Pregnancy with a Pacemaker

J.,

I use to work in the pacemaker industry and now I am "retired" with a 21 month yr old daugher and pregnant again. Here are my pieces of advice:
- I wouldn't rule out the possibility of another baby, but I would try to make sure you were healthy enough first.
- If your cardiologist is unable to keep helping you or recommends no second baby, I would definitely get a second or third opinion from another cardiologist.
- Pacemakers are very complex to set and the people working with you have various abilities and knowledge about them. Be aware of WHO is checking your pacemaker when you go into the doctor. It is probably either a nurse, a person from the pacemaker company, or the cardiologist. Each of these people could have a different skill level in setting the pacemaker SPECIFICALLY for your condition. Small changes in the pacemaker could have a BIG effect on your lifestyle. At your next check-up I would ask some probing questions about getting the best expert you can to set your device and make sure your cardiologist ultimately reviews your settings.

- With my knowlede of the pacemaker, I know it could be set a specific way to keep your heart rate high during preganncy. The doctor may not want to set it this way on a normal basis for you because it could waist the battery, but setting it a certain way for only 10 months is worth a little extra battery if it keeps you from fainting when pregnant. I would ask your doctor this specific question: "If I got pregnant, would setting my Base Rate at something like 70bpm and turning on Rate Responsive pacing, keep me from fainting during the pregnancy?" If there are other root causes, besides just the heart rate going down, this may not help, but it is worth a try to ask.

I hope this helps.

Don't have another baby, honey. Adopt one, or have a surrogate carry yours, but it sounds like it is far too risky for you to have another baby yourself. When you faint, that means blood and oxygen are not reaching your brain. What do you think is happening to your baby and his brain? It cannot be a good thing for mother or child. And, clearly, you cannot go off the medication while pregnant. Unless your condition resolves, and resolves without you having to be on medication, then I cannot imagine any sensible doctor would encourage you to have a baby. You are a mother. There is a little boy who needs you whole and healthy. A sick, fainting, exhausted, worried pregnant mom is probably not the best thing for him. Prioritize the child you have.

Have you talked to your Dr's about your concerns? Taht is what i would recomend.

J.,

I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you. I do wish you luck!!!

K.

You have a wonderful Baby and husband that needs YOU to be HIS mom MORE than a sibling. Take the meds and whatever else you need to do to be that baby's mom. If you and your husband really need and I do mean NEED to expand the family adopt. Your health means more to them Husband and baby than adding on.

I know this means changing the plans you dreamed of having a house full of kids, but what good is a house full of kids if mom isn't there, mom can't do things because she taxed her heart.

Being there for yur two fellas is much more important than having another baby. Your family is great just as it is. save your health so you can enjoy what yu have.

I'm am married to a man that lost his first wife after having heart problems with her first and ONLY pregnancy, they added on to the family through adoption, greatest kids I know, they would be they had a great mom, who lost the battle when they were teens, but they have the memeory of mom and all she did, because she always did the best she could to stay around for as long as she could because she knew they needed her.

so do what the doctors say. take the medications, be here for your family, they deserve it and you made that promise to yur husband and then your baby.

I can see a person risking her life for a first child, but afterwards, you don't have the right. You are committed to raising that toddler you have. Believe me, I have seen men attempt to raise kids without the mother and the nurturing is not the same. Try adoption or surrogacy or get satisfied with one child and thank God for being able to have him. Look at all the people with fertility issues who would be so satisfied to have that one child.

Hi J.,
As you already know, pregnancy takes a toll on your body. You are never the same again after having a baby, not only because you have a wonderful little being to care for but also the changes you endure emotionally and mentally as well as physically. You need to take some time out for yourself and your body to get back to "normal" and sometimes that may take a while due to some health issues that you may have encountered during your previous pregnancy. Having another baby comes with lots more responsibilities, which I'm sure you're already aware of...especially under the age of 4. Talk to your Cardiologist about your wanting another one soon and see what he says. You have only one life and one heart and you are important to your husband and your son so don't take a chance with your health and well-being. Enjoy what you have right now and take care of yourself. Being a mom is the hardest job! - B.

Hi J.,
I don't know much about pacemakers but I do know about passing out while pregnant. When I was pregnant with my 8 year old I would pass out everyday and the same thing happened with not getting enough oxygen and with bp dropping. After my son was born nothing changed and my dr had my throid checked as it turned out I had a thyroid problem that was the underlying cause. You may have your dr check that. Now that my thyroid is taken care of my second pregnancy went well. The best of luck to you and your family. My prayers shall be with you.
Josie

I am so sorry that you are going through such a tough time. The challenges of parenting -often from the moment of conception - are something that nobody without children could ever comprehend!

