Very Frightened!!!

[parker04]

I am now 22 weeks pregnant and doing okay. I am very worried about having the baby. I am going to see my Prenatal Dr. tomorrow. I know I have to have a C-section, due to having my aortic root replacement, labor would put to much stress on it. Im so worried because my homograft valve has a lot of stenosis, which happened very fast. I cannot receive a epidural i have to have general anestesia. Also I am very scared because I heard i have to have a central line, this frightens me. I just dont know what to do. I thought everything was going to be okay, now its like Im going in for major surgery. Iam very concerned about my heart and the baby. I live in phoenix so I have a cardiologist here and high risk pregnancy doctors. My last surgery was done at the Cleveland Clinic and thats who i trust. Any suggestions?? Thanks, Lynette

 

[bvdr]

Hi, sorry you are so frightened. A central line is actually a very smart idea for you. Your central pressures can be monitored to protect both you and your new baby. It also may eliminate the need for other IV lines so you won't have to be stuck so often. I know of a few girls who would have loved to have had general anesthesia before labor began so there is a brighter side.

With hearts like we have most medical things have more of a chance to seem like a major event and that will likely continue for a long time to come. It just is the way it is. I hope all goes well for you and your baby and by the steps that are in place it seems that is what everyone is working towards. I'll put you in my prayers that this will still be a joyful day for you. Cyber hugs.

 

[Yaps]

You are in my thoughts and prayers, never having been in your position, but sure can empathise. Hoping all turns out right. Love the pup

 

[Christian]

I don't really have anything to offer but empathy. My wife recently had our first baby under the careful watch of a platoon of doctors. She has severe mitral regurgitation and we were somewhat apprehensive throughout the entire pregnancy. But all went well -- the baby was born safely one year ago with only one complication: his head was too big so they had to pull him out with what appeared to be salad tongs.

My wife is having a mitral valve operation at the Cleveland Clinic in about ten days. Both of us are worried about the surgery and about taking proper care of our baby afterwards. That's just natural. But we try not to focus on the catastrophic "what-ifs." Odds are, everything will be fine.

I'd guess everything will work out well for you too. Hopefully your pregnancy will end as happily as did ours. I wouldn't worry about the central line -- It'll be a blessing if you're having a C-Section. Try to focus on staying rested and relaxed. Your valve function may change for the better after the pregnancy is over. Different doctors come to different conclusions all the time when it comes to echocardiogram results, particularly during a pregnancy; your valve could be functioning better than your doctors in Arizona think. I know this: our local doctors NEVER agree with the Cleveland Clinic doctors when it comes to echo results. Some have acted like Jill was going to die in a week (and that was in 1998). Some act like she'll live forever. Maybe you're experiencing a similar situation.

 

[Phyllis]

Lynette,
I wish you the best for the rest of your pregnancy and look forward to you posting a beautiful picture of you and the baby after the birth. It might make you feel less apprehensive if you contact the surgeon who did the aortic root replacement at Cleveland and run your current situation by him, but it sounds like you are getting the best of care and will be fine.
Best wishes,
Phyllis

 

[Mary]

I don't have any advice but I want to add my hope that you are able to relax and await the baby's arrival with some measure of equanimity.

 

[Karlynn]

It sounds like you will be in expert hands. The central line will most likely be put in after you are under general anesthesia, so you can eliminate that fear. Once it's in, it's not uncomfortable and as Betty said, the best way to monitor your vitals and give meds.

Keep posting here, we're happy to give you some moral support.

 

[geebee]

Just want to chime in with a good luck. It sounds like you are in good hands so please just try to relax and let the doctors do the worrying.

 

[Ross]

It's easy for us to say relax, but we also know it doesn't help to worry yourself to death. This is one of those times where you simply have to let go and let God. I believe your going to be just fine.

 

[Debrinha GT]

Pregnancy after 3 MVRs.

Pregnancy after 3 MVRs.

Hi there Lynette, I know exactly how you feel. I've already had three mitral valve replacements and all with tissue valves. I was trying to get pregnant after my second, but the operation came first and I had to postpone my plans. I thought that was the end for me but only 3 months after my third replacement nearly ten years ago, I was given the OK to go ahead with it. So, six months after the surgery I was pregnant with my now 8 year-old daughter Bruna who was also delivered by C-section and I had no problems. I did have an epdural though, but I wasn't at all afraid because I wanted so badly to become a mother then, that I was willing to take any risks without thinking twice. Now that's me, in the waiting room for my fourth replacement, but quite confident things will go well again. If there's anything else you'd like to know, feel free to contact me privately if you prefer, by sending me a PM or E-mail. I'll be very happy to be of help. For the time being, try to relax and enjoy this such beautiful moment for you and all your family. Take care and Keep us posted, and also make sure you follow doctor's orders.
Débora

 

[Georgia]

Let's hear it for the central line. After I had such a problem in the hospital b/c I didn't have any more veins, my daughter decided she wanted a central line for gastric bypass surgery; they did it and she was delighted. No digging around, everything was slick. I wonder why they're not used more often for ohs? Guess the surgeons aren't aware of lack of veins and don't think of it.

