my baby etc, but on day 4 I was out, pushing the buggy, walking my dog with no pain at all. Today (one week on) I have hoovered, made beds etc with no pain. I was previously really worried about the recovery time. My sister had a similar experience.

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 21:18

That's really reassuring thank you Bella! I generally heal quickly too so that's good. I know it sounds stupid but I'm also worried about the numb feeling. I had dental work done and half of my face was numb and touching it made me feel really ill. It's such a minor thing to worry about but it really freaks me out!

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Cockadoodledooo · 01/02/2017 21:29

I've had an emergency and an elective section. Recovery from the elective was very swift and I was able to be looking after a 5 year old and newborn solo by 4 weeks, including driving (dh was working away).

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derryjojo · 01/02/2017 21:55

Goosey do you have pots? I do and had a natural birth in October. During labour my heart rate was 200+ which caused some distress. Make sure your midwife and consultant are aware of the problem.

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 22:15

That good to hear cockadoodledo! My oh will take 3 weeks off from work and my mum will be close. My dd is amazingly helpful and well behaved for a 6 yo thank god!
Derryjojo, I'm not sure what pots is? I've never been given a name for it, I don't think they're entirely sure themselves. My resting heart rate can be around 130 which is no fun, the midwife has referred me to another cardiologist so fingers crossed they'll be able to advise. Would you have had a c-section looking back or are you glad it was natural birth even with the issues?

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derryjojo · 01/02/2017 22:44

This is a link for pots
www.nhs.uk/Conditions/postural-tachycardia-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Prior to giving birth my cardiologist said that there should be no reason why I can't have a natural birth. When I was in labour though I had team of people around me to make sure everything was ok. I think when I actually gave birth there were ten people in the room. If I was going to do it again I would look into a elcs but I did get great care doing it "naturally" so I don't know

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 23:03

That's given me something to ask about then. Thanks for sharing your experience, I have no idea what I'll do at this stage but the more info I have the better Smile

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Gooseygoosey12345 · 01/02/2017 23:04

Ah looked at the pots link. Mine isn't postural, my heart just does whatever the eff it likes whenever it feels like it apparently!

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