Babies: I could use some advice

[Christian]

After consulting with just about every doctor we could find, my wife and I made the decision in January to try to have a child naturally before she has her mitral valve repaired (She was at moderate/severe regurgitation after her last visit to the Cleveland Clinic in September, and her heart is a-ok in terms of size and funtion -- everyone says it's a bit too early for surgery). The doctors unanimously concluded that we were facing a "slight" risk of heart-related complications. Green lights all around. Apparently, isolated mitral regurgitation secondary to congenital mitral valve prolapse is well tolerated during pregnancy.

Lots of big words there, huh? I guess you're all used to it.

Well, turns out that making babies is a lot easier than I expected! We found out today that my wife is pregnant. I'm sort of giddy right now -- I guess that's normal. Never quite experienced anything like this before... I'm the eldest in my family so I haven't really been exposed to babies.

If any of you have had a child while you had moderate (or worse) regurgitation caused by mitral valve prolapse, could you please tell me how it went? Were there any snags? What kind of delivery did you have? ******l? C-Section? "No push?" (what the heck does that mean anyway?). What caused your regurgitation in the first place?

Keep your fingers crossed for us.

 

[Ross]

CONGRATULATIONS DADDY!

All you need is a baseball bat and a catchers mit. I'll let you figure out what to do with them.

I'm sure there a couple of people roaming about, give them time to pass this way.

 

[Christian]

Ross:

I saw your post before about your "visitor" earlier, by the way. I'm not sure who your visitor was, but I know all the rest. I just though I'd let you know here that even those of us who lurk more than speak find you to be inspirational. A price can't be put on what you've given to the folks on this forum.

 

[Ross]

Thanks Christian.

You people give far more credit then I deserve. I'm no different then any of you.

Have you ever seen a hermit in a video before? If not, be sure to check back later and see if it's posted. I'm too embarrassed at how I acted. I think I'll go find a small crack in this house somewhere and crawl into it.

 

[sylviayasgur]

congrats christian!

congrats christian!

hi christian!
that is such wonderful news! congratulations to you and your wife!
i'm sure there are several members here who have either experience or more knowledge about this subject matter than i do; they'll be along shortly.
in the meantime, enjoy this exciting time, take lots of photos of her changing "form", and i hope she feels well.
all the best, sylvia

 

[hensylee]

Christian, what a special blessing you and your lovely wife have in store for your future. Go with her to the doctor every time you can - it is so thrilling to 'see' the baby, especially with the 3d photos they have these days. Congratulations to both of you. If your wife gets morning sickness, tell her my complete sympathies are with her. In the long haul, it's worth every single upchuck.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Christian!

Wishing you both all the best!

7 years ago I gave birth and was noted to have moderate to severe MVP with reguirg. Was always told MVP was not a big deal...to go ahead with the pregnancy.

I am not saying the following to alarm you. Your wife should be with the best 'high risk OB' you can find. They may also suggest bed rest, induce, c-section. All the things that were not offered to me because MVP was
"not a big deal". Found out afterwards.

During the natural birth my BP bottomed out. Like 30/?. Big trouble. Quickly recovered by flipping the bed upsidedown. My little girl was born a 'blue baby'. She quickly recovered with some O2. Otherwise healty 8-lb 10oz! I gained a total of 60lbs, in which 48 was water that came off in less than 5 days. Still, they felt it was not a big deal. I do, and obviously I was totally mismanaged.
Continued on with life for two years after her birth until it hit me. I am five years post op and doing well. My daughter is doing well too.

All the best to you. Remember..ask a ton of questions and above all hook up with some good doctors!

Keep us posted

 

[Shelba]

Christian, that is awesome news!!!! Congratulations!! I thought your wife and you the other day....I was reading some of your earlier posts and it got me to wondering when y'all were going to make an announcement like this.

Once again, congratulations! I hope your wife is feeling well and that she gets to skip the morning sickness. Good luck, keep us posted!

Michele

 

[bvdr]

Oh Christian, what wonderful news! Nothing helps children more than having lots and lots of love in the house. Tell them often and your wife too just how much you love them.

 

[Nancy]

Christian-

How wonderful! Congratulation! Your wife will be taken care of very well by her doctors, I'm sure. And I know that you will be keeping a protective arm around her. God Bless your little child.

 

[Christian]

Hi Christian!

Wishing you both all the best!

7 years ago I gave birth and was noted to have moderate to severe MVP with reguirg. Was always told MVP was not a big deal...to go ahead with the pregnancy.

I am not saying the following to alarm you. Your wife should be with the best 'high risk OB' you can find. They may also suggest bed rest, induce, c-section. All the things that were not offered to me because MVP was
"not a big deal". Found out afterwards.

