I am trying to get pregnant

I got my pacemaker ICD in 2006 I am now 28 and trying to get pregnant my doc has not come across this before. Has anyone been through this. anything I need to do or look in to or any place I can find info? Thanks

4 Comments

Not Many

by pete - 2009-08-01 03:08:49

I do hope you have dicussed this with your doctors. You need to know the risks you are taking. As far as my memory holds I do remember reading about patients giving birth with an ICD. Each case is different and you must talk to your doctors. I dont suppose they will be keen on the idea but they probably wont try to stop you. Cheers Peter

FURTHER COMMENT

by pete - 2009-08-01 03:08:57

I looked further into this and I am pleased to be able to say the results are very encouraging. A recent study showed that you are at the mean age for ICD birth. You have a 50% chance of a cesarean . The study I looked at involved 10 ICD patient pegnancies. All went well. So I think you can go ahead after talking to your doctors. Good luck Cheers Peter

Preggers

by katiesheart - 2009-08-02 02:08:18

Hey,
I am 23 years old and I have had my pacemaker for a year and a half. I am also 5 months pregnant. I am not sure about the ICD details but here is what my cardiologist has told me: He has another patient who is 33 and has had all three kids since her pacemaker (not sure if it is a defib as well). That with propper monitoring there is no problems. He hasn't adjusted my settings and he just monitors me closely. My heart condition is vasovagal syncope where I pass out often. I just see a perinatologist (a doctor that is specialized in prenatal care and monitors all growth very closely) to make sure the baby is not affected.
Good Luck, Katie

Ah, babies!

by mango - 2009-08-19 10:08:56

I've had a pacemaker since I was a child and have 2 kids, both born past full term and wonderfully healthy. The only differences my pacemaker made were that I was monitored by both an OBGYN and my cardiologist throughout both pregnancies, and my cardiologist recommended that I manage labour pain with drugs during labour as needed, as opposed to trying to have a drug-free labour. It was her opinion that pain, rather than exertion, would put more stress on my heart, so orders were given to let me have drugs as soon as I wanted them. I still had 12-14 hour labours with both of them. They ended up in C-sections but not at all because of my pacemaker - the first was due to an infection I developed in labour, the second because the baby had the cord wrapped around her neck. Oh, the only other thing was that on the advice of my cardiologist I had the children at the hospital which has a specialized heart centre, not the children's hospital (we are lucky enough to have both where I live). Although my pacemaker is not an ICD, mine were both very successful birthing experiences. Best of luck!

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My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.