Vasovagal Syncope During Childbirth: Risks and Considerations

Question
I am curious about the risk factor during childbirth if the woman experiences vasovagel at the sight if her own blood?I plan to get pregnant soon and am in good health except for the several times in my life that I passed out giving blood, after cutting my fingertip , and when the nurse was preparing me for an iv before rhinoplasty....even giving a few blood samples for a routine physical...I am not fearful of needles or pain...I am just aware that anytime someone draws blood from me ,9 out of 10x I have fainted..Should I worry?
Thank you

Answer
I honestly wouldn't worry about it because the blood loss in childbirth is more akin to the blood loss during menstruation. If you've never experienced vasovagal during your menstrual cycle, I doubt it would happen during childbirth.

On a personal note, I am very much the same way. I cannot see needles and unless the get the blood very quickly, even a finger prick can knock me out cold. Even if I don't faint, I often feel sick to my stomach long afterwards. However, I personally didn't have a problem with the blood of childbirth. I did, however, have a vasovagal attack immediately before my emergency c-section and this is not uncommon.

Women can experience severe vasovagal attacks when receiving an epidural so I would look into having a natural childbirth  or utilizing other pain methods. There are many options of pain relief open to you other than an epidural, such as TENS machines, herbal therapies, waterbirth, hypnobirthing, etc. If you'd like to discuss these options as well, just let me know.

However, if you're worried about it, I would recommend looking into counterpressure and acupressure as this has been shown to relieve and abort vasovagal attacks (http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/j.jacc.2006.06.059v1)
You also need to keep yourself hydrated as this can ease it as well. In addition, you may want to go into a laying down position immediately after birthing the placenta. Some women do experience vasovagal attacks the morning after their childbirth when the lochia is particularly heavy. If you take things easy, you should be okay.

Now, if you do experience vasovagal during your menstrual cycle, let me know and I can give you some more tips and ideas of helping you.

Please let me know if I can help you further or with anything else!

Best wishes,
Helen