MomtoGiuliana Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 There is always much talk on this forum about pregnancy, so I thought I would share my conversation that I had today with a new (to me) ob/gyn. She has several patients with POTS and her large practice has cared for several women with POTS through pregnancies, some more than one pregnancy. She stated emphatically that POTS is not a reason to avoid pregnancy--her strong belief based on her experience is that it can be successfully managed, working with a cardiologist, and there is no reason to expect a poor outcome. She said she feels that a large part of my problem during my first pregnancy was that it was not managed properly because it was undiagnosed. She said that Prozac is the SSRI that has the longest history of use during pregnancy now and there are no fetal development problems associated with it. There are also safe beta blockers to take, if needed. (My POTS specialist is more conservative on this front and I told her that, and she said, the recommended approach is to attempt to go off all meds during pregnancy, but if it doesn't work, there are many that can be used safely during pregnancy.) She also said, that experience during one pregnancy does not forecast how the next one will go. Of course, she could not promise that I would not end up very fatigued or even bed-ridden due to POTS during pregnancy, even with most appropriate treatment.She also kindly pointed out that my window of fertility is closing and she would recommend that I pursue a second pregnancy in the next year or two if we want another child. Personally, I have pretty much decided against a second child, due greatly to my past experience and since I also have to work. Anyway, the bottom line is that it was good to hear from a doctor with experience with this condition and pregnancy who gave some hope. I hope this will help others who are unsure feel a tiny bit more secure about the idea of pregnancy, when you make that decision with the help of your doctors.Katherine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn202 Posted January 24, 2006 Report Share Posted January 24, 2006 Thats great news to hear! Thank you for sharing it with us.....I asked Dr Grubb the same question when I saw him last year and we talked about it length..He feels the same.... And he usually treats with meds when the benefit outweighs the risk.. He said he has had MANY women have sucsessful pregnancies ..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfish Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 thanks for sharing your appt with us katherine. sounds like you found a good doc too!like jen said dr. grubb has always said the same thing to me re: pregnancy...with the exception of when i've been doing REALLY poorly, i.e. this fall he said "promise you're not going to get pregnant, ok?" it was NOT anything on my radar screen anyway but i'm digressing. all in all he is not discouraging of pregnancy for most people. melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DancingLight Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Katherine,Thank you for posting that information for the folks who are struggling with the pregnancy question. Nice of her to point out your 'window of fertility' is closing, huh? Emily Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie802 Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Hi, thanks for the post. I always wondered whether or not I would be able to have kids someday due to the POTS and its lovely symptoms. My cardio also told me that he hopes I don't plan on getting pregnant soon, so I am right there with you Melissa!!! LOL Jacquie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted January 25, 2006 Report Share Posted January 25, 2006 Katherine, Dr. Grubb also said the same thing to me--that POTS should not be a reason to avoid having a family, and that there are meds we could safely use if needed. My fertility window is getting smaller by the day--and I so want a child, but Teri and I have decided that if we go that route, we'll adopt. Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calypso Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Thanks for adding this info, Katherine! I am probably going to be attempting a second pregnancy later this year, and this is the kind of positive talk I need to hear right now. I know it could go either way, but I am going to listen to reason and think that it will all turn out just fine. Maybe when I leave the hospital this time, my POTS will go away instead of developing like it did the first time around! Probably wishful thinking, but that can't hurt.Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avais1 Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Katherine,Great post. I, too, will soon have to choose. Thank you for posting this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JenniferInOhio Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Thanks so much for the info ~ it's nice to hear something positive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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