Thinking of getting pregos and have POTS

I was diagnosed with POTS 8 months after the birth of my first child. I was on medication for about a year (nadolol) and weaned off to see if my sympotoms persisted and for the fact that I wanted another child. After 3 months of being off the medicine my symptoms are back and I'm back on my bblocker. I still would really like a second child but I'm VERY nervous about getting pregnant and what it will do to me and my baby....not to mention the delivery. My BP bottomed out with an epidural the first time and that was before i was diagnosed (my cardo. thinks this developed after my first pregnancy) After reading everyone's experience w/POTS and pregnancy I'm more nervous!!! Any suggestions would help! I too feel like the MD's are unsure....

[evo123]

Hiya, there is another recent question on the forum regarding pregnancy and POTS, here is the link:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Dysautonomia-Autonomic-Dysfunction/POTS-and-full-term-pregnancy/show/1256384

I posted a link to the following article, which you may find interesting:

http://www.stars.org.uk/files/file/medical-articles/Pregnancy%20POTS%20final.pdf

If I were you I would try my best to ensure that your doctors and those who look after you during your pregnancy know as much as they can about POTS and the risks you face during pregnancy and labour.  If you do not feel confident in their knowledge, if it is possible I would look for someone who is.  We here can help you with this if you decide to do so.  

It is quite normal for bp to drop when an epidural has been administered, I had a spinal block and my bp dropped quite low at times.  But having POTS leaves us with a higher chance of this happening.  During my last pregnancy I was very symptomatic (although we did not know it was POTS) and had an elective C-Section due to the fact that I had had 2 previous sections.  I was fine apart from several bp drops which were corrected through IV meds.  A day or so after I had my baby I had a bad 'episode' but this did not last and I made a good recovery from the pregnancy, birth and surgery.  Although I still remained 'not right' and 11 months later this come upon me full force.  I would not say it was due to having another child, and even knowing what I know now I would do it all over again :) x

We are all different and our bodies respond differently to the elements we are exposed to, and we can have varying causes to our POTS, therefore our bodies will react differently to pregnancy.  What are your main symptoms?  

Hope this all makes sense......I am quite foggy tonight x

[mamamia40]

Hi, I have POTS and I am currently TTC. I've had POTS for about 5 years, but was only diagnosed about 3 years ago. (it took several cardiologists, and almost 2 years of back and forth between doctors to figure it out). I was on Midodrine for the last couple years and it helped, but would still have symptoms. I couldn't find much regarding POTS and pregnancy, but what I did find helped me come to my decision. My cardiologist also recommended I did not get pregnant while taking Midodrine as there aren't enough studies on its effects on POTS patients and babies development etc.. I chose to wean myself off the meds in order to try and conceive and I am trying to tolerate it as best I can. I'd rather not take the chances or be a lab rat. If I can get pregnant (I'm 40 years old, so it may not happen.) then I will take it day by day and do the best I can. If I cannot get pregnant, maybe it wasn't meant to be. For now, I am going to try and see what happens.

[evo123]

Hi,

It has just taken me about 10 minutes to work out what TTC stands for!!!!  Now I realise it's Trying To Concieve (conceive)..............is this right? LOL! x

At this time, as there is no long term research in medications for POTS during pregnancy and effects on the baby, I agree with your decision not to take your meds.  I assume you are increasing your fluid and salt intake, but have you tried compression hose?  These do work wonders for some with POTS.  You can also get ones made especially for pregnant women.  If you haven't tried them it would be definately worth giving them a go.

Hopefully your dedication to TTC will result in the pitter patter of tiny feet for you soon xx

[lumterps]

Thanks for the advice! It is so nice to hear that you would do it all over again...even with POTS! In fact, I think you just made my day:)