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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone else with a heart problem and pregnant?

12 replies

stripeykelly · 07/12/2010 18:24

Hello
Does anyone out there have a congential heart defect and are either pregnant, or had a child? And if so could they please tell me about their experiences. My husband and I have been trying for the past few months.
Cheers :)

OP posts:

saltnvinigarcrips · 07/12/2010 19:46

Hello, I don't have a heart problem but thought I would give this a bump. I had a suspected heart murmur and they were very thorough with me. I was given an ECG and an echo (scan?).

My friend had the same thing for a hole in the heart. As far as i'm aware the NHS take excellent care of anyone with complications. What exactly is your concern? Whether you can concieve or sustain a pregnancy?

All the best and I hope you get the answer you're looking for.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 07/12/2010 20:31

I'm currently pregnant with DC2, and had a very rare (but probably not congenital) heart defect diagnosed when I was pregnant with DC1. I think I need to preface any experiences by saying that I find pregnancy really rough and last time found it very difficult to get the support I needed during the pregnancy (perhaps because I was not diagnosed until I was pregnant so had no time to prepare), and so would hate to say anything which would discourage you.

What in particular would you like to know?

happywheezer · 07/12/2010 20:36

I'm off to see a consultant this thursday about my suspected svt. Comes on in pregnancy. This is my second pregnancy, and no probs apart from the super racing heart that I had last time.
No probs in getting pregnant or delivering. Will be waiting to see what consultant says though.

mumnerves · 07/12/2010 22:48

Hi I don't have a heart problem but my friend does. Not sure of major details but she had a hole in the heart when she was young and had to have surgery. Now still suffering from various heart problems. Has now got 2 dds but had to be induced as pre-eclampsia toward the end of her pregnancies. HTH
Good luck with the trying x

phonix · 07/12/2010 23:29

I know it's not the same, but I too was diagnosed with psvt during my teenage yrs. Then the condition pretty much laid dormant until I got pg with DC1. Currently pg with DC3 and the symptoms start earlier and earlier with each pregnancy. Have to say, I have receive(d) excellent NHS care in all my pregnancies with a consultant and a cardiologist assigned to me. No probs conceiving or delivering naturally.

Original poster

stripeykelly · 08/12/2010 19:29

Thanks to everyone. :)

I have TGA (transposition of the great arteries), which basically means I'm plugged in the wrong way round. I've had a couple of open heart ops and have a pacemaker, but lead a very active life and have been given the ok from my cardiologist.

I guess I just want to know what it's like; what level of activity people can undertake during the pregnancy- I have quite a physical job; whether or not they developed complications or not, and how they manifiested themselves? And also how peeps coped with motherhood, ie breast feeding/disturbed nights - Everything!! Part of me is very excitied that we have been given the go ahead, I had thought for a long time it would be a no-no, and the other part of me is terrified. Plus, I'm going to be 31 in a couple of months time, will my age make a difference?

I understand that it will be different for person to person, but it would be nice to get a general idea.

OP posts:

Magic8ballhastheanswers · 08/12/2010 20:15

Hi stripey I have congenital complete AV block and was fine in first pregnancy (heart rate was about 42bpm), had no problems but had a temporary pacemaker inserted for my labour (this was just a precautionary measure as their main concern was that my heart would not be able to cope/compensate if I lost a large amount of blood) I had no problems and delivery was fine. My DC is 4years now...........My rate dropped to 30bpm over the last year so I had a pacemaker in May this year and fell pregnant with twins a month later. Pregnancy is going well and cardio seem very happy with everything...........in my first preg I worked until 38 weeks (commuting each day) and I have been a full time childminder for the last 3 years (very demanding/active)..........I am still working now at 25 weeks but will be giving up work in 3 weeks (but this is because I am huge from having twins not heart related).

Good luck :)

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 09/12/2010 12:07

Well, I've spent the last few years desperately trying to avoid a pacemaker (also AV block) so I may really be acting as my own worst enemy.

I'm tired... perpetually bone-crushingly exhausted and struggling with any form of physical exertion. However, in neither this pregnancy nor with the last have my heart problems affected the actual course of the pregnancy, labour or delivery in any way at all. And after DD was born I got this amazing surge of energy and felt more well than I'd felt in years... it really floated me through all those early months of sleeplessness. Apparently, it's an unexplained but well-known phenomenon in women with chronic illnesses who give birth.

So really, I would encourage you to go for it! But is your DH and/or family and friends around to help if/when you need it?

Magic8ballhastheanswers · 09/12/2010 12:21

Breastmilk I was the same so I feel for you with the tiredness, except I was so used to it I didn't realise (until having the pacemaker), the wake up call was after having a 24hour holter and discovering my rate was dropping to 28 while I was asleep.......cue panic I was going to drop dead in my sleep.

I am SO glad I had it done when I did and I felt completely renewed once I had healed (which took hardly any time at all) It was like the fog had lifted! Then I fell pregnant with twins!

Original poster

stripeykelly · 09/12/2010 17:57

Breastmilk, that is great to hear about the energy surge, and that you had no problems during pregnancy, though the bonecrushing tiredness is a little depressing though not unexpcted. My DH is great, and to be honest is alot more interested and active about my heart defect than I am, and my folks have always been fantastic, very encouraging.

Magic8 did you have any odd or slightly irregular heart beats whilst pregnant? I have noticed that when I am very tired occasionally I get extra or double beats, and wonder if this is something I'll have to put up with on a more regular basis when I'm pregnant?

Thanks everyone, it is great to speak to people who have been through it all :)

OP posts:

Magic8ballhastheanswers · 09/12/2010 19:13

With DD1 I didn't have any irregular/odd beats but I did notice more palpitations which are common in pregnancy but I always mentioned this to my consultant/midwife. I have had palpitations this time but it is just my pacemaker doing its job so I think the double/extra beats you feel when your are shattered might just be your pacemaker, maybe mention this next time you go to the pacing clinic or call them.

BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte · 10/12/2010 10:11

Stripey Sorry to depress you - but bear in mind that it is probably the low heart rate causing my tiredness... you pacemaker will kick in before yours gets down that far.

In terms of the odd beats (though I know you weren't asking me) in my experience, I get no more than usual, despite being far more tired. And as Magic says, the pacemaker again will sort that out...

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