High heart rate during labour/after labour. Not allowed home

[mzlk]

Hi all

ive just had my second m baby today, in the afternoon.

although it was quick, my heart rate was high during and still is now (12 hours later)
it’s a lot less now, but still 100-120
im told I won’t be allowed to leave until this comes down and have been super anxious and upset since finding this out.

I know they’re just looking after me but when they even mention observations now, I panic instantly and feel my heart race.

has anybody dealt with this? I really want to calm down but keep thinking I will die bc of some kind of heart issue.

I want to go home to my daughter who is 2.5 and I’ve never been away from her this long. I just want to go and rest.

I’ve had no sleep since 6:30am yesterday. Barely any food and drink. This is all because I’m at the hospital. I know myself.

I cant offer any useful advice but wanted to call in to say hello in the early hours so you know there's someone aeake with you X

Congratulations on your new baby! It sounds frankly awful to be stuck in hospital and being aeay from your daughter. I hope you feel better quickly.

Hi Op, I’ve not had this experience specifically - but you do know you can discharge yourself against medical advice? I’m not saying whether or not you should do this but it is an option. Particularly if you feel the high heart rate is anxiety led.

OP

I used to work in cardiology.

Pregnancy / child birth can trigger problems with your heart so they are being cautious.

Have you told them about you can feel your heart speed up? It might be worth them putting you on a monitor or giving you a 24 hour tape.

I know you want to be home but it really is something they have to be careful with.

Try some 'square breathing'.

Imagine a square - you can actually draw one, on top and bottom breath in and on the sides breath out, slowly. Each breath in and out should take about a second.

@sashh thank you for your reply

it was at its worst straight after, an hour after I gave birth when I’d gotten up to shower and found it hard to breathe/could feel my heart racing
after that it continued but on a milder level e.g could go to the bathroom but pulling my pants up would make my heart race a bit. But now 12 hours later I’m finally eating and drinking (couldn’t make myself eat or drink for hours after) and feeling like it’s settling, I feel like I can do things without feeling like I’ve ran a marathon.
But worried about observations still.

Tell them how you feel. It sounds like things are settling down.

Aren't our bodies amazing?

And how is your new baby?

Yeah I really hope so.
I csn feel myself getting scared/anxious if I hear them coming into the ward. Lol feels like this is just going to round in circles!

baby is fine! Cluster fed pretty much all night so far so I’ve not slept since 6:30am yesterday so I feel like a zombie atm!

I imagine with any issues it’s just stranded to keep you in overnight, and they will assess again in the morning.

fyi I had Ds overseas ( only 2 years ago), and it’s still standard to stay 5-7 days afterwards. They only reluctantly let us leave after 48hrs due to it being right at the start of covid and they only allowed every room to be private, and that I had a private midwife booked for daily checks at home (also standard and covered by healthcare).

In those 48hrs and when home
my heart rate and other checks were done daily

Please please try to relax. You are in the best place at the moment. Reframe this in your head from 'I want to leave'. To something more positive. 'I can just sit and cuddle baby today'. I'm sure your daughter is with someone who loves her. It's more important you just rest than rush home and potentially be unwell when you get home. That will be more distressing for you all.

What time is breakfast? Have you had a nice cup of tea this morning? Is someone coming to see you later? Can they cuddle baby while you get a bit of sleep?

Good luck.

I sympathise as I had this after minor foot surgery and I knew it was white coat syndrome so I self discharged with a HR of 130. However the pp is correct about pregnancy/Labour can sometimes bring cardiac issues to the front so if I’d had a baby I’d stay until they were happy. Have they done an ecg? Someone will let you home soon even if they have to get you seen by a medical doctor/cardiologist . Congratulations.

I was allowed home the next day as heart rate had started to come down.

However, it’s triggered my health anxiety now… and keep wondering if my heart is working as it should be.
Not sure if it’s the postpartum hormones but I feel so anxious about it.

OP

Thanks for coming back, glad you are home.

Try not to be anxious - I know it's not an easy thing to do, but they were keeping you in 'just in case', and that 'just in case' hasn't happened.

Enjoy your Xmas with your children.