new mommy with a pace maker
I recently gave birth to my son Anthony. I went in to the hospital to deliver him but he left the hospital before I did, During my deliver my heart rate drop to 21 beats a minute. I almost die giving birth to him. I never thought that I was going to go through something so powerful. I just got out the hospital with a pace maker and I'm not sure what to do now. I'm getting depressed because I now realize that I would of die and I would of left my new baby and my two year old daughter without a mom. How can I cope with something like this? I'm now scare that something can go wrong with my pace maker and I could die. I know that this is not possible but no one knows what could happen. I hope and pray that I can overcome this feelings fast because I'm so scare of what could happen.
7 Comments
Welcome
by Jules - 2008-04-04 02:04:09
Hi welcome
I agree with the rest of the comments. I had my PM planted in January and was very depressed and my thoughts were very gloomy. Thanks to this site and all my postings I am now coming out the other side. If you have any questions to ask, go ahead, you will get some wonderful and helpful replies.
Take care, hope all goes well.
We all have obstacles
by gmnordy - 2008-04-04 02:04:36
When I was 24 and my son was just 3 I had a very agressive breast cancer. I had years of chemo and radiation. Every day I worried I might die and leave him without a mommy. But you just have to fight to get through these things. At least they found your problem and put the pacer in and now it will work to save your live. With regular check ups and healthy living, I think you will be glad they found your problem.
Good luck and congratulations on your new baby. Enjoy him!!!! They grow up fast.
Debbi
Oops!
by auntiesamm - 2008-04-04 10:04:16
I got a bit dyslexic in the 5th line from the bottom. It should read "your babes who really need...........
Another of those Senior Moments!
Sharon
Be thankful!
by auntiesamm - 2008-04-04 10:04:16
You can overcome some of your feelings by being thankful this happened when you were in the hospital where you got immediate attention! You delivered a wonderful, healthy baby. Imagine what could have happened if you were home with your new baby and 2 year old; the rate drops into the 20s, you pass out and drop your baby or your babes are left on their own until someone comes home. Or, you could have been driving your car and blacked out. There are so many reasons to be grateful things occurred in the order they did. I would say the Lord was really watching out for you and your babes really who need their mom around for a long time. You are in better health cardiac-wise now than you were before you delivered! It is easy for me to say this: but relax and enjoy those precious babies who are one of life's most wonderful gifts. You and your family will be in my prayers.
Sharon (So Calif)
Feelings normal
by Suze - 2008-04-04 10:04:28
Hi Josie,
First let me welcome you to this site. You will like it here.
Also, let me assure you that the worries you are having are perfectly normal. This is all still very new to you (having a piece of technology implanted) and of course it seems scary. I'll also bet that some of your depression could come from recently giving birth. You know...all those hormones.
Anyway, there are other young mothers with pacemakers on this forum who hopefully will give you some info and advice. And listen to Chrissie's advice regarding not being afraid to ask ANY question.
Again, welcome...and try to relax and enjoy those little ones!
Suze
fear
by luckyloo - 2008-04-05 03:04:47
dear josie,
i have been where you are at now. my children were 2 and 4 when i received my defib for long QT syndrome. i am bradycardic also so the pacemaker function is turned on. i was very, very scared too. i just prayed a lot...became closer to God. i also talk to a psychologist who specializes in chronic pain/illness. i've attended young ICD conferences too where i met many young men and women and heard their stories. it helps to talk to others in the same predicament face to face....share experiences. u of mich puts a young ICD conference on every year. i hear other teaching hospitals are starting to do them also. i don't know where you live but you could ask your pacemaker nurse or chexck with your EP dept. in time your fears should ease. i completely put my condition out of my mind...well..most of the time. remember, worrying is a waste of time. i have been told this countless times. people are right...why worry about something that may never happen or not happen for a long time. you have very little control of your destiny. enjoy your children, try to relax, know your device is there and will protect you. you have to have checks on your device a couple times a year. they'll catch if something is wrong. another thing for piece of mind would be to ask your EP for a script for a home defibrillator. most insurance companies will pay for you to have one with a script. they are $1500 otherwise.
what is wrong with your heart? what is your diagnosis?
luckyloo
You know you're wired when...
You have an excuse for gaining an extra ounce or two.
Member Quotes
A pacemaker suddenly quitting is no more likely to happen than you are to be struck by lightening.
life has surprizes
by winesap - 2008-04-04 01:04:37
I'm a recent grandfather - probably seems far removed from a new mom - but we share this device in our chest that is keeping our heart doing what it needs to do. I agree with Suze - your feelings are normal but because you have both post-partum and post PM emotions it will be especially hard to keep a positive perspective. Have patience, use this group for info and support. Try to find out a few detailsfrom your Dr regarding the need for your PM, for example what is your pacing percentage - that might help you come to terms. Also you need to find local support - is your family near, maybe a church or ... enjoy that baby