Big Update....

[blackdreams]

Monday I went back to the Cardiologist. (3rd time now) My Mother drove from 2 hours away to go with my husband and I. It was, the hardest Doctor visit I've ever had

Comments

[blackdreams]

Well, the cardiologist is so new to me. Every time I have gone to Cardiology, I usually see nurses, ultrasound techs (for my Endocardiogram) Monday was the first time I saw the Cardiologist. And I only met with him so he could tell me my Endocardiogram results in person because I had abnormalities.
But, even if I see him a lot more, he's just not used to seeing people like me, as I mentioned. Seriously, that's part of the scariness of being there, I'm in the waiting room, and everyone in there is 70+ with very bad health. I FEEL so out of place. So the way I see it, is if I see him again, I will have to then go see my OB to "interpret" what it all means. Because the Cardiologist was kinda grim. Even when I was crying he didn't blink or skip a beat while talking. I think he's just used to having to be cold and to the point. Just spouting off facts, nothing more.

[blackdreams]

Also, how is your baby's heart now?

[sandokai]

(hugs) I hope everything goes wonderfully!
Often having the birth that doesn't go like you most wanted really does turn out okay and can have its own sort of beauty to it (though I understand how disappointing it can be too if you want the birth to go one way and the doctors or midwives are saying it should go another...)

[durtgurl]

Agreed. When I think back about my c-section I am actually thankful that I was able to know at 20 weeks that I'd be having one, as opposed to on the day of the birth, possibly after laboring and allowing my tumor to cause internal damage. My c-sect experience is sooo different than my friends who had to have emergency ones. The ability to know and plan and be ok with what happens is helpful. Take it easy and focus on how you can make things amazing given your situation... it is possible even if it isn't what you originally wanted.

[blackdreams]

That is a good point. At least I now have time to mentally prepare for what has to be done. And though I don't agree with inducing labor (had to do it as an emergency with my first) It is sort of nice to just know when I'm giving birth instead of all the waiting. Or worrying my water will break at an awful time/place!
I'm sorry to hear you had a tumor with yours. Was it pre-existing, or found while you were pregnant?

[durtgurl]

They found it while I was pregnant. I had it removed a year after birth (it was not malignant). But it was IN the birth canal and prevented labor entirely. My water broke at 35 weeks and I sat in the hospital for a week hoping some kind of labor would start (even with a c-sect, it's nice to have some labor-ready hormones and the like) but no dice. It was a stressful and complicated surgery combined with my epidural not taking well, but because it was all planned out and I was mentally ready, it was totally fine. I was able to negotiate things I wouldn't have in an emergency situation (music, having someone come in with me when my DH left with the baby, not having my arms strapped down, etc.). I had to fight for these things but with time and research on my side, I won them and my birth was something I have fond memories of despite not-so-great situations

[dreamsreflected]

I just went through a very medicalized pregnancy for some heart issues and severe high blood pressure. I really sympathize. The best thing I have to offer is make sure you and your OB and any other specialists you need to see are all in agreement about treatment plans and birth plans and the like. My birth went much better than I expected after 3 months of bedrest and what I was later told was nearly lethal levels of blood pressure medication. the pregnancy was not at all what I was hoping for but I got a beautiful reasonably healthy baby out of the deal so no regrets. focus on the positives, so far the baby is doing well and your body is coping with the stress at this point, that is great. The home care nurses who were assigned to me gave me the advice to take it one day at a time and consider every week an amazing accomplishment. good luck and so sorry to hear you`re going through it.

[blackdreams]

Ugh, 3 months of bed rest? What is bed rest anyway, do you literally have to just lay in bed for that long? I worry that topic will eventually come up for me as well.
You do have great advice at the end though. :) I'll take that to heart.

[telemicus]

FWIW, don't do the heart scan until after the birth -- satisfying Doctor's medical curiosity is not worth your baby. There are many blood tests they can do (no risk to baby) to determine heart functioning (triptonin level, for example) and possibilities of clots, like a d-dimer or coaguability work ups, which should include factor 8 levels. You can be on blood thinners (heparin based, like lovenox, NOT the pill form) while pregnant and this will make your heart have less work to do. Many of us on this list have had healthy normal pregnancies on low levels of lovenox.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you can get several second opinions *hugs*

[blackdreams]

Well, I don't plan to do the scan unless I'm told it'd be a good idea. Which, I was told they don't see me really needing it unless I have chest pains, and I haven't yet.
They did do blood tests, I find out what those mean on Monday. What are the other things you suggested? Can you explain? Do you work in the medical field? Just wondering how you know all this stuff.
I am back on my BP meds. Noe that you've mentioned though.

[rdfreak]

wow, what an emotional time you've just had. :(
I'm so glad though that your OB was able to give you better news.
Best of luck for the rest of the pregnancy and birth; keep us posted on everything. :)

[blackdreams]

Thank you!