I do believe that you owe it to yourself to seek some alternative health advice. In the west we have been raised to put blind trust in the health professionals around us and in doing so often forget that to a great extent our health lies in our own hands. As a mother this responsibility is even greater for not only is it so much more difficult to parent when we are not well but also the way we handle our own health will serve as a role model for how your children will handle theirs.

There are some amazing alternative practices out there from straight nutritionists to acupuncturists and homeopaths and just as with regular doctors you will find good and bad ones. However just getting a more "holistic" picture of what is going on in your body might be incredibly empowering when you find that that there are more options available to you than you ever realised. Take the opportunity to do a bit more research and ask around for local recommendations of complimentary practices. I am not saying do not follow the guidance of your doctor but be open to enhancing his specialised diagnosis with a broader health view.

I wish you the best of luck and much health!

Hi J.,

I'm a mom of 2 and expecting my 3rd. I am also a nurse. Pregnancy is not always that easy for the most of us. I was not planning of having another baby because of my history. I almost lost my babies during delivery and put myself in jeopardy, but because this is my 2nd marriage & my husband's first I decided to give it another try. Its hard to be pregnant I know my first 2 were premature babies. Having a baby is great but you also need to think very hard about what could happen if you do. It sounds like you have a lot of things going on..pacemaker and endometriosis. Thats a lot of stress in your body. Are you willing to sacrifice? Is it all worth it. Remember, you have a 15 month old son who depends on you. I think you should consult with your cardiologist. In my opinion, I think you should just enjoy your son and husband. Enjoy every minute of it. Kids need every attention and TLC they can get because they do grow fast.

With all due respect to Western medicine, I would advise to see a naturopathic doctor or a MD who is educated about alternative medicine in regards to your endometriosis. This condition is caused by environmental toxins and the only way to get rid of it is through detox and supplementation of essential fatty acids and other nutrients. This also could be connected to your passing out. If you need referrals email me
____@____.com
mother/author
www.victoryoveradhd.com

Definitely something to discuss with your doctor, but IMO you have too many risks for yourself and baby to attempt a pregnancy. Why not consider adoption? I know sometimes you feel it is not the same, but you would be amazed how close you can become to a child you did not conceive. We were just discussing adoption in our family after 8 years of trying for a baby of our own before she came along. It is a tough decision, but it just sounds like your pregnancy would be risky.

Best of luck.
C.

I don't know your exact situation (they are all different even if similar) but I went through a lot of the same things. We were working with our IVF doctor to get pregnant and I was having trouble with dizzyness and fainting. Come to find out that I have a heart block which causes my ventricals to beat irregularly (not at all sometimes). THis was causing my heartrate to slow into the 30's which causes the BP drop and dizzyness/fainting. I got a pacemaker and it has helped me tremendously (this is where we differ). We discussed the possiblility of pregnancy after the pacemaker and were assured that it was under control so we could continue. But - mine was completely controlled by the pacemaker - no more fainting. We just decided that the risk to me was not worth it going through more IVF (which we didn't know if it would work with my medical history - endo and scar tissue) and we decided to adopt. We now have a beautiful 8 month old girl who we adopted at birth domestically and we could not be happier. Have you ever considered adoption? I don't know if I really have much to tell you by way of advice - just get all the facts and make an informed decision for you, your husband and your son.

First of all, let me say how sorry I am that you are having health problems. From your letter, it sounds like you really enjoy your baby. Congratulations on being a first time mom...there is nothing like being a mom, that is for sure. Every experience with your child, positive or negative, is a miracle not to be taken for granted. Maybe I am being selfish, but I am concerned for your health and safety. I think you should continue to follow the advice of your doctors and become stable on medications for a time period specified by them before you even consider having another child. The reason I say this is not to be mean or cruel. You have to look at it this way. You are a stay at home mom. If your health would deteriorate, you would not be able to care for and enjoy the child you already have, much less your future children. You need to take some time to take care of you. You are the only mom that your child has, and if something unanticipated happens, then your husband and possibly other people have to step in and take over your role as mom. Do whatever you can to preserve your health. Once your health stabilizes, then, you can think about having another child. It is not selfish of you to take care of you. Being a mom is a big job. Having health limitations makes it even harder. I think in this situation, the first consideration should be your health. That is just how I feel. I hope this helps you in some way. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.