As I write the title of my new blog article, I still can't believe that I am actually carrying a little miracle under my heart.
The topic of pregnancy is by nature a very emotional one and for many couples unfortunately associated with many ups and downs.
My path was not entirely straight either. Even when I had my lung surgery over 11 years ago, the doctors said that it would be a risk to ever get pregnant and that I could only give birth by cesarean section, if at all. In my 20s, the whole thing wasn't really a big issue for me, even though I always wanted a child. Then, as I slowly approached 30, the thought carousel began to spin and so last year I decided to get more opinions on the subject.
Since I am repeatedly asked by women about the topic of pregnancy in combination with Swyer-James syndrome or a partial lung resection and/or a spontaneous pneumothorax, I will now report on my experiences to date.
The good news beforehand: everything is possible
In the last few years, I have had severe problems with my lungs again and again. From daily pain to a crooked spine that made it difficult for me to breathe well and deeply, it was actually all there. Not to mention the accompanying illnesses that also crept in over time.
When I then sat with a beating heart at the specialists and asked my questions about pregnancy, I often felt more than strange. I always had a list of my illnesses as well as my collected questions with me. As soon as I took them out, the doctors smirked and leaned back in their chairs. Even though this attitude unsettled me every time, I always met an understanding counterpart who not only listened to me, but also calmly took away doubts and worries.
Even though Swyer-James-MacLeod syndrome is still very unexplored, my lung doctors were sure that pregnancy would be possible for me despite the pre-existing condition. However, it was also clear to them that this would be a high-risk pregnancy with a planned C-section and that I should be prepared for this. On the whole, they evaluated different factors that could additionally increase or decrease the risk. Here is a brief overview:
What factors play a role?
the general fitness
the age (the younger the expectant mom, the better)
the location of the heart and heart health
the number of medications currently being taken
My pregnancy
I am now in the third trimester of my pregnancy and just overjoyed. Like every pregnant woman, I have to deal with a few aches and pains, but I also notice that the pre-existing condition sometimes makes things a bit more difficult for me. As my belly girth grows, it not only becomes much harder to find a comfortable sleeping position, for me it actually means finding a position where I don't endanger my baby and at the same time don't wake up with my lungs stuck together in the morning. To be honest, that doesn't always work out particularly well. In addition to the general shortness of breath that pregnant women suffer from, the removed part of my left lung is also very noticeable. Especially in the morning, I need a few hours to be able to breathe deeply and painlessly again.
At this point, however, I would like to point out that every pregnancy and every body are very individual. Overall, I am incredibly impressed with what my body has done in the last few months. Depending on which part of the lung was removed in a pregnant woman or how severe the shortness of breath already was before pregnancy, the physical experiences can vary greatly.
What are the effects of Swyer-James syndrome and partial lung resection on my pregnancy?
At the beginning of my pregnancy, I suffered from extreme shortness of breath. Every time I went on a business call, I felt like I had just completed a marathon. Any walk that took me even minimally uphill pushed me to my physical limits. Even though I was already familiar with such severe shortness of breath due to the partial lung resection, this was a completely new experience.
At the end of the first trimester, my body gradually got used to the change and I got used to the increased shortness of breath. I got used to talking slower when necessary and just walking slower. This sounds banal at first, but for me it was a significant change.
The second trimester was the most physically relaxing for me. I was able to practice significantly more yoga again and found new pregnancy workouts to do daily. However, I noticed that I was missing exercises like twists of the upper body and back exercises more and more. Before my pregnancy, these exercises not only helped me strengthen my back, but also helped clear my lungs of adhesions. However, since twists should only be practiced very mildly to not at all during pregnancy, their positive effect was lost for me. With a growing belly, this is actually an issue that concerns me, as I now have to resort more to my emergency spray instead of the exercises I am used to.
In summary, however, I am incredibly grateful that pregnancy is possible for me with the pre-existing condition and that my baby is healthy so far. I know that it takes courage to trust the doctors on this important issue, but at the same time I am convinced that it is possible to have a healthy and happy pregnancy despite physical limitations, as long as you listen to yourself.
Why does my previous condition pose a risk?
a new (spontaneous) pneumothorax could occur during a birth
supply bottlenecks could occur
because my heart is slightly out of position, complications could occur
Want to have children and now?
For the women among you who also want to have a child, I have compiled a small list of how I prepared for pregnancy - if you can talk about it.
How did I prepare for my pregnancy?
Consultation with different medical specialists
Gradual reduction of the number of my medications
osteopathy to treat my scar as well as my scoliosis
daily sports/yoga sessions to build up the lung volume, but also the muscles around my back and chest
emotional (if that was possible): there is a residual risk of a similar disease of the child
exchange with other women who have a similar clinical picture
My most important tip at the end: trust your body and your feelings. Even though many of us have been through a long and difficult ordeal, it does not mean that pregnancy is impossible. I wish you a lot of strength and love for this journey!
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