HB and Vasovagal Syncope

[thursday2]

So we've officially decided to have a HB (woo-hoo!). One of the reasons I wanted to stay out of the hospital is because I get vasovagal really easily - every time I have blood drawn, when I got my tattoo, even when flying and the plane loses altitude - if my blood pressure drops, I get really woozy and the cold sweats. If I lose a lot of blood (when I give blood or when I had a colposcopy), I pass out. I don't want to be pricked constantly, get dizzy and weak, not be able to push, and have the doctors freak out and send me for a c-section.

That being said, I suddenly realized that there's a LOT of blood loss going on in birth. We're meeting with MWs this week and I'll ask her how she handles it, but if you're vasovagal as well or if you're a MW - um, what happens? Do people pass out and if so what do you do? Or is the blood volume in the mom so high that the blood loss through birth isn't the same as regular blood loss and might not trigger a response?

[scottishmommy]

i'm not a medical professional so i can't answer your questions with any expertise, but here's my experience with vasovasal syncope. my dh has this issue. he faints whenever he sees blood, or someone in pain etc. he fainted once when i had stitches removed. he fainted in our birth class when we watched a video of an epidural being administered (one of the many reasons i wanted a natural birth). he fainted after he had his wisdom teeth out. the list goes on! so we decided that he shouldn't watch the birth. that he should be there, but not actually watch the baby coming out. he also didn't want anything to do with the cord. you know what? he was a champ at the birth! honestly, the best birth partner. he was so supportive. he watched everything and was amazed. he kept saying "there's the head!". he even cut the cord. i don't know if it was the adrenaline or what, but he was fine. good luck, and congrats on your pregnancy!

[kgrace]

Oh me, I have this. I faint easily!-- only with my own blood loss for example pulling out my tooth and seeing blood,and recently when they drew my prenatal labs. Also with dehydration or overheating from a hot shower things like that trigger it, but anxiety doesn't help either.
I had my first birth a homebirth 2 years ago. I did faint in the bathroom right after I delivered my placenta, and they caught me.My husband almost called an ambulance he was so terrified. So I do recommend not being moved suddenly or walking around unsupported if you get vasovagal.Otherwise not a big issue I can see.