Melinda Gets Pregnant Before Heart Valve Surgery!
Over the past few months, several patients have written-in about pregnancy, child birth, heart valve disease and the complex issue of… surgery timing.
In fact, this morning I received an exciting email about Melinda, her new husband, her bicuspid aortic valve and her pregnancy. I thought you might enjoy reading about Melinda’s approach to having a baby before before heart valve replacement surgery. Here is what she writes:
Adam,
I was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve about 21 years ago. I’m now 39 years old and I’m 6 weeks pregnant!!!
I have been having semi-annual check ups with my cardiologist for about 4 or 5 years now. The cardiologist has been monitoring me closely so that the timing of my replacement surgery is as best as it can be.
After the cardiologist read my most recent echocardiogram he was concerned so he sent me for a TEE. The results of both tests concluded that my time was coming near (as in the next 18 to 24 months). During our conversation, the possibility of having a baby came up. I just got married in May and my husband and I wanted to get started on a family, given that we are both 39.
Fortunately, my cardiologist was agreeable to me getting pregnant. He said that if we’re going to try to get pregnant then it should be soon. So, fortunately on the first try, we got lucky!
My doctor says that I should do fine throughout the pregnancy, but soon after the baby is born, I have to have my aortic valve replaced along with a portion of my aorta, as it is slightly enlarged (4.2 cm). I recently visited with a cardiothoracic surgeon who will most likely perform my surgery.
Anne’s Baby: 6-Week Ultrasound
The surgeon agreed that at my current state, I should do fine through my pregnancy. Today, my husband and I went for our first prenatal appointment. The OBGYN was more concerned about my high-risk pregnancy than either of the two cardiac specialists.
I’m already a high risk case because of my age. The bicuspid valve just escalates my risk. I’m a trooper though. I’m confident I’ll do just fine with the team of doctors I have working with me. Other than my defective heart valve, I am a picture of good health. I don’t smoke, I’m not overweight, I’m very active (I was running 4 miles about 4 times a week, but the doctor said no more to that… only walking from here on out).
I tell you all of this because I thought you might find my story rather interesting. I’ve been following your blog for over a year now. I’ve never posted anything… I just really enjoy reading what is going on with everyone else in the world of heart valve surgery.
I really appreciate the work you do and I hope that you will continue. Your site has really helped me sort out some of the decisions that I have to make about my surgery. It has also made me feel at ease knowing that there are so many success stories out there.
I’ll be happy to share my experience with you throughout my pregnancy and surgery. I don’t think there are too many of us heart valve patients getting pregnant with heart valve replacement surgery in the near future. Let’s assume that my story will have a happy ending and this might help others.
Your friend,
Melinda
Tampa, Florida
P.S. To leave a message for Melinda, please click here.
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July 31st, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Melinda,
That is a great story! Please do keep us up-to-date on what happens! Could you name your child something related to your surgery?… how about Aorta for a girl and Bicuspid for a boy? Haha! Keep up the exercise - walking should be about as good as running. I wonder if you’ve thought about how long you want to wait between delivery and heart surgery… you want to be strong for the surgery, and you want to have things kind of settled down and in a routine with the baby, so perhaps a little bit of time in between would be good. And please take time to research tissue vs mechanical valves so you can make the best decision for your particular future. Best of luck; and again, please let us know everything!
Sean
July 31st, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Hi
I have mitral valve prolapse and I was supposed to get married in the fall 09. I had an echocardigram done and my mvp has gotten worse. The md stated that I need to have my valve repaired and I am in my 30’s and I want to have more children this news was unexpected and a little scarey.
kw
July 31st, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Melinda, I too have a bi-cuspid aortic heart valve. I see my cardiologist every year. My murmur gets louder each year. I am due to see him next month. I just want to give you some words of encouragement by telling you that I have 3 children and had my last one at age 40, three years ago. I’m glad you are sharing your story. You are not alone. Best wishes. Leticia
July 31st, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Melinda - thanks so much for your posting! I too am just following this blog, however I’m in a similar situation to you and will be needing a portion of my aorta replaced (it’s also enlarged) and my valve repaired - however this is prior to surgery. I definitely want to follow your experience and get any thoughts/advice that you may have. Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on the baby! I will keep you in my thoughts!
July 31st, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Melinda:
Congrats on your marriage and pregnancy! I just had my bicuspid aortic valve replaced and part of my aorta, too! I chose the Medtronic porcine valve. All my follow ups say it is doing well. My aneurysm was 4.2cm, also. I’m about 7.5 weeks out from surgery and am doing well. I teach school, and will be returning in another month. My surgeon preferred for me to wait until 3 months after surgery to return to work. Good luck and I’ll be watching for your postings.
