Any mums with health problems ?

[Chickencrazy3356]

Hi all

I hope it’s ok for me to post on here as I’m not a mum yet but it’s something I’m anxious about. I’m getting married this year to my amazing partner and afterwards we’d like to try start a family. I’ve got a heart condition which I know may mean we can’t have a child and we both understand this and we’re ok if it doesn’t happen.

I wondered if any mums who have health problems could share their experience ? I’ve been told I will have to plan baby about a year in advance so doctors can decide if it’s safe to get pregnant. If I do I’ll have weekly scans with the last 2 months being admitted into hospital. I also will have to change all my medication before getting pregnant as non of them is safe in pregnancy. I’m not quite sure firstly how this would work with work. Some people’s heart apparently becomes much better during pregnancy but others get worse and need surgery during pregnancy but the part I’m nervous about is how did people manage when baby was born ?

My heart makes me absolutely shattered And out of breath plus tablets have horrible side effects. I’m really lucky my husband to be is so supportive and we live next door to my parents and my mum would help me of course my parents in law as just down the road too. At the moment this is all in theory I may not be deemed fit enough to have a baby and if I wouldn’t cope health wise when the baby is born then of course we wouldn’t have a child . I just would like to hear if any other people have gone through this, As it’s not something I’ve found any information about.

Thank you in advance

I can offer you my experience here!!! I have an arrhythmia and my meds got changed to pregnancy suitable ones. I did have a rough pregnancy as I developed pre eclampsia and Labour was a bit rough, I got induced, but all went well and I have a beautiful healthy baby now!!! It was worth everything though I did pretty much live at the hospital, had a few admissions and non stop appointments but I’m planning to have number two. I was minded but a full team including cardiology in a different hospital so it was quite full on as I had to see them separately, but it did work out ok. They did forceps with me as with my heart they didn’t want me pushing long. It might not be that way with you as everyone is individual and has their own plan made Especially for them but if I can answer any questions at all fire them at me!!!

Oh to add, I had non stop holter monitors and an echo ect through the pregnancy to make sure the new medication was working! I was put on labetalol and there was debate about metropolol (excuse the spelling) at the end of the pregnancy when I was starting to wane a bit!!!

Just to say also they made me see an Anesthetist A few months before I was due who insisted I get an epidural early on as pain can trigger arrhythmias! Not sure if that’s your issue, but just in case to let you know as I wasn’t aware!

Thank you so so much for your reply it’s made me feel much more confident and I’m so glad all went well and you have your baby and planning number two !!

Did you find being pregnant made you feel much worse ? I sometimes can’t even get up the stairs I feel so tired. I’m feeling a bit anxious about it all I’ve asked all these questions to my cardiologist but been told well it depends on this and this and this I can’t just get a straight answer. Did your arrhythmia get worse during pregnancy ? How did you cope in first few weeks after baby was born with lack of sleep/ tiredness? Would you say because of amount of hospital visits during pregnancy it can make holding down a job quite tough ?

I’ve got atrial ventricular septal defect which was repaired a few years ago but I’ve got a leaky valve, enlarged right side bottom and top of heart and atrial fibrillation

It was worse at the start of the pregnancy for sure, but interesting I only had a few flare ups at the end, it was a little messy as I had the pre eclampsia to contend with too and so that would have influenced the plans they had for me! With the pre eclampsia and heart mixed in they wanted to try vaginal with forceps which to be fair worked a treat as baby popped out after two goes with the forceps. I was allowed five minutes of pushing I think it was and no more! After baby came I still had issues with the pre eclampsia for a few weeks and that went, but I found the labetalol I was on really really helped with my arrhythmia even though cardiology said it wouldn’t work as well as my original beta blocker before the pregnancy, which I found the opposite I thought there was a great improvement in symptoms with it! My heart rate was a bit off in labour but they expected that and there was a plan in place, there is a lot they can do with you and the best advice I can give you is to make sure a plan is in place and you are happy with it before it’s go time! It sounds like they are on the ball though! If my heart was acting up badly I would have had to have had baby earlier but thankfully we got through a lot of the pregnancy. Baby was in icu a few days but don’t let that worry you as all worked out well and it was also in part to me having gestational diabetes and not being well with the pre eclampsia which kicked off big time and actually was a bigger issue than the heart for me! I too get breathless and tired so I know how frustrating it is, I had to sleep with five pillows in the end to stay upright for breathing but generally it was fine if I was upright! They wouldn’t let me exercise ect and I had to rest a lot at the end and after baby came! Job wise I was signed off sick early on so it didn’t really matter to me. But they have to accommodate your Appointments so you should be ok even if you are not signed off! Your cardiologist might insist you are though, mine did at about 16 weeks!my partner helped loads with night feeds and still does to make sure I get sleep, as this is a trigger for me! If you have support you will do great, I guess until you go through a pregnancy you don’t know how your body will react but a lot of the time they can make things work for you, like if you are unwell sign you off and increase meds ect! Once you have Cardiology’s blessing you should be all good though!

It may not be unreasonable to ask now for a referral to maternal medicine for counselling as to what to expect and to provide you with your own individualised information regarding risk. You’ll need to be managed by a multidisciplinary team.

The cardiac issues you describe are pretty complex and it is likely you will need to be managed from an obstetric perspective in a big Centre - I don’t know where you live, but this may not be your local hospital.

The impact of coronavirus has caused massive backlogs throughout all medical fields so if you are keen on starting a family soon, it would probably be sensible to start the ball rolling. I suspect routine waiting lists of over a year may become the norm, with even longer for specialist services.

I’m so sorry to hear you went through a tough time I can not imagine how scary that was, I’m so glad you and your baby was ok. Thank you so so much for sharing your story with me I’ve been worrying about this for about a year and within 15 minutes of reading your reply I felt so much better. It’s the best thing being able to speak to somebody whose been through this. It’s meant a lot to me and my other half and giving us great reassurance so thank you

I have never heard of this before I will certainly mention it as my next appointment thank you. I think a big problem is pregnancy has never really been mentioned unless I bring it up, I think because of been under my cardiac team from a young age they still treat me like I’m 16 and I think they forget I’m nearly 28. I might have to be a bit more forceful with getting the ball rolling so when we feel it’s time to start a family we’re in the best position possible

Ah lm so glad to be of help and I totally understand as it is a bit daunting, but honestly with the right team and advice things should be just fine for you guys! Ironically a lot of our hard time was more from the pre eclampsia, which can happen to anyone anyway! Having a baby was the best thing we ever did hands down and worth all of it! Really the main thing you can expect heart wise is a closer eye kept on you with extra appointments, not a bad thing and we got a scan every two weeks which was great! Then with the birth it likely will be more medically managed but I was happy out to be told I’d be given the epidural as I wanted one anyway! I have been told a section will be considered for the next baby but I don’t really mind as although I’m fully recovered from the forceps birth, the section might be a bit easier and quicker with less stress on me and baby. I guess time will tell and I’ll see what they think when the time comes and decide the game plan then! I wish you all the best and If you think of any more questions just ask!❤️

@Chickencrazy3356 I had lots of concerns about being pregnant with a heart condition and coming off my meds. I know we don’t have the same condition but I’m 17 weeks tomorrow and had a positive experience so far. I’ve stopped taking my tablets completely and surprisingly feeling okay. The extra care you get from consultants is great, especially since there’s reduced midwife appointments at the moment. The consultant arranged an echocardiogram within days and was told if my heart had no changes I would be able to have a natural birth, sonographer said heart is fine so I’m just waiting for my consultant appointment to talk things through. Good luck with your pregnancy.