During the natural birth my BP bottomed out. Like 30/?. Big trouble. Quickly recovered by flipping the bed upsidedown. My little girl was born a 'blue baby'. She quickly recovered with some O2. Otherwise healty 8-lb 10oz! I gained a total of 60lbs, in which 48 was water that came off in less than 5 days. Still, they felt it was not a big deal. I do, and obviously I was totally mismanaged.
Continued on with life for two years after her birth until it hit me. I am five years post op and doing well. My daughter is doing well too.

All the best to you. Remember..ask a ton of questions and above all hook up with some good doctors!

Keep us posted

Thank you very much for your candor. I appreciate the honesty, and won't get unduly alarmed. We have a high risk OB -- two, actually. If there's one base we got covered, it's the doctors.

Did they say what hit you so hard? What caused your MVP in the first place? Jill's MVP is actually sort of weird. She really doesn't have much "prolapse". She was just born with a mitral valve that's oddly shaped (last echo actually showed no prolapse at all, but they still call the condition MVP). I understand regurgitation is regurgitation regardless of the source. Just curious what caused yours.

 

[Karlynn]

Christian,
Congratulations!!!! The first 15 years are the easiest!!!!!!!!

I had 2 babies with my MVP. My first child's pregnancy went incredibly smoothly. No issues what so ever. My second child threw my valve into the pits. I developed some nasty arrhythmia. Her birth was "natural" , but I didn't bounce back too quickly. The arrhythmia continued until I had my valve replaced 5 years (about 3 years too long) later.

One thing I know, is that everyone is different. You've entered just another one of life's crap shoots. You just keep rolling the dice hoping for the best. From what I understand, no one really knows why pregnancy does, or doesn't affect valve issues.

Keep us posted - get lots of sleep (that means you too, because neither of you will in about 9 months).

You have my prayers for a wonderful, healthy, easy pregnancy and the birth of a beautiful child (who'll you want to give away when they reach 16.)

 

[Christian]

Thanks Karlynn. Do you remember what your regurgitation was like?

I'm not a big fan of crapshoots. I need to get over that.

 

[LUVMyBirman]

Hi Christain,

My MVP was most definitley the prolapsing type!

Sounds like your wifes valve may be in better condition. Wish I had a baseline prior to the birth of my daughter. Last one was moderate/severe. And this was ok with my cardioligist???!!! What I know now!

Guess the bottom line is that I entrusted too much faith in the medical community back then. If I would have "done my own homework" things may have been different.

I had a very hairy surgical recovery with the valve replacement. One of the reasons I am so involved today and want help spread the awareness factor.

Congratulations again. Now go enjoy one of the happiest moments of your life! You are on the right track!

 

[Kathy]

What great news! You are in for the experience of a lifetime.

I had my daughter 13 years before surgery and wasn't aware that I had a valve problem.

I I had other problems which necessitated a high risk specialist. I received wonderful care. When I got nervous, I tried to concentrate on the fact that I had chosen the best specialist I could find and that my child and I were in God's hands 24/7.

 

[Heather Fisher]

Congratulations. It will all be worth it in the end. Please let us know how things progress!

Heather

 

[Christian]

I'll be sure to keep everyone posted. Maybe I'll start a thread somewhere here and sort of journal our progress (the Significant Others forum looks a little lonely.

It might help someone else who's in our shoes later on.

 

[dwfreck]

Christian,

Congratulations! I remember feeling giddy. My kids are four and six (almost seven), now, and I still feel giddy sometimes. I have NO IDEA what pregnancy with a failing MV is like, but... How's your heart? Even though you're not carrying the baby, there is still a lot of work and stress ahead for you. Don't forget to take care of yourself throughout the pregnancy, and especially as you get closer to your wife's due date. Your wife will need you at full strength when the day comes.

Good luck with everything.

 

[hensylee]

Christian, I think it would be a great idea to start a running thread (like Dale's show shoveler's delight one). Then by the time the baby is born, he/she would have all sorts of grand parents, cousins, uncles, aunts. We would love following you around.

And the best would be the help you mentioned for others in your same position.

 

[Christian]

Christian,

Congratulations! I remember feeling giddy. My kids are four and six (almost seven), now, and I still feel giddy sometimes. I have NO IDEA what pregnancy with a failing MV is like, but... How's your heart? Even though you're not carrying the baby, there is still a lot of work and stress ahead for you. Don't forget to take care of yourself throughout the pregnancy, and especially as you get closer to your wife's due date. Your wife will need you at full strength when the day comes.

Good luck with everything.

Dale:

My heart is fine, knock on wood. Frankly, I wish I could take on my wife's problem -- I'd feel much better if it was my own body. I'm scared, of course -- I obviously want everything to go smoothly. But I've reached a point where I'm sure we've done everything we can to make the decision. Regardless of what happens, we did the best we could.

Good news for you, too: my wife will make sure the baby is a Buckeye fan.

Henslylee, I think I will post a little journal over in the significant others forum. There really isn't a lot out there when it comes to babies and mitral regurgitation. I'm sure someone will benefit from our experiences, whatever they may be. Maybe my wife will post a thing or two also.