Am I really suitable for natural labor?

[Alizeex]

I've been experiencing racing heart and shortness of breath for almost 5 months now. I don't even walk (only have about 1200 steps per day). Whenever I stand up and walk around, my heart rate can reach 120-130 (whilst I only have about 70-90 pre-pregnancy). Same when I have meals or talk with others, my heart rate can go up to 110-130. So I feel very reluctant to move around or speak. I'm now 38wks+4days, I'm really concerned about a natural delivery/ afraid of it will cause my heart failure😖 Doctor has ruled out Echo for me which shows my heart is normal though. MW and medicine clinician does not have any concerns about me, even though I still feel rubbish everyday.
I heard other mums say "oh when contraction starts you will feel worse because of the pain and anxiety. you will be very difficult to breathe!" OMG it scares me a lot and I'm having nightmares with it now . Only a week to go, shall I request a C section or induction with epidural? This is my second pregnancy, but I don't have heart problem with my first one (also, induced/ no pain). I don't have confidence for a natural delivery as I can imagine I would get out of breath during early stage contractions, how can I get through it to push the baby out😩
Does anyone has the same experience or any comforting words so give me some confidence😞

No experience/medical knowledge but having had 2 natural births I would say it is definitely worth practicing some breathing techniques in advance to help. I did daisy birthing and it's a bit late for that now at your stage but maybe look on YouTube to see if there are any videos with breathing techniques for labour? It really helped me with the pain and helped me feel in control and in the zone. Obviously though you know your body best and if you are concerned about heart failure it is worth pressing the midwives etc for extra monitoring at least?

I would trust the medical people. I'm sure you'll be fine.
Practice breathing and meditation and relaxation etc in the meantime.

I would be concerned too.
So they probably tested your heart rate with you lying on a bed?
You need to push for heart rate monitoring when you’re walking as that is when it increases to above normal threshold. The kind of test they do on a treadmill.

You can request an epidural- I would based on your level of anxiety alone.

Have you had your iron and ferritin checked? Can cause raised heart rate/dizziness and low levels v common in pregnancy.

@Jujujuly

Have you had your iron and ferritin checked? Can cause raised heart rate/dizziness and low levels v common in pregnancy.

they said it's within the normal range. But I do feel a little bit better when I have a good portion of red meat.

@PlanDeRaccordement

I would be concerned too. So they probably tested your heart rate with you lying on a bed? You need to push for heart rate monitoring when you’re walking as that is when it increases to above normal threshold. The kind of test they do on a treadmill.

lying in bed seems the only way to do echo I think? I wore a 24hrs monitor a couple of days ago, but I felt so dizzy on that day, and spent most of time in bed...I'm afraid it didn't pick up high readings :(

@MrsFin

I would trust the medical people. I'm sure you'll be fine. Practice breathing and meditation and relaxation etc in the meantime.

Thank you MrsFin. I wanted to trust them too...but still doubt my body as the symptoms persist. I'll start practicing breathing techniques now, hopefully not too late.

@eatthepineapple

No experience/medical knowledge but having had 2 natural births I would say it is definitely worth practicing some breathing techniques in advance to help. I did daisy birthing and it's a bit late for that now at your stage but maybe look on YouTube to see if there are any videos with breathing techniques for labour? It really helped me with the pain and helped me feel in control and in the zone. Obviously though you know your body best and if you are concerned about heart failure it is worth pressing the midwives etc for extra monitoring at least?

Hope I could as smooth as your... I've been discussing this issue with them five months ago at every appointment...they seems just rely on the tests results: bloods, heart scan, blood pressure, urine etc. they said "within normal range, you will be fine!" 😣 I'll ring them next week again to see alternative methods for delivery though

I wore a 24hrs monitor a couple of days ago, but I felt so dizzy on that day, and spent most of time in bed...I'm afraid it didn't pick up high readings
Did you tell them? Can you ask for it to be redone and make effort to log when you are in bed and when you are not/what you’re doing?

@WheelieBinPrincess

You can request an epidural- I would based on your level of anxiety alone.

I second this. It lowers BP and you'll be able to rest physically and mentally.

Deep breaths with the gas and air to hit the contraction at the right time (you'll know when the right time is). Try breathing techniques as others say and move around (if you can).
Breathing techniques didn't work for me but only because they make me dizzy generally. I had continuous monitoring so couldn't move around. Epidural made everything great, took the pain and stress away and I was so relaxed I fell asleep.