Hole in the heart

[amoney]

Hi all,

Little boy (19 weeks) just been diagnosed with a hole in the heart, we are awaiting an appointment to have an echocardiogram to find out how big it is etc but been told this will take up to 4 weeks.

Anyone else on here been through this / has any advice on how to keep sane in the meantime!

Also, was in such a tizz leaving hospital that I didn't ask paediatrician whether it was still okay to do activities with him such as swimming etc, asked gp and he said it would be okay, (but I have little faith in gp) had a look on google but can't find much...anyone with a hole in the heart know what is best? To exercise or not.

Cheers

Hello you, sorry I can't give you advice but I do know that a lot of time when babies are born with a hole in the heart it is because the valves don't close properly but usually over the next few months it will gradually close on it's own.

I hope someone can come along soon and give you more info/advice

My DS had this diagnosis -it does depend on the actual size of the hole. If you have been sent away to wait for an appointment I am guessing they are not too worried. As LL said it is quite common and most are not even diagnosed. My DS exhibited a heart murmur -when he was ill with something else -we went to a specialist for an ultrasound and echocardiogram etc -and nothing to worry about according to the consultant - the hole closed itself so essentially they just grow out of it. Hard not to worry at the time though.

Thanks for the replies that's exactly what happened with us, went to gp about stomach bug and told he had murmur so referred to paediatrician who diagnosed hole in the heart and have referred us again. I'm glad all was well with you, fingers crossed it pans out that way for us too...

Yes, very hard not to worry though! Xx