Finally got My echo results on my heart...

[missyk]

WELL KINDA anyway. I wish I could talk to my cardiologist instead of the nurse. You never get all the info from her and she can not explain it like he can.
She said that there was no valve issues, that was all okay.
When I was 5 years old I had two holes in my heart and had surgery to repair them. I did okay with my pg with Kaelyn and BEFORE we even tryed to get pg this time I went to see my cardiologist to MAKE COMPLETE sure that I was fine to be pg again. He did some testing and told me that my heart was fine! Well, now the nurse told me that he could not get a good evaluation of the atrial septal something or other but he thinks it is something to do with that. Like maybe my hole has reopened??? I dont know! SO she said that he believes I should not have much trouble with the pregnancy but after I have the baby he wants to do some kind of procedure where they put a tube down your throat to look at your heart. I didnt know you could see you heart like that, I thought that kinda stuff was done for your stomach??????
Anyway, what do you mean, he doesnt THINK i will have a problem!! I mean, they dont even really know what the issue is. And dont you think that my cardiologist should be confering with my ob doctor about my care? I am worryed about dying and my baby dying as well. Then I read that during delivery is a touchy time cause there are certain anistetics(sp) that cant be used on patients with supraventricular tachardia. (my racing heart beat) and certain meds you cant use if my blood pressure were to go up or down.. WHich it did when I had my c section with Kaelyn and she had to give me meds for it. There are certain antibiotics you cant take with digoxin (the heart med they have me on) and that as soon as the baby is born the rush of blood that goes up to the heart can be dangerous for me. I personally think my cardiologist should be at my delivery.
I think on MOnday I am going to call and make another appt with him to discuss all of this and what my echo really means. I mean, dont you think THEY should have already set me up with another appt with him to monitor me?? I am just so confused and very worried. I have a two year old and a baby that I am carrying, I dont want to die.
SO needless to say I am sure I will go to bed and lay awake like every other night. I dont sleep at all.
I did go the my ob appt today. But i didnt get to see my doctor cause she was in delivery so I had to see a nurse practioner. SHe told me she would tell my doctor all of this and they would call me on Monday.
Good thing is that so far baby seems to be doing okay. Heart rate of 160.
anyway, enough of this. I am just really scared.
Thanks for listening to me..

[grainne]

I second Melissa that you and your baby need your sleep. I know this is a very frightening time for you but look at it this way. If something terrible happens, it is devastating. Previous worrying about it will have no bearing on the outcome so we know for a fact that worrying is of no benefit. Someone said the other day something like "worrying is the equivalent of interest paid on a debt that is not even owed"
You need some grounding. Everything is OK. Trust that you will get the help you need. All is exactly as it should be.
Sometimes when I get ungrounded, I lie down on the floor and take very slow deep breaths.
I will be thinking of you tonight praying that you sleep.

Love Grainne

[grainne]

Oh and one more thing. There is a thread on the General pregnancy board posted by Mod-Elenita called 'Getting my head screwed on straight again' about her new doula. I have a doula and I highly recommend it. Just to keep you sane and grounded.

[little_roo]

Missy

I'm sorry you didn't get any definite answer. I think you should take the advice already given and see your cardiologist. You deserve to be able to your pg without worrying every second of the days. I'm sure you'll be just fine. Melissa and Grainne has said everything I would say, so try to relax and call your cardiologist as soon as possible to schedule the appointment.

[suzq515]

Oh Missy I am so sorry. Sending you giant hugs. What you are going through is so unfair. Hopefully, you'll be able to get an appointment with the cardiologist soon so all your questions will be answered. We are all here for you. Try to stay positive.

Sue

[Erin26]

Missy,
I wish you had gotten some more reassurance. I hate that you are so scared. I agree you should be see the cardiologist and get your questions answered. And what about a second opinion? Will your insurance cover that? Maybe talking to someone else would help. We're here for you!!

Love,
Erin

[homeschoolmom]

Missy, I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this! I completely understand your fear of dying and your baby dying. When I was 10wks. pg with my 4 yr. old dd, my dr found a lump just above my throat. I had to go see an ENT and I was so scared I had cancer and was going to die! The ENT told me she thought it was a birth defect and not cancer, but it needed to be checked into. She told me to come back in 4 wks. to see if it grew. Thank God it didn't, but I had 4 wks. of fearing the worst. I was still very young and soon to be the mommy of three little ones. I was so scared I wouldn't see them grow up!
I'm so glad that they have discovered what is going on with you and that it's something that can be controlled! I think you and your baby will be fine! I agree you should talk with your cardiologist and OB and get them working together. I also agree your cardiologist should be there when you deliver to make sure all is going okay. Do you have to have a section again? If so, I would think they can really plan out ahead of time what they need to do for you. If you are delivering vaginally, it might be good to have that same kind of plan written out, so you can give it to the hospital when you go into labor.
Again, I truly believe you and the baby are going to be okay, you just need to take it easy more and plan ahead more.
I do so know how hard it is to relax, as I'm struggling right now with that too, but it is what's best for you and the baby! The day I cried so much, my baby was very quiet and I had more BH contractions. It really made me realize how much my stressing was affecting him. We will both get through this!!

Blessings!
Michelle

[kathyd]

Oh Missy....I am sooo sorry that you are going through this! I just don't understand why doctors leave things like this to their nurses to explain. You have questions and you need answers....FROM YOUR DOCTOR! Let me know if you need me to come out there and kick some booty....cuz you know I will!

Please take care of yourself sweetie! You need lots of rest and you baby needs you to have as little stress in your life as possible.

My thoughts and prayers are with you!!

HUGS!

kath