Wolff Parkinson White syndrome

[nov75]

I was diagnosed with this condition as a teenager and had catheter ablation surgery to prevent tachycardia episodes (pulse would regulary shoot up to 150+ beats per min). I am now 31 weeks pregnant and a little concerned that my condition will cause complications during delivery. I have yet to discuss delivery options with my consultant and don't want to have a c- section if it's not really necessary as I hate being laid up and in hospital. However, if it's safer then of course I will ask for one. Does anyone gave any experience of his condition? I have had a few minor palpitations in the last few weeks but I am not anaemic and in otherwise good health. I am terrified labour will bring on tachycardia and the baby may become distressed.

Not personally and I have no idea how it would affect pg and childbirth, but my FIL and DH have WPW and I always get utterly blank looks from MWs and consultant obstetricians when it comes up in "family history" stuff... so just to warn you an obstetrician might not have enough specialist knowledge to advise, you might need to push for them to liaise with a cardiac specialist etc.

Hope it turns out ok for you.

Thanks. I have had a few MW's and only my community MW knew what it was. My consultant has been very good and sees me once a month and I have seen a cardiac registrar after an ECG which was fine. However, just want reassurance from someone who has given birth that my baby will be fine. I am afraid to ask for a c section if it's not necessary and don't want to go through a natural birth if the medical team are not fully aware of WPW!

Hey. My DH has it and he says that your birthing team (mw, obs etc) may well have no idea how it affects you as its reasonably rare, so prepare yourself for that (maybe even take a photocopy from a medical textbook/wikipedia with you to the birth?)

As for your palpitations, are you sure they are WPW related? Only we were under the impression that a catheter ablation completely solved the problem? DH has never been offered any treatment as he has never had symptoms but he thought that if he ever did have surgery then that would heal it. Annoying to think that it doesn't.

That's it as far as our knowledge goes. I wouldn't have thought that giving birth would be too much of a problem (DH has run several half marathons without any issues) but I'm no expert and I guess it affects different people differently.

Good luck! Hope the birth goes well :)

I don't have WPW but I do have occasional SVT and have had 2 kids already, labour did not bring on the SVT in eithe case. in my second pg they put me under consultant care which was totally pointless as there was nothing they could/would do about it.

do you have any specific triggers for palpitations? do you still have serious episodes of palpitations since surgery? WHat normally happens - do they resolve on their own?

there is a manoevre you can do to stop the palpitations, do you know this? Carotid massage can also work (the latter not recommended by HCPs unless you are in hospital/being monitored anyway.

The ablation surgery was successful as I have had no further episodes that required any medical treatment and have felt fine heart wise until getting pregnant. I have put this down to normal pregnancy but was just wondering whether there was anyone out there who has been or is in a similar position as most people are unaware of this condition. Another concern I have is the fact that my grandmother died at 43 from heart disease and my dad had a massive heart attack at 32 and also appeared to have WPW. This was never confirmed before he also died a few years ago.

Hi nov75
I just thought i'd pop on to let you know my mum has WPW. I am one of three girls and as far as i know my mum had no complications during labour. She was not allowed to go over her due dates with me or younger sister(as she had a lot of threatened miscarrages with me - DD2, although i dont think that was cos of WPW).

Good luck with your pregnancy . If you want to know anythink specific i am happy to ask my mum and get back to you (provided i am not in labour - 40wks +4days)