 

[Jkm7]

I awoke from my surgery and when I first started to be aware of anything, I realized they had put a central line during the surgery. I thought it was fine....no discomfort at all and all the (many) times they needed to pull blood, it was a snap. I never felt a thing. I also had IV's at both wrists.

When they pulled the central line, I recall them applying pressure for a while but thankfully there was no problem at all for me. I never felt anything discomfort.


Best wishes for a wonderful rest of your pregnancy and a safe, joyous delivery.

 

[BAV Pt's daughter]

In my experience, most patients have not experienced anything more than an uncomfortable sensation when I've pulled their central lines. While there IS an increased risk of infection associated with them, they also have many benefits. I would be much more comfortable having one in my cardiac patients, just in case of emergency... (These don't "blow" like the peripheral IV lines, which can also run the risk of infection, just not quite as significant b/c they arent so close to the heart... still a risk of sepsis though.) And the plus of no needle sticks for labwork is quite a blessing to all!!!

 

[Mama2Rylan]

Hi!

Hi!

Lynette,

Try not to worry so much, stress is not something that you need right now in your situation. I know it's much easier said then done...

I know what you are going through...not to long ago, I was pregnant and having problems with my heart. I found out about 4 months into my pregnancy that my aortic valve was not handling it very well. I was referred to a high-risk cardiologist that specialized in pregnancy. After alot of tests, I was put on complete bed rest in the hospital. I was about 22 weeks along and ended up staying in the hospital for a couple weeks. They did send me home for a couple more weeks..then brought me back around 30 weeks...they decided that I would have my baby by c-section because a "regular" birth would be to stressful on my heart...so I had general anestesia. I had my son at 33 weeks...so he was pretty premature.

As far as the procedure and all those "lines" they are talking about, it's for the best. I didn't really know what I was getting myself into either..and I was very scared. But now that it's over, I am very grateful that I did the c-section. I had two different lines...one was in my wrist and one was in my neck (the swanz) I'm not sure which one is the "central line"??
but neither one of them hurt... as far as the swanz line goes, I thought it was WONDERFUL!!! The best thing on earth if you ask me...I mean afterwards, when you wake up, they have people coming to take your blood every hour it seems like...and they just take it from your line...no poking or anything!! then if you need any kind of medicine...they just put it in your line! Again..no poking.. and the medicine seems to work faster! When it comes out, its not a big deal either...

I just wanted to let you know a little bit about my experience...if you have ANY questions, please feel free to send me a message...I will be more then happy to answer them. Good luck to you and your little one..you two are going to be just fine

 

[KristiinSD]

My heart acted up during pregnancy

My heart acted up during pregnancy

and I was still able to give birth a couple of weeks early (via c-section) to a healthy 9 lb. baby boy. He's 7 now and the light of my life. It will be okay for you too...The c-section is actually easier on the baby and no mishapened heads either! Good luck to you!

Kristi
mr
surgery in november

 

[MichyB]

Hi. I'm not a frequent poster but just wanted to wish you luck and strength. Christian's advice seems really solid. Try not to focus on the worst case since the news always seems to be a range. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Mama2Rylan]

Another thing..

Another thing..

About your valve that isn't working the best, well you have to remember that when your pregnant you end up with much more blood in your body (I think they told me like half to double what you already had in the body) so all that blood makes the heart work harder, and puts more work on your faulty valve...well when you have your baby, you will loose alot of that "extra" blood...so during the pregnancy, it might seem like your valve is alot worse off then what it actully is...

I know with my experience, they kept telling me my valve was terrible and they thought about doing OHS while I was pregnant...but since there was about 5% chance I could loose the baby, I wanted to wait it out and see if I could make it to a csection first.... well after I had my baby, they ended up waiting over a year before I had to have OHS to fix my AV...

After the baby is out, it takes about 6 weeks for your heart to get back to it's "normal" function... so you should see just how bad your valve really is at that point....