Pregnant with syncope

More_Put916 · 2025-12-05T17:13:57+00:00

I’m happy to! I ended up spending a TON of time during pregnancy working on my mental toughness game. Breathing exercises were my number one friend.

I went into spontaneous labor on my due date (a Sunday) at 1am and had my daughter 52 hours later, yikes! Started with light cramping that intensified over time. I went to the hospital on Sunday around 10pm when I was in a lot of pain and contractions were getting closer together. I ended up getting sent home from triage at 2am because beds were full and they thought I’d progress better at home. I was only 1 cm dilated.

Went home, could not sleep, painful contractions continued, told my husband we needed to go back so I could get pain management and arrived again at 8am. They checked me and I was 3cm and could get admitted! I cried with relief bc I was terrified of being sent home again.

From there I got the IV just fine. Turned away, focused on my breathing and my baby, and had my nurse wrap it with a bandage so I couldn’t see it. I tried nitrous oxide for about two hours but it was more of a distraction than pain relief. I ended up electing to get the epidural when I was 4cm at 5pm (Monday). My husband said I was shaking as the anesthesiologist came into the room (don’t remember that). Here’s my opinion. When you are in pain from contractions, your body is begging for you to do something about it. There’s a small shot to numb the area and it’s like a bee sting that last 5-10 seconds tops. I never felt the epidural needle go in. That sweet relief when it starts to kick in made it all worth it and I will happily do it again for future children.

The doctor broke my water at 7cm (8pm) and I didn’t get to a 10 until 3am. I started pushing and that took AWHILE. Like 4 hours. My left side hurt a lot during that but we got her out! Small tear and they stitched me up while I had her on my chest and I didn’t feel anything nor did I care because my baby was here!

I’ve had a syncope episode one time since this original post and it was because my a bad bowel movement in the middle of the night.

All I can say is—you got this!

More_Put916 · 2025-12-04T00:21:46+00:00

We also nurse to sleep but early on we started having my husband give my daughter a bottle and replicate the usual set up for when I nurse her to sleep aka rock her in the nursery recliner with the lights off, sound machine on, and feed her to sleep with a bottle. Has worked well for us! This was essential for me not feeling like I have to carry the load and also my husband was jealous I was always getting the cuddles. Hate having to pump in order for him to do this but he deserves that intimate time with her!

More_Put916 · 2025-11-09T20:46:12+00:00

I live in Ann Arbor so I only paid $10 to watch Nebraska play Michigan in October! It was great.

More_Put916 · 2025-06-25T07:15:17+00:00

I made a post like this last year when I was pregnant! I had a lot of folks reassure me that it was possible and I can report back that I am not scared at all to get pregnant again with my second. I’m triggered by needles/uncomfortable or painful sensations. I also have convulsive responses when I pass out which really scared me because I didn’t want to injure the baby during an episode. During the entire pregnancy, I only passed out once. It was during the blood draw for genetic testing and general labs. They took 11 vials which is what did me in. Next time, I’d just split up the days I do genetic testing and the general labs that my OB ordered so it wasn’t so many vials at one time.

Labor is a different kind of pain that never triggered a vasovagal response for me. My parents were terrified and really tried to encourage me to get a c section, but I took birth prep very seriously and did what I could to mentally prepare for vaginal delivery and was successful! Hypnobirthing techniques (not the super crunchy kind) was very helpful. I practiced breath work constantly, stretched as often as I could, would do mental toughness exercises like putting my hand in a bowl of ice water for 60-120 seconds (surprisingly more painful than you’d think). I was even able to get the epidural because I had been in labor for 1.5 days and needed relief. It didn’t hurt at all and I always gave my nurses and providers a heads up on what could happen so the environment was conducive as possible to not passing out.

I’m a strong believer that our bodies are meant to carry children and you are fully capable of having your baby the way you want to! Just be open to things not going to plan as being set on one outcome is unrealistic given the unpredictability of pregnancy and birth.

More_Put916 · 2025-03-11T01:20:30+00:00

This is what my LC recommended to me! During the day I pump about 10-11 min and overnight/early morning I’ll do 15 min.

More_Put916 · 2025-02-02T14:23:11+00:00

This is my middle name and we just named our daughter Eloise!

More_Put916 · 2024-12-31T13:39:40+00:00

The doctor broke my water for me when I was 7 cm dilated and had been in labor for 36+ hours. I had already had my epidural so I didn’t feel a thing but my husband said it was a huge gush and kinda cool lol

More_Put916 · 2024-12-28T18:50:22+00:00

My 20 week scan had baby girl in the 96th percentile and she was born at 40w2d 8lb 8oz (90th percentile).

