Heart to Heart

Although I haven't updated everyone since my hospital visit, I've gone back into AFib four times since then, though nothing as scary as the first time and I've been able to convert on my own within two hours. It's really been freaking me out, especially since I'm my due date is getting closer and closer.

It was time for a Heart to Heart with my OB and cardiologist and talk about all the what-if's going through my head....What happens if my episodes continue to happen more frequently and last longer? Will they want to induce me? What if I go into AFib during labor? 

Earlier this week I had my 32 week appointment with OB. I was also able to move up my cardiologist appointment a week and met with her the day after my OB appointment. I find it funny that both offices are in the same building and on the same floor; in fact, they are right next to each other! If only I could get us all in one room to get all the questions answered at once and everyone on the same page. Since that won't happen, I'm happy that I got to meet with them both in the same week.

My OB was not happy to hear that I had 3 episodes last week and glad I was meeting with cardiologist to see if there was more we could do to stop them from happening. She thought I may need to go on a stronger blood thinner (I'm currently on a baby aspirin a day) which is done via injections. Good thing I have practice with that! With increased AFib episodes, she feared that I could form a clot and therefore have a stroke, which the blood thinners would prevent. At 36 weeks, she'd have to switch me to a safer blood thinner for delivery and that would also mean inducing me. As much as I NEVER wanted to be induced, things have changed and I'd do whatever it takes to ensure our safety. However, any changes in meds would come from the cardiologist.

I hadn't seen the cardiologist in a month and she was surprised to see how much I'd "grown" :)  She had known about all of my episodes since I call them in to the nurse line to report. She immediately told me she still wasn't concerned as my episodes weren't that frequent (apparently 3 times a week isn't frequent?) and they weren't lasting very long. She knew that I may feel differently as they are very uncomfortable, but definitely reassured me that me and Baby B are okay. In order to form a blood clot, I'd need to have episodes almost daily and/or have them last 24+ hours. Since neither were happening with me, there was no need to put me on stronger blood thinners (yeah!), though we'd consider putting me on a beta blocker to help prevent the occurrence and length of the episodes. First she wanted to consult with my OB. This is when it would've been handy to have them all in one room...but she was able to have a nurse page her and we got her on the phone! My OB agreed to the beta blocker daily as it would be a low dose. I needed reassurance that this was okay for Baby B, and it was, and will also be okay for breastfeeding since I'll be on this for at least 4 weeks after I deliver.

I also got answers to some of my questions.
I asked why these keep happening at 2 or 3am and the cardiologist said she wasn't surprised. Our bodies run on a circadian rhythm and we have a surge of hormones and adrenaline around that time. In fact, that is the most common time for a heart attack. Interesting!
I also told her how the last 3 episodes happened when I was moving from my right side to my left, which is not an easy feat these days. She simply told me to just sleep on my right side; when I lay on my left, where our hearts are located, it's making it work harder. Although I've read sleeping on my left side is better for Baby, the OB also assured me everything will be fine if I sleep on my right side. Done.
In regards to if I go into AFib during delivery, I'll be in the best place possible..the hospital! I'll be monitored the whole time and if something happens, I'll be able to be quickly treated. I really have no reason to be worried!

So I'll see my OB in two weeks for my usual appointment and I'll see my cardiologist in a month for another follow up. Obviously if I have more frequent or longer episodes, I'll call the cardiologist, but I feel MUCH better and really don't expect more to happen. Now if we can just get through the next 8 weeks!!