Babies: I could use some advice

[heartyone]

OH BOY, A BABY,

I JUST LOVE BABIES.

Congratulations and best wishes to you and your wife for great health now and as you raise the little darling.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Congrats and well done for getting pg so quickly!
My 'baby' is now 17!
I'm sure I had MVP when I was pregnant in 85-86, but didn't know it at the time. After her birth (6 hrs start to finish, natural and pushing for an hour) I was fine, no symptoms.
However, I began to have strange symptoms about 6 weeks later of weakness in my legs when I picked her up and started to walk.
This was intermittant. After she was 2 and I was wondering about having another I went to many doctors to find out about my continuing problem, but none found it to be serious.
I had a nagging feeling that something wasn't right, and finally found a doc who heard a murmur. They found that my aorta was leaking, I had an aneurysm and also what was thought to be MVP. (turns out it is congenitally deformed and now leaking Mod/severe).
So I probably had these when I was pregnant, maybe not as severe, but I breezed thru my pregnancy and delivery.
Be glad they know about her MVP, but I would guess she will be just fine.
Wish her all the best from those of us that have been there,
and I hope it's a girl!
Gail

 

[delvoura66]

Christian,

Congratulations to you and your wife on the new baby. Children
are so wonderful. My daughter was born on Aug. 12, 2001. The
pregnancy went well. There were times when I had shortness of breath but was not concerned. I was diagnosed with MVP after
the birth of my first child. It never bothered me I always seemed
so healthy. The baby was born 3 weeks early and everything seemed fine. I returned to work 5 weeks later and that is when
things went wrong. The shortness of breath became more frequent. Climbing steps was terrible, I was unable to sleep and
needed 3 to 4 pillows. I made an appoint to see my doctor in early October. She made an appoint for me to see a cardiologist.
I never made it. On October 20, 2001 my ankles were severely
swollen because I was in massive regurgatation I went to work on
Monday but the next day I was so weak my dad took me to emergency. I was told the valve had severe stenosis and had to
be replaced or else. Your wife should be monitored closely and
should try to take it easy. It's true everyone is different, but
make sure she is looked after carefully.

 

[delvoura66]

Christian,

My MVP was caused by reumatic fever as a child.

 

[Karlynn]

Christian,
I'm so sorry I didn't see your post addressing me. Must have been one of the times my PC froze up.

I don't know what my regurg was prior to my second child's pregnancy. (I've had 3 pregnancies, the first ended in a miscarriage) Because I wasn't having any issues before my daughter, there wasn't a lot of testing going on. It was also the mid 80's (I think I was 10 or 12 years old. )

What's the saying? "Life is what happens when you've made other plans."

It sounds like you are covering your bases the best you possibly can. You are relying on expert advice and have made an educated choice. Be mindful and watchful, but enjoy this most wonderous experience of life.

My babies are in college now, so I'm starting to think how cool grandkids will be!

Best wishes!

 

[Rain]

Congratulations!!

Congratulations!!

Christian,

When I was pregnant with my baby eleven years ago, my PCP knew I had mitral valve prolapse. She sent me for all kinds testing and diagnosed me with mild Marfan?s syndrome. The conclusion was that I should be monitored closely. I had my baby ?natural? style. But during the birth my heart rate (and the baby?s) was monitored on a screen. I was also given antibiotics.

I believe I?ve had a heart problem all my life. I knew I had a problem when my first two children were born 23 and 21 years ago, but I had not seen a doctor about it at that time. The problem gradually got worse over the course of time. I eventually started having ?atrial fib events?... my heart would all of a sudden start beating a zillion beats per minute. Soooo when I got pregnant again ten years later, I asked my PCP about it. That?s when the tests were done. My mitral valve was replaced with a mechanical one six years after her birth.

Congratulations!! Enjoy every moment.... I love the idea of a journal!! What a wonderful gift for your child. Give Jill our love. I'm excited for you! My children are the light of my life.

 

[Scottie]

Hi Christian

Hi Christian

Congratulations on the baby news ...this is a very special time for you and your wife...I was born with Congential Heart Defects and was advised that babies were not for me ...however we weighed up all the options and decided to give it a go ....I was extremely lucky and had three healthy children ,a boy ,now 18 and two girls 17 and 11. They have given us a lifetime of joy and were worth any discomfort and worry during pregnancy ..During the pregnancies I was closely monitered by both the Baby Drs and the Heart Drs. I had bed rest for each child , usually the last month but I was very tired. I became very anemic and had to have blood transfusions before each baby was born ...but although they planned to do c sections I always went into labour early ( not too early though ) and was allowed to try and deliver myself...which I managed . I was very tired after the births and I would advise you to get your wife some help in the house immediately before and after the birth. But weighing up the pros and cons I would advise you to enjoy every minute of this pregnancy ....indulge your wife and don't worry too much ....a baby is a gift ...which will give you more joy than you can ever imagine .....best wishes
Scottie