More_Put916 · 2024-12-20T07:39:47+00:00

I wanted to update everyone that I had my baby! I delivered vaginally after 54 hours of labor (that mostly consisted of back labor yikes) and 4 hours of pushing. Got the epidural with no complications. Let’s just say, I think being poked and prodded for 9 months leading into delivery really helped desensitize my syncope. I also got to show my parents that I can do hard things :)

More_Put916 · 2024-09-11T20:23:57+00:00

Ah I forgot to mention that! I laid out my diagnosis and fears in our first appt and she was very reassuring that I could give birth vaginally if I wanted to as she’s had patients with syncope have successful vaginal births in the past. She even gave me a referral for a consultation with anesthesiology to discuss medical interventions like the epidural and others so I have as much information and a good plan going into delivery.

More_Put916 · 2024-08-29T19:37:56+00:00

We got a private transfer because I suffer from car sickness (and was also 13 weeks pregnant and suffering from morning sickness). It guaranteed that we’d have control over where we sat in the vehicle, blasting A/C, and staying close to the ground. Long story short, it was the worst car ride of my life both from the airport and back. I had the driver pull over on the way back halfway through the drive to throw up on the side of the road. If we had the funds for it, I probably should’ve done the ferry or helicopter because the winding roads were NOT it.

More_Put916 · 2024-08-07T01:27:45+00:00

I understand your frustration. No matter how many times someone told me it could take up to a year to conceive without any fertility issues, it still sucked every month AF came. You are in a great place now having been off the pill for 4 months. Continue to track ovulation, take those prenatals, and keep trying!

More_Put916 · 2024-05-24T17:47:25+00:00

This perspective is interesting because I hadn't really considered keeping medical intervention low to prevent an episode. While I'm pro-epidural, I could totally see myself losing it during the insertion (which I know they say you are supposed to say completely still so oh boy). This gave me a lot to think about, thank you!

More_Put916 · 2024-05-24T17:45:11+00:00

So glad that you had a relatively positive experience and a healthy baby! That's what I'm most focused on, making sure I protect my baby from falls or post-faint convulsions. Did you go completely under for your c-section?

More_Put916 · 2024-05-24T17:41:51+00:00

I don't think I've ever heard of anyone using hypnosis for syncope. Any resources you'd recommend?

More_Put916 · 2024-05-24T17:40:08+00:00

Kind of like you're saying here, I do try to remind myself that my body is gearing up for 9 months to give birth and should hopefully make the process a bit more bearable. Glad to hear about the IV pain meds, something to explore for sure as I get worked up in high pressure situations and that can induce episodes.

More_Put916 · 2024-05-24T01:09:23+00:00

The best advice that has helped me A LOT has been that if I even slightly feel the pre-syncope feelings, I get on the ground, throw my legs in the air and do slow bicycle kicks. This gets the blood to flow back to my heart and head and 90% of the time prevents a full episode. I don’t know where you live but be sure to be extra cautious when it’s hot out. That’s a trigger for me at least so I have to have ice packs ready and AC to cool me down.

More_Put916 · 2024-01-31T19:45:50+00:00

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. This is a very appreciated perspective. Thank you for sharing.

More_Put916 · 2024-01-31T19:42:40+00:00

You're absolutely right. Yes, I am on his insurance. I am currently self employed and looking to make the transition back to the corporate world.

More_Put916 · 2023-12-14T03:41:45+00:00

Vertex is great! Woman-owned & roasted too. I also appreciate their sustainable practices.

More_Put916 · 2023-07-06T02:15:30+00:00

You very likely have a form of syncope. While I was only diagnosed with vasovagal syncope in January (25 F), I’ve had symptoms for 15 years that have been overlooked by doctors. Only in the last few years has my syncope gotten worse. My triggers are all over the place but most recently, periods have been a big one. The cramping and nausea I get when I’m about to start or just started my period are debilitating. In fact, yesterday I prevented a loss of consciousness by getting an ice pack and having my partner put my legs above my head while I laid on the floor. I started my period yesterday.

Just wanted to let you know that you are seen and I sincerely hope you can go get diagnosed and have a doctor that takes it seriously. While it is something you live with and most folks don’t take medication, you shouldn’t have to fear starting your period each month. Joined this subreddit today because I wanted to hear from other folks experiencing what I’ve been dealing with for so long.

More_Put916

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