pregnancy with valve?

[Janice]

Hi everyone.
First time posting to the group. I had been tired all my life, but it was only when I was 27 that I found out that it was because I had mitral valve prolapse with severe mitral regurgitation. I did well for some time, but I got significantly worse after the birth of my son 11 months ago. I underwent urgent St. Jude mitral valve replacement 5 months after the birth of my son, after a prolonged surgery with a failed repair attempt. My husband and I were quite discouraged when we found out how difficult and dangerous it might be to have additional children with the new valve and the blood thinners. Has anyone been pregnant with an artificial valve? I would love to hear some stories as my husband and I determine whether we should attempt to have another child.

Look forward to a reply,
Janice

 

[Mara]

Hi Janice-
I have not gotten pregnant with an artificial vavle, I had the Ross procedure in July. I also got married in July. I don't plan to get pregnant. my cardiologist said he did not think it would be "wise" to do so. I have heard that after the Ross Procedure many women get pregnant and do very well, in fact, that it one reason why younger women get the RP as opposed to other vavle surgeries.
Before my surgery, the docs really put the fear in me about getting pregnant unexpectedly. I would have had to go off all meds, go on Heparin and be hospitalized for most of the pregnancy. Plus, there was a high risk I would decompress my heart during delivery. It was not the stress of the delivery but the sudden loss of fluids that could have been devastating.
I know my gynecologist was extremely concerned that I not get an atrificial vavle because she believes that pre-menopausal women do significantly worse during menopause if they have been on blood thinners for a while. I also have a famliy history of bleeding during menopause, my mom and my aunt had hysterectomies.
I think you should get with your cardio and your ob/gyn and figure out what is the best course of action. I would get an ob/gyn who specializes in high-risk pregnancies. (My mom is an RN and deals with women's health issues at Women's Hospital in Indianapolis, so these are all things she and I have discussed.)

My husband and I have decided that we would consider adoption if/when we decided we wanted kids. But, for now we are digging be the coolest aunt and uncle in the world!

Good luck with your decision, i know it must be tough.
-Mara

 

[Gail in Ca]

Hi Janice,
You are like me and lucky to have one healthy child. I had a 2 year old when I had my 1st AVR, with a porcine valve, so in case I wanted another child it would be a possibility. However, after my surgery I decided not to push my luck,( I also had an aneurism repaired). Most of my DRs recommended that I not have another even with a porcine, but
2 thought it would be okay.
Now, that I have mechanical, I wouldn't even consider going thru a pregnancy. I would think the risks of going off coumadin would be great, not to mention what the drugs do to the baby?
You have many questions to get the answers to, good luck. Actually , only children are wonderful!!!! I'm glad I had a good excuse to only have one!
Gail

 

[Marty]

Pregnancy with mechanical valve

Pregnancy with mechanical valve

Janice, Pregnancy with a mechanical valve has been accomplished safely for mother and baby. However it requires sophisticated management by a perinatologist OB specialist and a hematologist.
You must know exact dates because warfarin can cause congenital anomalies between six and twelve weeks so during this period you must go off warfarin and take Lovenox. Then prior to delivery you go off warfarin again and back to Lovenox or perhaps some other form of heparin. All the best...