Help please :) (heart condition & vaginal birth)

[amberbirthdoula]

Hi Everyone, 

I'm working with a client right now who just learned that she has a short circuit in her heart. Generally what happens (actually it only happened to her one time) is that her heart starts to beat very fast, she gets short of breath with chest pain etc...

Originally her OB had said that a natural vaginal birth as planned would still be ok, but has recently changed her mind and told my client that she may need to have an elective C-section. I'd like to be able to provide her with more information, and of course I will support her either way. Has anyone ever heard of or experienced this? Does anyone know of any good resources where I could find information about birthing with a heart condition?

Thanks!

[Wittyone]

She could request a work up with a cardiologist if she has not already had one.  It would be important to know whether her heart is structurally sound and functioning properly no matter which route her birth is.  A surgical birth is not automatically easier on the cardiovascular system and in her shoes I'd want to know for certain that is was truly indicated.

[amberbirthdoula]

Thanks! She did see one and he gave her the thumbs up for a vaginal birth. Yay! :)