Anyone had vaso-vagal synocope while pregnant?

Question

I had an episode of this when I was 8 weeks when having my blood drawn. They had to draw 8 tubes for the prenatal testing, and by the 6th tube I passed out and had what appeared to be a small siezure. I am now 32 weeks, but my concern is that this will happen during labor. I have never been squemish and I don't think the sight of blood caused it.

Has anyone had this problem while in labor?

Answer 1

I have this problem when not pregnant.

Its genreally brought on by people doing things out of your control. I'd put together a birth plan where people arent trying to make you do things a certain way. But where you can get up and move and deal with the labor in your own natural way.

I know for most people being restricted and nervous makes it worse.

However, with labor, instinct kicks in and you tend to go into work mode, instead of panic mode. Worse case senerio they have to do general anesthetic and c-section because you slipped into a panic attack and had convulsions.

Vaso-vegal reactions are perfectly common with pregnancy, I asked my doctors about it, and they said in all their years they've never seen someone faint or go clypto (in that way) during labor.

Answer 2

I understand your concern about this happening again during labor. I have to tell you from my own experience that I have never had the condition which you identified and I never had a seizure but at the time that I was in the operation theatre (I was in a foreign country and also it was my first delivery so I was understandably already freaked out enough).

They had given me an epidural and mostly deadened me from my waist down but I started feeling pain as they were starting the c-section incisions. I let them know clearly screaming I CAN FEEL IT!!!! I sorta had an anxiety episode but basically they totally gassed me out and I slept through the delivery. Everything went smoothly and I woke up about 20 minutes after my daughter was born and by that time they brought her from the nursery and had already washed her and checked her vitals. My c-section had been an emergency one and so it was a bit difficult but believe me, when you see those little hands and feet and the miracle that you have carried for nine months and that now is a little person, you won't think about anything else.

Doctors know what to do. You have to trust them because they do this everyday and as long as they are aware of your concerns then you should trust them. If you start to show signs of distress whether by anxiety attack or whatsoever, they will help you in any way they possibly can. If they are aware that you are at risk for a seizure then a c-section may be required to be on the safe side. It is best to plan for this rather than being shocked by it as I was. Take care of yourself and you will have a smooth delivery. Best of luck.