Apologies for the length, trying not to dripfeed.
I'm 32 weeks with my first and I've got a mild heart condition which means I have a fast pulse, fatigue and BP was low but has stabilised in the third trimester to normal. I've been signed off work since 28 weeks and advised to rest 3-4 hours a day.
Cardiologist is happy for me to give birth vaginally but says I would need continual monitoring and advises an epidural so I don't tire. However my research suggests that I would need to be lying on my back in a bed with the epidural/monitoring, and this leads to an increased chance of forceps/ventuouse/EMCS.
I'm terrified of instrumental delivery to the point of panic attacks. The Obstetrician has said I can have an ELCS but I'm confused as to which option is best- an ELCS is obviously surgery but can be planned and managed including the recovery. A vaginal birth would be a shorter recovery and better for baby but the chances of instrumental delivery are high and I'm terrified about it (history of sexual assault so have high levels of anxiety regarding vaginal delivery).
I'm not in the UK so a mobile epidural/monitoring device is not an option.
Any advice or thoughts?
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21 replies
Sparklyuggs · 02/06/2017 17:11
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