Cardiologist Visit (general & pregnancy update)

[kerri73]

Hey all,

I just thought I'd update you all on my heart & pregnancy issues. Sounds like it's completely out of the question for now... I had a TEE and a (sinny?) (live x-ray) done last Thursday with my new cardiologist, after she was worried about my artif. mitral valve not working from an echo she had done. I guess I have membranes growing over the mitral valve a little, and it's making one of the leaflets stick or not be as effective (the other works fine). I also have some leakage of the aortic valve, and a membrane around the aortic valve that my other cardiologist had been watching (I've known about those two things for a few years).

So I was pretty much told that as long as these other problems are there, that pregnancy would be an especially complicated thing - nothing I want to mess with, for sure (it would be different if we were talking about a healthy artificial mitral valve and the rest of the heart and JUST worrying about the coumadin factor).

So anyway - for now, my cardiologist wants me to have an echo every 3 months to keep a close eye on this mitral valve. Surgery sounds like it's in my future (again) - it's just a matter of when!

Thanks again to everyone for their input along the way!
Kerri

 

[Mary]

Kerri,
I'm sorry to hear you're having trouble with your valve. I understand how that would eliminate the possibility of undergoing a pregnancy-- at least for the time being.

How long have you had this mitral valve?
Mary

 

[kerri73]

Thanks Mary - the valve has been in there for almost 8 years now. Other than it being at an angle, that's the first I'd heard of it not functioning as well. Guess I'm glad I switched doctors!

 

[Karlynn]

Kerri, sorry to read your news of your pregnancy plans. What's that saying? "Life is what happens when you make other plans." I think we valve people are used to that. I know you have many blessings coming your way.

 

[MichyB]

I'm sorry to hear about your news. Sounds like you are getting good care now though so ... first thing's first.

 

[geebee]

Kerri,

I am certain everything will fall into place and you will find out the reason for the "hold".

I will be praying that YOU are healthy and stay that way. Your children will come to be eventually and it will be worth the struggle and wait.

Hugs and peace to you.