Is there anyone out there who has been pregnant/had a baby since getting their PM? My husband and I are thinking about starting a family in the next year or so and am wondering if there is anything I should know. Can there be any complications? Or is everything just like if I didn't have a pacemaker? Can you breast feed? Is there anything that I need to do before I get pregnant to get ready for?

Nikki

 

 

I had two babies after I got my pm. Easy! It depends why you need the pm, but just having it doesn't complicate anything. In my case my pm fixes my problem so I wasn't even considered high risk. I had a perfectly normal pregnancy and delivery, even did aerobics class right up until the week I delivered.

The only thing they did differently with me was put me on a heart monitor during delivery. I was told that if things got long and drawn out or my heart showed any signs of stress that there would be no discussion, I'd be headed straight for a c-section. But that didn't happen!

Yes you can breastfeed. My pm is behind the breast so they thought I might have problems with the scar tissue, but I didn't. I nursed my first until I got pregnant with the second, and my second until she was a year. My girls are 12 and 13 now.

Good luck!

 

I also had two children after I had a pacemaker. But my two were born in 1972 and 1977! I had very normal pregnancies and deliveries. The only thing that was out of the ordinary, was the nervousness of my doctors. I did have a cardiologist in the delivery room the first time, the second was just on call. I am sure with all the advances made now, as Tracey stated above Easy. When I had my children, pacemakers had only one rate, they were not able to change rate as needed as they are now and I still had no problems. Best of all two healthy babies as well. Now I am enjoying the grandma thing with both my children and it is great. Things for you to look forward to.
Blessings to you, and enjoy those little ones, they grow up so fast!
Leslie

 

I had my baby two years ago.... I am approaching six years with my PM. I was not considered high risk but my electrophysiologist wanted to be notified "the moment I found out that I was pregnant". (I told him that I was going to tell my husband first but he would be right up there! lol.)
I did have a few minor "issues" but nothing crazy. Since I had hyperemesis I wasn't able to keep my meds in. I also had a few moments when my PM wasn't "reading" correctly. I had to have some minor adjustments in settings made. At about 6 months my electrophysiologist expanded my range to prepare for delivery. I did have to see him a little more often but I did great.
I also did have a cardiac nurse present for my delivery since I had a c-section for a breech baby. Again, all precautions, nothing happened.
I have to give credit because my OB and EP doctor kept each other updated with my status and one knew they could call the other with questions about me if needed.
My husband and I are going for baby #2!!!! Good luck.