pregnancy and replaced pulmonary valve

[kurli]

Hi im new on this site. I am 21 yrs old and newly married. I was born with pulmonary stinosis and asd.
I had corrective surgury at age two and 14 months ago i had pulmonary homograft and closure of asd.
I would like to have a child some day preferably before i need the valve replaced again, but am a little confused and scared that I may not be able to cope with a pregnancy.
my cardiologist said before the op that i couldnt carry children but said i should be ok after the op. Its another 4 months untill my next visit when i can ask him these questions and raise my concerns and i'd just like to get some advice from other woman in the same or similar position.
thanks

 

[Karlynn]

Kurli,
Welcome to the site! And congratulations on your marriage!

If I were you, I would do some research and find an OB/GYN that has dealt with cases such as yours - if nothing else but for a second opinion.

Pregnancy is hard on the body - and several of us here in the group had our valve problems surface during a pregnancy. I'm sure it was a case of not knowing how rotten our valves were and then pregnancy pushed us over the edge. A replaced valve that's looking good and doing it's job is another story, but still a tough decision for you. But I know that younger women who haven't had children are going with the tissue valves to keep child bearing more of an option.

Best wishes!

 

[KimC]

Kurli,

You can find lots of info about pregancy and heart valve conditions by searching on this site, or the following American Web sites:

American Heart Association

HeartCenterOnline.com

We've had a few in-depth discussions about the topic here in the VR.com forums. I would start there for some personal stories, then check out the links above.

Karylnn is right, it's a very personal decision. Everyone carries differently, and pregnancy is not a benign condition. Be sure to get more than one medical opinion.

If you focus you heart and your mind on it, you'll find direction. The most important thing is to make sure that whatever decision you make, you'll not only be around afterwards to nurture your child, but ABLE to. It's hard, unrelenting work to raise children. (And joyful, too).

God bless,

 

[Shelba]

Kurli,

I agree with everything that Kim and Karlynn said. Especially the part about finding a high-risk OB who has experience dealing with cases like yours.

My case is different then yours. I am going to have my mitral valve replaced, and I am trying to decide on which valve to get. If I go with the tissue valve, it will be so I can try to conceive. I have been reading study after study, scouring website after website, and I have talked to a high-risk OB. There is nothing like talking to someone who has experience in dealing with the pregnancies of women in your situation.

Congratulations on your marriage, and I hope you find someone that can give you the answers you are looking for.

Michele