Ladies with Mitral Valve Prolapse

goldenleaves

I was just in the ER for mine. My resting HR is usually about 100, and goes up quickly with exertion. My BP is low, yesterday at the Dr. it was 102/52. My symptoms (palpitations, fatigue, dizziness) have seemed to increase during pregnancy.

I totally forgot to talk to my doctor about it yesterday, but have any of you heard how this may affect your labor and delivery?

My MIL seems to think they'll "watch me like a hawk" and will push for a c/s. I don't want a c/s, but obviously if I needed one for whatever reason I would be okay with it.

Any input??

?

lissah23

I can't say for myself, but my mom was definately watched like a hawk during both births - they also made her lay on her side in the dark through her whole labour (both times) to keep her BP low.  This was 26 years ago mind you.  But she delivered vaginally for both of us - c/s wasn't even discussed.

Ginkeez

I have mitral valve prolapse.  With my daughter I was treated just like any other woman giving birth.  They didn't watch me like a hawk.  I had to get an IV antiobiotic drip which makes you less mobile than other moms.  So you don't get to walk around and try to speed up labor without and IV in tow. 

That being said, I have never had issue with my Mitral Valve.  If they didn't occasionally find it and make me listen, I wouldn't believe that I have it at all.  Obviously, if you are having some problems with it, they are going to keep an eye on you a bit closer, and a lot of that may depend on your doctor.  A little extra attention never hurt :-)   

Ginkeez

Oh, and unless your heart really suffers from exertion, I can't imagine any doctor would push a C-section.  It wasn't even mentioned to me as being a possibility. 

brad&sara07

I have mvp along with several heart conditions and was able to have a normal delivery with my son 7 years ago.  The only difference was my OB required an IV antibiotic prior to delivery.  This time around the heart problems are worse, I see my cardiologist every month, am on two meds, and my OB still thinks I can have a normal birth.  I will just have extra monitoring on my hr and IV fluids to keep my bp up.  GL!

 

goldenleaves

Thank you for all of the responses! I'm going to talk about my concerns with my OB at my next visit and see what she has to say.