My first ob/gyn appt. today!

I had my first appointment and it was.... interesting! They brought it forward a week, and changed everyone else's schedules to bring me in early which freaked me out a little...

I'm seeing a high risk ob/gyn because I have an aortic aneurysm, and my dad and aunt died at 28 and 24 from the same thing. My aneurysm is fairly small as far as aneurysms go, and hasn't changed in the 2 years I've known about it.

So it turns out she wanted me in early because she was very worried about me having an aneurysm, and didn't think it was a good idea for me to even be pregnant - despite the fact that I saw the cardiologist who is a leading specialist in aortic aneurysms and he doesn't think I'll have any issues. Afterwards my hubby and I talked about it and we both got the impression that she was trying to give us the option of aborting without actually saying those words...

She wasn't happy when I said I didn't want a c-section. I said to her that if all my heart scans are fine, and show no change through the pregnancy, then I am absolutely want to avoid a c-section. If the aneurysm gets any bigger, then sure - I'll be happy to have a c-section - my life is important to me as well!

She also wants to send us for genetic testing (even though they can't identify the gene responsible), get a fetal echocardiogram (heart scan) at 22 weeks, and then have monthly echocardiograms myself once I reach the 5 month mark.

I kind of think she's overreacting because she is a high risk person and it's her job to be ultra conservative, but then it was also very sobering for us that because they can't identify the gene causing this condition, and they don't have much information on aortic aneurysms and pregnancy, that it really could be risking my life.

So I'm going to be babied the entire way through the pregnancy I think....

Well you are deffinately in my prayers. Let them baby you for now and just take care of yourself and that little miracle growing inside you.

You will be in my prayers also- but its good be be 'babied' like that, since you are high risk - its better to be safe than sorry, for you and the baby

Just curious. What is your blood type? If you don't want to answer, I totally understand and just ignore this post.

I am glad the appointment went well but please listen to your doctor about the csection idea. My niece had the same issue as you, it to was genetic. Her doctor recomended a csection anly after my niece said whe was going to keep the baby. She had a healthy pregnancy and said the same things you have said. Sadly three months after the little one was born her husband came home and found her. The doctors said her heart just gave out. The strain of natural birth was to much. They said even if she was in the er at the time there was nothing they could do. Yet one week prior to her death she had seen the heart doctor had all the test and he said she was healthy and that it looked like the birth was not as bad as they thought it was going to be.

I respect you for wanting the child but please consider the csection. I have seen first hand what can happen to a family just because the mother wants to experiance natural birth. Its not the end of the world, lots of woman do it. Your doctor is not over reacting she is trying to tell you the truth with out upsetting you. The truth is you could die.

PM me if you need to , I have been through this before, nothing you could say would upset me. Just please listen to your doctor, I don't want it to happen again.

I think your doctor is being appropriately upfront with you, and you already knew you were a high risk pregnancy. I'm glad you are having such good care, trust her. If you don't, find another specialist you do trust, but do as they advise you. Please.

Thanks all for the sound advice. It's going to be a long road!

Originally Posted by Sprocket

Just curious. What is your blood type? If you don't want to answer, I totally understand and just ignore this post.

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I just found out today! I'm O+

Originally Posted by KarmasMom

I am glad the appointment went well but please listen to your doctor about the csection idea. My niece had the same issue as you, it to was genetic. Her doctor recomended a csection anly after my niece said whe was going to keep the baby. She had a healthy pregnancy and said the same things you have said. Sadly three months after the little one was born her husband came home and found her. The doctors said her heart just gave out. The strain of natural birth was to much. They said even if she was in the er at the time there was nothing they could do. Yet one week prior to her death she had seen the heart doctor had all the test and he said she was healthy and that it looked like the birth was not as bad as they thought it was going to be.

I respect you for wanting the child but please consider the csection. I have seen first hand what can happen to a family just because the mother wants to experiance natural birth. Its not the end of the world, lots of woman do it. Your doctor is not over reacting she is trying to tell you the truth with out upsetting you. The truth is you could die.

PM me if you need to , I have been through this before, nothing you could say would upset me. Just please listen to your doctor, I don't want it to happen again.

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Wow, thank you for posting that and I'm sorry about your niece I absolutely will look after myself and take their advice. I also know it's more the hormones from pregnancy rather than the labour itself that causes problems, but I'll wait and see how things pan out. She's certainly happy for me to consider a natural birth while things are fine.

I just feel as though having a defined date, and having the baby cut out of me rather than going through the work of pushing feels like "cheating" in some way. I know it's silly, and I have nothing against anyone who would prefer a c-section, that's just me. Like I said - I will take their advice very seriously.

Originally Posted by sarahp

Thanks all for the sound advice. It's going to be a long road!



I just found out today! I'm O+

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I will recommend a book to you. It's called:

Eat Right 4 Your Baby, by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, ND

Imho following the recommendations in this book will greatly enhance your odds of a positive pregnancy, as well as greatly improve your own health as well.

Originally Posted by Sprocket

I will recommend a book to you. It's called:

Eat Right 4 Your Baby, by Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo, ND

Imho following the recommendations in this book will greatly enhance your odds of a positive pregnancy, as well as greatly improve your own health as well.

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Thanks I'll look into it, and see if it's at the local library!

Originally Posted by sarahp

I just feel as though having a defined date, and having the baby cut out of me rather than going through the work of pushing feels like "cheating" in some way. I know it's silly, and I have nothing against anyone who would prefer a c-section, that's just me. Like I said - I will take their advice very seriously.

