stress / cardiologist / c-section?

Alliebooberz

I don't know how to make this not a long and rambly post.

I went to the OB yesterday and every impression I got from the ER dr on Saturday about me not worrying about my tachycardia and how it wouldn't have any effect on the rest of my pregnancy was completely smashed yesterday at my appointment.  My BP was higher than it's been my whole pregnancy and just out of the normal range (130 something over 80 something) and normally my bp is like 90/60ish pre pregnancy and about 110/70 during my whole pregnancy so far. 

OB was incredibly relieved to hear that my appointment with the cardiologist is today.  Every impression that I got from her with the scheduling of the growth ultrasound which I wasn't supposed to have at all and isn't standard practice for my OB's practice along with her telling me that my pregnancy should be at the bottom of my list of priorities... leads me to believe that she thinks what is going on with my heart has the potential to be life threatening and that if my pregnancy is aggravating this issue whatever it is that the best thing for me is to no longer be pregnant.  Thank God I'm 36 weeks. 

The other impression that I got was that laboring at all would be an increased risk of doing damage to my heart... which is an incredibly scary thought.  Of course, murphy's law is that what I wanted was a completely med free/intervention free birth... but now even laboring at all has the potential to damage my heart and I would rather have a c-section than not be around any more... so, yeah. Fun and scary stuff going on over here.

This morning I got a call from the cardiologist's office that the Dr I was scheduled to see has the flu but that they have another doctor that can see me today at the same time, which is totally fine so I'm going to do that.  I'm anxious and I'm afraid that there is something wrong with my heart.  I'm 26 years old... I just don't like the idea of facing something like that.

It's pretty sobering to have your OB tell you that your pregnancy is no longer on her list of concerns.  Baby is great, the 2 hours of monitoring over the weekend were great, he moves constantly and I'm guessing that this ultrasound next week is to determine when/how soon is safe to deliver him.  

The OB also told me that they are looking at me as a much more high risk patient now and I got the distinct impression that even if the cardiologist finds nothing to be amiss and diagnoses my tachycardia as a symptom of pregnancy that they will still be uncomfortable with me laboring on my own at home or for long. 

So long and rambly.  I'm stressed.  I don't even know what to think.  I guess we will find out if there is anything alarming going on today at the cardiologist.  OB said she thinks they will do another EKG (my first EKG at the hospital was normal just tachycardia-high/fast heart rate) and an echo cardiogram and  I might have to wear a heart monitor.

MeredithD

Good thoughts are with you Allie!I went thru something very similar...without the elevated bp...but it's super scary. You just have to remember that seeing the cardiologist is the smartest and best thing you can do!! Having an echo was exactly what I needed to help me get thru. Lucky for me, I'm just insane and it was my anxiety in overdrive, but the echo and the holter monitor let me know I was doing the right thing for me and LO! GL!!

mahtnamas23

OH NO ALLIE! I am so sorry you are having this going on. I am at a loss for words, you and LO will be in my thoughts and prayers. I know how much this pregnancy means to you and your DH. I hope the doctors find out what they need to know so they can fix the problem. Most importaint is to keep you and LO safe. We are here for you if you need to talk more about it. Good Luck today

Lanatir

Good luck Allie!    T&P!  Keep us updated!

Alliebooberz

MeredithD:

Good thoughts are with you Allie!I went thru something very similar...without the elevated bp...but it's super scary. You just have to remember that seeing the cardiologist is the smartest and best thing you can do!! Having an echo was exactly what I needed to help me get thru. Lucky for me, I'm just insane and it was my anxiety in overdrive, but the echo and the holter monitor let me know I was doing the right thing for me and LO! GL!!

 

Tell me more!! What ended up happening or what all were you concerned about that made you see a cardiologist? 

britglenn9

im sorry youre going through this. i had episodes of increased HR and have been on a beta blocker since 20 weeks. when i was in the hospital at 31 weeks with preterm labor my HR was actually always right around 130, stayed up next to the baby's. they documented this but werent too worried about it and didnt think it was a big problem, they say it will probably go away once preg is over because i have increased blood volume and my body is responding strange to pregnancy. i do not see a cardiologist consistently but i wore a 24 hr holter monitor and the cardiologist reviewed it and put me on the beta blocker. so you could just have an issue like me that is not such a big thing, maybe your dr just worries more. GL at the cardiologist though!! keep us posted.

psychgirl33

I'm sorry you have all that to worry about, Allie!  I hope that they don't find anything at the cardiologist.  Even though they will still treat you like a very high risk patient, which will be stressful for sure, at least I hope that they don't find anything wrong!  Big hugs.  You're in my thoughts.  Definitely update with what the cardiologist finds!

MeredithD

I was having crazy tachycardia! I felt like my heart was about to beat out of my chest and was so scared of the effect it was having on the pg. I have very high anxiety anyway and this was escalating it. My bp was never to high but I went to the ER twice to be monitored because I was so scared. They told me to follow up with my PCP and he set up the appt with the cardiologist for me. They did an echo (I'd had several ekgs that were all normal) to see the structure of my heart and it turned out ok. I wore the monitor for 7 days and have a follow up with the cardiologist in early March. Fortunately in my sitch, it really seems to be from my anxiety. But I'm telling you...you are doing all the right things!! Seeing your docs regularly and scheduling the cardiologist appt are the best things-they will make sure that you and LO get exactly what you need to get through this! And the fact that LO is doing so well is so great and such a good sign that you'll both get through a-ok!! You can pm me anytime you need to talk it out or vent or whatever!! It's scary and helps to know that others have been scared too!! GL!

Wifey1012

Take it one day & one appt at a time! GL