Aortic Valve Replacement and Pregnancy

[AmyCe]

I am 30 years old and have an 11 month old daughter. I had my aortic valve replaced in February of this year with a mechanical valve. I visited a high risk OB-GYN who specializes in congenital heart disease today who told me that a pregnancy was definitely "do-able". I was wondering if anyone had experienced a pregnancy and delivery with a mechanical valve.

 

[Mary]

Hi Amy!
I don't know the answer to your question, but the drill is: I'm sure someone on the forum does and they will let you know pretty quickly.

I'm just welcoming you as one Southeast Missourian to another. I live in Cape Girardeau; just down I-55 from you.

Where did you have your surgery done? We have a member who had his done at Missouri Baptist, I believe.
Anyway, welcome!
Mary

 

[KathyH]

Usually I think that they advise you against Pregnancy because of the coumadin. Does the Dr use Lovenox shots during the pregnancy? Personally, I don't know anyone with a mechanical valve that carried a pregnancy. I would definately get more than one opinion on it.
Kathy H

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome! Hopefully Al Lodwick will wander by shortly to tell you what he knows. He is an incredible expert on Coumadin and has commented in the past about pregnancies for those on warfarin therapy. In the meantime you may want to give his web site a gander at www.warfarinfo.com.

 

[jenlynn72]

Amy,

Welcome to the website, it is wonderful.

And to add to your question if I may: If the doctors can control the blood clotting time with something like Heparin, what about the stress to the heart? And the valve? I was told that the stress alone on the heart is very high risk, and that there is a risk of stroke and complications? I am also curious to know about this topic. I was told my whole life that I wouldn't be able to have a baby.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

When my MVR came about I was 30 as well. My child was 2. We would have liked to have another.......all the research on mechanicals and preganacy pointed to a decision of not considering pregnancy. The statistics I found at the time were not good.

Though, my high risk OBGYN said not to worry about it...he would handle me. I felt like more or less his 'pet project' than a patient. He did not have anything to lose, but we did! We have one beautiful child.....not willing to leave her without a mother if I can help it.

Good luck to you.

 

[AmyCe]

Pregnancy

Pregnancy

Thank you for the welcomes! The OB told me that the stress on your heart during pregnancy was no more than a mild workout. He also said that they would probably put me on a heparin pump for the duration of my pregnancy. Then at delivery, they would induce me, cut off the heparin, I would deliver, then around four hours later they would restart heparin and coumadin. He said that it is that time period where the risk of stroke would be the greatest. I too, don't want to leave my daughter without a mother. I love being a mother way too much to risk it. I talked it over seriously last night with my husband and I think we are going to adopt. I just think that the risk right now is too great.

P.S. I had my surgery done at Barnes-Jewish. Hopefully it will be my last!