Postpartum Cardiomyopathy

[ClairHumph]

Has anyone else experienced Postpartum Cardiomyopathy??

I gave birth to a healthy 9lb 1oz baby boy 7 weeks ago by forceps.

One week later I was sturggling to breathe and went to the hospital as I knew that something wasn't right.

I woke up 2 days later in intensive care after suffering heart failure with an echo ejection fraction of 15. I spent the next few days on a ventilator as my heart was unable to remove the fluid that had built up in my lungs.

My heart then began to strengthen slightly and I was taken off the ventilation but remained in hospital for another week in a coronory ward.

It wasn't until I was there that my husband filled me in on what had actually happened. Apparently it is very rare but my heart had failed due to me giving birth. On the first day that I was ventilated my husband was told that if my heart reading went below 15 we would be facing a heart transplant.

When I left hospital my reading had increased to 30 and is still improving although the cardiologist cannot guarantee that my heart will fully recover.

I was wondering whether anyone else has had the same experience as me, as the obstetrician that is dealing with my case has never seen it in 17 years of being a doctor.

Thankyou for your reply.

I did bleed a lot during delivery due to a 3rd degree tear and as a consequence my HB level went down to 7.7 and I received 2 units of blood 2 days after delivery.

This is interesting to me as this has not been referred to at all by my cardiologist or obstetrician and could have an impact on whether I have another pregnancy.

I am lucky that I am only 30 and was fit and really well before this happened as I don't know if my heart would have recovered as well as it did.

This may sound wrong but it's comforting to hear other stories about this as not much information is available.

Thankyou again x

Sorry to hear about what happened to you.

But rather than get lawyers involved as some have suggested, I would be grateful for the care and the fact that you are better.

By all means, really research your problem so that you fully know what happened and if there will be problems with future pregnancies, but going down the litigation route will only stress you out.
i had a 3rd degree tear too and my DS had a shoulder dystocia. It was traumatic and scary, nowhwere near as bad as what you describe so just have strength in the fact that you got over it and you have a baby.

I think I read about someone having a similar problem in February's Prima magazine. Might be worth a look? Hope you continue to improve.

realrabbit

Why did you post such a very specific description of your patients case? As you say, you are describing a rare event, and your patient may not be happy if she recognises herself.

If you are concerned that complaints are responded to with 'hogwash' have you looked at ways in your department to address patients complaints in a more meaningful way?