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Its not cheating in any way. You still go through bitrth, its just differant. You still have time to think about it. Just do whats right for you and the baby. Talk with your doctor. Tell them you want the truth no matter how harsh. Would going through the actual labor and delivery be to much. It is very hard on the body. It may not seem like much but it is. Make the best desision you can with all the info you can get. Do whats best for you and for the baby. No matter what the little one will come into this world. The main question for you is will you be here to see the little one grow up?

I really hate sounding so harsh but it is the reality. If you do decide to go through natural birth make sure everything else in your life is taken care of. Talk to you DH about it tell him the pros and cons. Ask him point blank, could he do it alone?(raise a child). Ultimatley its up to you. Just get informed. I am here for you and so is everyone else.

You don't even need a defined date. Talk to your doctor, maybe you can go through part but when the time comes have a c section. I respect your desision and understand your point but I know what can happen. Talk with your doc, get all info, you still have plenty of time. See what all your options are.

I would go by what you and your Dr both feel is right for you.You don't want to overreact, but at the same time, you don't want to take too many chances either.
I am praying that ALL goes well with you and the baby

Just please listen to your doctor.

My daughters doctor has already told her too that she is gonna be a good canidate for a C-Section. Desirée is only 4'10", and her doctor told her that there is just not a lot of room for the baby to go up and down, her baby is just gonna be able to go sideways because she is so little.

I don't see nothing wrong with having a C-section, the end result is still the same. You are still gonna have a baby when it is all over with.

Do you have Marfan's syndrome? My brother died from an aortic aneurysm so I know how they can sneak up on you and it's "all over before you know it." You really have NO idea how hard it is to push out a baby and I can easily see how an already weakened vessel could balloon out of control very easily.

PLEASE heed the doctor's advice. Also, remember this: The "birth" is just a tiny spec of time on the big screen of life. There is so much more to life than the manner in which one comes into the world.

Hunny am not sure if ya have other kids the sound of it this is your first but trust me Let them baby you all they want because when the baby gets here the time is gone. I hope you do get to go vaginally but if you dont a c-section isnt that bad to recove from, but I wont lie to you it is scary.

dont forget you dont have to have a defined date. alot of women go into labor naturally and then still have a c-section. i had one of my kids by emergency c- section and i have the same bond with him as i do with my other two that i had naturaly. all i can say is what has been said before and from experience from being a high risk pregnancy myself ,please listen to and follow your doctors recommendations.

I just wish you luck with your pregnancy. I hope everything works out for the best! Take care of yourself and keep us updated with all the baby news!!

Originally Posted by pee-cleaner

Do you have Marfan's syndrome? My brother died from an aortic aneurysm so I know how they can sneak up on you and it's "all over before you know it." You really have NO idea how hard it is to push out a baby and I can easily see how an already weakened vessel could balloon out of control very easily.

PLEASE heed the doctor's advice. Also, remember this: The "birth" is just a tiny spec of time on the big screen of life. There is so much more to life than the manner in which one comes into the world.

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I'm sorry to hear about your brother, I know how heartbreaking that sort of thing is. I assume the rest of your family gets regular heart check ups?

No I don't have Marfan's, it's a hereditary genetic condition, and I am seeing a "Marfans and other related conditions" expert, because of the aneurysm link. They will pretty much be treating me like a Marfan's patient as they can't identify the gene/condition causing our aneurysms.

And I have been thinking about a c-section and seriously considering it. An old friend had this theory about birth - "A child born naturally comes into the world fighting, and will always be a fighter, whereas a child born by c-section gets carried and helped into the world, and won't have that fighting spirit". But yes- my life is important to me, and I definitely want to see my child grow up. I will be doing more research into c-sections. I really don't like the idea of my belly being cut open, but at least if I have a c-section I'm less likely to "defecate" while giving birth - ewwwww!!!!!!

Originally Posted by sarahp

An old friend had this theory about birth - "A child born naturally comes into the world fighting, and will always be a fighter, whereas a child born by c-section gets carried and helped into the world, and won't have that fighting spirit".

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Thats quite untrue 3 of my cousins were c-section babies, and have QUITE the 'fighting spirit' Very independant and on their own children, all 3 of them!

I know you'll make the right choice, regarding you and your baby

Oh how exciting! Babies are fun, my nephew was just born last week

I think the only person affected by whether its a natural birth or a csection would be you, your baby won't know the difference, your husband won't really understand the difference (I don't think men can ever really get the whole birth and pregnancy thing, though they do try!). All the baby will know is that one second he's in the womb and the next he goes out and into the world.

Either way, I hope everything goes well and you stay healthy!

"A child born naturally comes into the world fighting, and will always be a fighter, whereas a child born by c-section gets carried and helped into the world, and won't have that fighting spirit". But yes- my life is important to me, and I definitely want to see my child grow up.

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Ok I will have to make a long story short my last son was a c-section and at 2 weeks he almost Died of the RSV he was in the hospital for 2 months then after that he was sick again and he almost died 7x and I had a preecher in there 5x because I was told he would not make it. He was in the hospital till he was 3 with tubes and everything. He got to come home and I was so excited but he still had to have infusions for GAMMAGLOB and he had feeding tube and he had a pik line. My son wasnt suppose to ever talk walk think or even pee or eat on his own. He fought everyday of his life because medically there was no help for him. Today he is 6 he can walk great talk great and he has no more feeding tube and no more infusions. He was given 10% survival and he turned it in to 1000% I am proud of him and Loma Linda in California was amazed he did a 360 on his own. SO to me c-section or not every baby has a fighting chance I think alot is in gods hands.

I had 2 and they where not bad but scary but in the end we both came out ok. I am sure you will also.