Double mechanical valves and pregnancy

[shilpa]

Hello all, first of all, I'm very lucky to find this community. Reading inspiring life stories and the support you all provide each other, gives me so much positive energy. Today I am writing to get some insight and may be some success stories from all the mothers who had their children after open heart surgeries. I have had my first open heart surgery in 1995 - mitral valve replacement - replaced with StJude mechanical valve and my second open heart surgery is in 2007 - aortic valve replacement - again mechanical valve. I'm on coumadin 5mg ever since and no other post surgical complications of any sort were ever experienced. I am a very active, energetic and healthy woman ever since. I am 30 now and i'm wanting to have a child of my own. Consulted my cardiologist and high risk OB and unfortunately both my doctors did not recommend me getting pregnant. I'm seeking opinion from other doctors. I know there are many risk factors involved. But, I've never had kids before and would love to complete my family with a kid. please share your experiences and throw some light on this topic.
Thanks

 

[carolinemc]

shilpa, did you read the pamphlet they gave you after surgery and got you started on Coumadin. It is not recommended to have a child due to the big chance the child would be born with birth defects. It is due to the medication that it is advised not to get pregnant. You run a high risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects. I did not have children due to the chances of birth defects. I was born with a birth defect of the aortic valve. Had two bypasses 25 years apart and now have mechanical St. Judes leaflet valve and on Warfarin(generic of Coumadin). So do get more opinions, but be aware of the dangers of having a child with possible birth defects from Coumadin. Good luck in your search. And you can adopt a child if you need to as an option. Have a great day and hugs for today.

 

[shilpa]

Hi carolinemc, thank you for your response. I am looking into different anticoagulation options during pregnancy, such as heparin. i have multiple appointments coming up next month with a congenital heart specialist and high risk obgyn. waiting for a positive sign
thanks again for your response.
have a wonderful day

 

[shilpa]

Hi carolinemc, thank you for your response. I am looking into different anticoagulation options during pregnancy, such as heparin. i have multiple appointments coming up next month with a congenital heart specialist and high risk obgyn. waiting for a positive sign
thanks again for your response.
have a wonderful day

 

[Agian]

There was a young woman who posted here, who had a good pregnancy on Warfarin. I don't think the issue is risk of 'malformations', just bleeding. I don't know much about this stuff myself, but I truly hope you find your answers. Take care sweetie.

 

[shilpa]

Thank you agian, I saw that post and it lifted up my spirits. I hope to find some answers too. Keeping faith. lets see whats there for me in the journey of life.
take care.

 

[mom2angel]

Shilpa, I have had two successful pregnancies and two miscarriages all while on Coumadin, with a mechanical mitral valve. I have a healthy 10 year old son and a healthy 5 year old daughter. They were born healthy, with no birth defects.
Being pregnant while on Coumadin is a very controversial topic. I went to three different doctors and received 3 different opinions on the risks and what route to take, etc. I decided to stay on Coumadin the whole pregnancy, while under the care of my cardiologist and high risk OB. It is a risky thing, and something to not take lightly. Thankfully, it all worked well for me. However, not without some detours, which I expected. I did bleed internally after both C-Sections and ended up in ICU receiving blood with both of them. Both deliveries turned into extended hospital stays for me, but again, I expected that.
I had my first open heart surgery aqt 2 years old and the second at 13. I am 37 now. I've been on Coumadin for 35 years, so I'm used to these extended hospital stays. Sounds like you were pretty young when you started your heart surgery adventures too.
My advice is to get a second or third opinion if you wish. Do your research, pray, etc. In the end it's risky, but you'll know which choice is right for you. I wish you all the best.
Jill

 

[shilpa]

thank you for sharing your story mom2angel. Yes, i am seeking different opinions and am ready for those extended hospital stays, if necessary. My second cardiologist, whom i had an appointment with seeking 2nd opinion, advised me to go for a stress test and see how my heart would respond when stressed. Did your doctors prescribe this test while you are planning your pregnancy? I'm taking my stress test in couple days. Following that test, i have an appointment with a different high risk OBGYN for second opinion. I hope everything turns out just fine. May i know your dosage of coumadin while you were pregnant and your dosage now please?
Thanks again for the post.
Shilpa

 

[mom2angel]

My doctors did not do a stress test before pregnancy. I do have yearly echos though. I have taken 7 1/2 mg daily for probably at least 15 years before I got pregnant. I was blessed that my dose stayed the same so long. There were slight variances of 1/2mg or so. When I was pregnant with my son, I went up to 12mg daily. Then down to around 10mg after pregnancy. With my daughter, I think I was around 13 or 14mg daily. (She is now 5 years old. We are done having babies, due to the complications with both deliveries.) I am now on 11mg daily. I do take a high dose, but I've been on Coumadin for 35 years, and this dose keeps me at 3.0-3.5, so it works for me. I know the studies say that much in pregnancy is not good. We were blessed with two healthy babies despite the studies. It took a whole lot of faith and research. Do your research and do what works best for your family. I wish you all the best.

 

[shilpa]

Thank you very much mom2angel for the information. You are blessed. Congratulations on everything.