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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

First time prgnancy worries

24 replies

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 13:14

Hi All,
I have posted on here acouple of times and had some excellent advice, so I thought I would give it another go.

I am now 16 weeks pregnant and I am experiencing terrible chest pains with pains running down my left arm, also I feel that it is quite difficult to breath sometimes, like my chest is really tight. At first I thought that maybe it is the inevitable breast growing that takes place when preggers!!!! But it has steadily got worse over a couple of days.

I dont know if this is normal to feel these type of pains in pregnancy, so any advice would be very welcomed.

I also feel that I need to let you know that I have a congenital heart defect, which I must admit has never really bothered me before, but now I am wondering if it has something to do with that and the extra strain that pregnancy puts on your heart.

I told my mw about it on monday when she came round to my house to take blood from me, and she kind of just dismissed my concerns that it was 'probably nothing to worry about'. My mw doesn't seem to be too interested at any time tbh. But I dont quite know what to make of it.

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Nbg · 31/05/2007 13:16

I think you need to see your gp.
Have you seen a consultant at all in this pregnancy?

luciemule · 31/05/2007 13:17

Not meaning to scare you but I'd go straight to your GP. Pain in your chest and left arm isn't good even if you're not pregnant and something like that should not be dismissed/ignored as MW did.
It could be something really minor like lying funnily in bed or that you've pulled an intercostal chest muscle but definitely check it out asap.

hippmummy · 31/05/2007 13:18

VickyLou,

See your GP, I don't want to worry you but chest pains with arm pains doesn't sound normal for pregnancy. Given your heart problem it's best to be on the safe side.

Good luck x

luciemule · 31/05/2007 13:20

Forgot to say, I had a flow murmur picked in my heart during labour so it's always worth getting stuff checked out as often, it's easier to spot things to do with your heart when you're pg.

luciemule · 31/05/2007 13:21

sorry - didn't realise you had a heart problem already.

Original poster

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 13:25

WOW, thank you all so much for getting bakc to me so quickly, this is why I love MN.

I gonna ring my GP now and see if I can make an appointment for as soon as poss.

Before I was preggers, I did get quite a lot of chest pain but the ecg and exreays alll came back ok, so prob why I am not worring too much.

Other than the chest pain I feel fine though, nothing else to worry about.

Again thank you all so much for getting back to me so quickly.

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Nbg · 31/05/2007 13:35

Usually if you have an exsisting health concern, you are given an appt to see a consultant at your hospital. Its normally around your 12 week scan.
They will then discuss what problems you have and whether they would like you to stay under consultant care or if you can go back under the MW's.

I would have said that its the pressure of baby growing and everything becoming more cramped that could be putting strain on things.

I have a duplex kidney and although it doesnt cause me problems anymore, they always get me in with a consultant to begin with. They have all told me about the pressure etc.

Original poster

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 13:41

Hi NBG,
Yep I saw a consultant at my first scan (I was nearly 14 weeks) he said about anitbiotics when I am in labour, but nothing else. Have made appointment with GP for next monday and will go through it all then with him. I am lucky cos although my MW doen't seem too bothered, my GP is excellent.

So do you get extra care because of your kidney problem, or are they just aware of it in case it begins to pose a problem?

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Nbg · 31/05/2007 14:36

They are aware of it obviously as it is on my medical notes.
However this pregnancy I cancelled my appt because I knew what they would say

birdseed · 31/05/2007 15:39

VickyLou, If you can't get an appointement with your GP today then go to A&E. Chest pain like you describe is worth an ECG (heart tracing) to check things out at the very least. Some GPs have a machine, but others don't but all A&E departments will and will do one for you if you go in with chest pain.
Let us know how you get on.

birdseed · 31/05/2007 15:41

Have just read your post below. Don't wait until monday, if it is getting worse. Go and get it checked out in A&E today and then you can hopefully put your mind at rest, or if not then get appropriate treatment.

you have 1/3 more blood going round your body in pregnancy and that and carrying the extra weight is more work for your heart.

Original poster

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 15:48

Hi Birdseed,
Thank you, do you really think I should go to A&E even though I feel ok in myself. Just the chest pain???

I dont know what to do, sounds like I should be more worried.

I'm gonna see if I can get off work early and maybe pop over to A&E on the way home.

Thank you again.
I'll keep you posted.

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birdseed · 31/05/2007 15:54

Yes, I do think that you should go if you have chest pain. Just tell them that you have chest pain going down left arm, congenital heart defect and are pregnant. If you get any reasonable doc/nurse they should take you seriously and at least do an ECG.

It may be just related to breasts as you say, but with the left arm pain and your cardiac history I would recommend being cautious.

A&E departments now have targets that mean that they should see you and discharge or admit you within 4 hours, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long.

Also if you tell them that you have chest pain (don't try and make nothing of it by immediately telling them that you feel fine etc - they can ask about that later) you should get an ECG soon after arriving.

I don't think you should panic...really wouldn't help! But I do think that you should go.

Princesspowersparkle · 31/05/2007 16:00

I agree- please go and get checked out.
x

Original poster

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 16:02

Hi Birdseed,
My manager has said I can go early, but I cant get a hold of dh to pick me up, I dont drive and his phones not on!!
So I am gonna have to wait till work finishes anyway before I can go, but I will as soon as I finish.

Thankyou.

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Original poster

VickyLou · 31/05/2007 16:03

THANK YOU all again for you excellent advice. I really appreciate it.

Vicky
XX

OP posts:

birdseed · 31/05/2007 16:04

don't forget to log on tomorrow and let us know how things went.

Gemtubbs · 31/05/2007 20:44

Hi VickyLou! I'm glad that you're going to see a doctor about your concerns. I hope everything goes well for you and that you're both ok. Love Gem.xXx

Nbg · 01/06/2007 07:20

How did you get on VL?

Hope your ok.

Original poster

VickyLou · 01/06/2007 08:54

Thanks Gem Tubs.

Hi Nbg,
Went to my mums after work as still could not get hold of dh (But thats another thread in the waiting) My db took me to the A&E dept at our local hospital and as you said they did see me pretty much as soon as I walked in the door.
I had and ECG, and she said that my heart was a little fast but other than that everything looked fine. She took my BP which was apparently quite high, but that probably had something to do with dh
I'm booked in for an sonogram on my heart, I have had many of these but wasn't due for another one for a couple of years!!
The doc said that if the pain gets any worse and I experience any other probs re chest to come straight back to A&E.

But essentially everything looked ok and they said it was more likely that the pregnancy was putting more of strain on my heart than normal, hence the fast heartbeat.

Thank you all so much for all of your concerns and advice it is really appreciated.
XXXXXX

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Nbg · 01/06/2007 08:57

Oh good. Well you must have felt reassured for going.

I know when I was having my ds, I had about a dozen false labour starts and everytime I went into hospital, I'd get really anxious so my BP and Heartbeat were sky high lol.

Original poster

VickyLou · 01/06/2007 09:06

Yep I felt much better for going and also knowing that I wasn't putting them out so that if I need to go again I can.

False labour starts are bound to get your bp up, esp when you are ready to just give birth!!!!

Ta chuck it made me feel so much better being able to talk about it, without being dissmissed as dh does at the mo.

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birdseed · 01/06/2007 13:49

Nice one vickylou.
Glad you went and glad that they were able to check things out and reassure you.

seamonster · 01/06/2007 13:52

I popped in and out yesterday and I'm glad to see things are ok with you. I'm glad you were reassured by the staff as that will help you feel less awkward should you need to go back.
Good luck and keep us posted

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