Any MNers with congenital heart defects or experience of it, or any cardiologists out there, could I please pick your brains..

[insertwittynicknameHERE]

I was born with an enlarged heart and a leaking mitral valve, I have been for an echocardiogram today and the cardiographer (is that even the word for them?) said that one of my other valves has started to leak also. He didn't elaborate as to why. I have a bit of a wait to see my consultant now (sometime in June I believe) and I need some questions answered.

Will/Can this affect my ability to give birth naturally? (I am nearly 22 weeks, and I had an epidural with DD so all seemed fine then)

Will/can this affect my ability to have any more DC, I would love 4, but have a feeling I may have to stop at 2

Is it possible that this is what is causing my severe breathlessness?

I did ask these questions but he just kept saying that I will have to speak to my consultant. TBH he seemed more interested in me agreeing to coming in for students to practice on me as apparently I produce good pictures/images (I said yes of course though)

I do have many more questions but I have a lot going around my head at the mo so cant remember them

Thanks for that stan - I've heard good reports about the team at the QE, didn't realise it was the same surgeons though. It's the control thing I'm having issues with; like witty's mum I'll still want to be sitting in on her appointments/kipping next to the bed when she's 30 I think.

Saggar, lol my mum does still sit in on my appointments, it used to drive me a bit crazy when I was 18/19 etc but now I love the fact that I can ALWAYS rely on my mum.
I understood more about how she felt once I had had DD lol.

DH is useless at hospital appointments and stuff like that and he winds me up just being there as he is always on edge about how long we end up waiting. My mum and I are so used to it and just get on with it. I would much rather have mum there than DH, unless I am giving birth then it is DH and my dad as mum would be useless lol. (I have been in and out of hospital from the day I was born with various problems)

Anyway I am just getting mine and DD's swimming stuff ready for later and I am then gonna be on the phone trying to sort this out.

Okay then, I have called my cardiologists office and spoken to a secretary who still is not able to give an appointment until June. But she did say she will get together with my cardiologists actual secretary and see what they can do, she is going to ring me back later on today.

I rang and spoke to a lovely secretary in Leeds and she has taken all my details and the details of my cardiologist consultant that I see here locally. She is going to speak to the consultant in Leeds and see what he says and get back to me.

I will see what I am able to do today and if no joy from my actual cardiologist I will speak to the PALS people tomorrow morning. Also depending on the outcome today I think I will ring and speak to my ob consultant to see what he says (wonder if he could make the referral to GUCH for me??)

I feel so much better just knowing that there are some people who understand what I am asking/saying and are actually trying to help me.

I think the ob consult probably could refer you witty, but hopefully Leeds will just call and give you a soonish appointment. Hope you start to get somewhere with it.

Am nodding along with you about your dh - mine paces - up and bloody down all the feckin time - it drives me nuts and dd too. She likes him there when she wakes up after a GA but all but tells him to sod off beforehand

lol at your DD telling your DH to sod off, I feel like telling my DH to do that sometimes. Although TBH he doesn't come with me much anymore unless it is something serious hence why he was only there at DD's birth. Even then he was a PITA lol.

I managed to get an appointment for the 30/3/09, so I am happy with that, and if Leeds are able to see me as well then all the better but I would just be happy with some info over the phone from them TBH.

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and probs with 2 valves.I have one ds aged 14 and got pregnant in 2001 I was co-erced into a termination as no 2 doctors could agree only be told later that i could have gone ahead as I had had the heart probs since a child and so they were there when ds was born.So be v careful and get a definitive answer and a really good supportive team.Even as recent as 2 yrs ago my docs were saying i could have another with close hospital supervision and my heart is quite seriously damaged.We decided against it because of what happened last time but you should check it all out xx

Noddy, what an awful thing for you to have to of gone through.

I must admit I am thinking about leaving it at only 2 DC as if this pg has caused the other valve to leak then I cannot risk my health/life when I have DD and this lo to think about. As much as I want 4 DC, I am happy with 2 and very lucky to have them.

I am really pushing for decent care from my cardiologist and if I don't get it I will do what I have to do in order to get the care I need.

Thank you.

Great to read you have a sooner appointment and that Leeds are being helpful too.

Hello op

I got referred to cardiologist (and got quick app) by my Obs consultant. This was during first pg a few years ago (previously hadn't seen cardiologist since early 20s). Maybe try through GP if not obs consultant - they might have better luck getting appointment on your behalf. Especially if you are breathless etc..

I am 30 wks pg with 3rd and have found last 10 weeks always hard - breathless climbing stairs etc.... this is also because I have low blood pressure and low iron (so not just CHD!).

Only a Cardiologist can tell you how your problem affects heart and give recommendations.

Mine just said I need antibiotic cover for any type of labour.

Yay for an earlier appointment. That's not too far away is it? Let us know how you get on witty.