Pacemaker & Pregnancy

I am 24 years old and Im 16 wks pregnant. I was born with third degree heartblock and had my first pacemaker implanted at age 7. Im just wondering if anyone has had children who have a pm & if so, what complications did you encounter? Any adjustments that had to be made? My O.B. & my Cardiologist have both referred me to a specialty hospital bc neither one of them know what to expect.. (O.B. says c-section due to stress on the heart, while cardi. says natural will be fine. & ect. ect. ect.) I just had a new device implated two weeks ago, so we know it is strong and will withstand labor. Just curious what Im going to encounter over the next 6 months. Any input is appreciated.

2 Comments

delivery with av block

by Tracey_E - 2013-11-18 09:11:40

I have CCHB also. I was diagnosed at 5 but didn't get my first pm until I was 27. I was paced during both of my pregnancies.

Like you, none of my drs knew what to expect. My ob was overreacting, ready to send me to a high risk specialist and neonatal cardiologist and I forget what else! OB's know next to nothing about heart problems, esp a fairly rare problem like ours. They hear the word pacemaker and assume we are invalids. Which we most definitely are NOT!

My cardio talked him off the ledge, so to speak. He told the ob that the pm fixes my problem, to treat me like everyone else. The ob wasn't totally comfortable with that so the compromise was I was allowed a natural delivery but would be on a heart monitor and if my heart showed any signs of stress, it would be immediate c-section. I even was allowed to use the birthing suites rather than the main L/D floor, though it was attached to the big hospital with the advanced cardiac wing and level V nursery so it wouldn't have been much of a trip of something went wrong. Everything was fine! My babies are 15 and 16 now, teaching them to drive is much harder on my heart than carrying or delivering them was ;P

I was also cleared for exercise and did prenatal aerobics classes right up until I delivered both times. The pm had absolutely no effect on my pregnancies or deliveries. Focus on being a mommy, your heart is under control.

oh! If you end up on a cardiac monitor be prepared for an endless line of heads poking in the door to see where the pm spikes at the nurse's station are coming from. They don't see pm spikes very often!

Having children with pm

by LAB - 2013-11-19 04:11:07

I had my first pacemaker at age 13. And my first child at 17 with the pacemaker. My doctors were more nervous than me. I had a natural childbirth with NO complications, and a healthy baby. My second child was born 5 years later, again everything went great. I am now 60 years old, and still pacing right along. Enjoying grandchildren now. I had a complete heart block with no other problems. I have been very blessed and looking forward to 3 more years to celebrate 50 years with being paced. Other than new "batteries" and a couple of new lead wires through the years, I have never had any problems. My life has been wonderful. My two children are now 36 and 41! Wow! Time has gone my so quickly...enjoy your little one!!,
Leslie

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