Pregnancy

[jntasm]

Ok so I have a major question for all of you. I am 4 months out from surgery, having my pulmonary valve replaced with a pig valve. I am not in the greatest shape right now and have only been on carvdilol for my heart. And with my luck an accident happened and I am pregnant. I found out from my cardiologist's nurse, and I will be talking to him about this next week. My biggest concerns are my risks. I am only at the most a month along and already from working all day, my legs are extremely swollen by 5PM, they can not get any bigger. My plan's were that once I got a little better and healed more then I was going to have a hysterectomy, but it did not happen soon enough. I just want to know if anyone else has been though this, and if they have any thoughts or advice. I am trying not to get my hopes up for this baby, even though I would love to have it. I have one and that is my blessing, but 2 would be a dream come true. I just can't put my life at risk. Help me I know I am rambling but my thoughts and feelings are all over the place right now. Thanks.

Juanita

 

[Eva]

Hi Juanita,

Sorry that I have no advice at all. Your doctor will be the one who will best advise you as he specifically knows your situation. But, until you see him, I found the following article below and I am sure some members may have more ideal to share:

"No valve-related complications occurred during pregnancy and pregnancy appeared to have no effect on the function of the pulmonary valve autograft or the right-sided homograft. The pulmonary autograft is thus an ideal procedure for a young female needing aortic valve replacement."

To read the whole article: http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2830278

Keep us posted, hoping you fulfill your dream. Best wishes

 

[Lynlw]

Hi, I know it is possible to carry a baby with a PVR, but is your concern because it is so soon after surgery? I think only your cardiologist knows how much your heart can handle right now. I know the drug info says if you are taking carvedilol, to let your doc know if you are preg or breast feeeding, but I don't know what problems it could cause. Sorry I hope you can get some answers soon, did your cards nurse say anything except , "your pregnant"?

 

[abbanabba]

Definitely chat with your doctor and a high risk OB/GYN. I just had my pulmonary replaced (bovine) and my cardio had told me not to get pregnant BEFORE the replacement as this would pose a greater risk than afterward (not that I'm trying, but he wanted to stress how dangerous it could be for me at that time). Clearly it will take some time for you to fully recover and carrying a child may impede that recovery, but it may just mean you require more rest and closer observation. It really is something that only your doctors will be able to advise you on.