Denise
July 31st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Melinda, best of luck to you. Where do you plan to have your valve surgery done? I live in SW Florida and am not sure yet where I’ll go. Thanks
July 31st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Fran,
Not sure if you have checked our Heart Valve Surgeon Database yet. But it might help you locate a surgeon in Florida. Here is the link:
http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeon-database.php
Keep on tickin!
Adam
July 31st, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Hi Melinda,
That story really put a smile on my face. I had mitral valve repair surgery 2 months ago - just shy of my 32nd birthday. I would love to have a family in the next few years and think that your experience could dispel a lot of fears that women have about pregnancy and valve surgery.
Best wishes,
Elaine
August 1st, 2009 at 12:07 am
Melinda,
You will do great! Stay positive! I too, have aortic valve issues and may be facing another heart surgery soon. I had my first surgery at 11 years of age and the second about a year and a half ago at the Mayo Clinic (I am now 32 years old). I had sub-aortic stenosis, which they removed, but the valve is now regurgitating more and causing some problems. I have two little girls, whom I had prior to my second surgery. I, like you, am a very active person and had to take precautions during both of my pregnancies and delivered both by planned c-sections. Try to keep up healthy eating and exercising within your limits and your pregnancy and delivery will go much more smoothly.
I’ll be thinking of you and wishing you the best. Heart surgery is definitely not the end of the road. Just a little detour in life. I am actually thankful for the experience. It’s amazing how little you take for granted after such an experience!
Best Wishes,
Cheri
August 2nd, 2009 at 7:26 am
when i first joined this blog i was surprised to hear how many people like myself needed this surgery and all the similar anuerysms and valve problems,im 46 years old. now i cant believe all these women in their 30s needing it too !until youve researched it, you feel like how did this happen to me? then you realize its common and easily(so to speak) repaired! good luck to all! this is my one year anniv. of them finding my aneurysm.im happy to be alive today!!!!!!!! thanks jeff jeffstoveken@yahoo.com
August 13th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
Melinda,
I just wanted to let you know that your story touched me. I’m 28 yrs old, and just got married this last April, 2009. My husband Mike and I are starting to think about having a baby soon, and it’s been a big decision as I have had 3 open heart surgeries due to congential coarctation of the aorta, and anticipate having my AV replaced at some point in my life. Hope all is well and the pregnancy went (or is going well), your story was inspiring~
August 16th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
my wife’s cousin had open heart surgeries too and her doctors advised her not to get pregnant. im not sure if maybe her being on coumadin played a role in that? by the way, kimberly,why so many surgeries? jeff jeffstoveken@yahoo.com
September 8th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
i have sub-aortic stenosis in 22 years old and im scared me and my fiance’ are now going to start trying to have a baby , but to my disadvantage i have no insurance , there for i cannot get check by a cardiologist , how did your pregnancy turn out? did you have to have surgery right after? hows the baby? oh and congrats on marriage!
i would greatly appreciate a responce, i thought i was alone with this
October 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hey Melinda
I was just wondering how everything is going with you and your pregnancy. I too was in your situation. I was born with aortic stenosis and at the age of 14 I had my aorta repaired. I am now 28 and just had my second child 6 weeks ago! I was told after having my first child in 7/30/09 (yes my kids are 13 mos apart!!) that I needed my valve replaced soon so I could either have my valve replaced at that time or if I wanted more children that I had to start trying right away. Both my pregnancies went well….although I did have to be on lasix for both pregnancies. My obgyns also were far more conerned with my condition than my cardioilogist was. So now six weeks later I am having my aortic valve replaced in two days!!!
October 4th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Hi Melinda,
I am post Ross procdure and during my pregnancies I was followed by my cardiologist and OB more often than usual. I have 2 children, 4 & 8. I am now 38. I found out about my condition when I was 18 and was told by my 1st cardiologist that I would have to have all my children by 28y.o. I did not feel comfortable with that, so I went to seek a second opinion. I stayed with my 2nd cardiologist till today. I agree with Adam, that everyone is different. Your body/symptoms and data collected will let you know when it is really time to have your surgery. GOOD LUCK with your pregnancy/pregnancies.
October 4th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Sarah,
I too have two small children ages 4 and 9 weeks - I am having my aortic valve replaced on Oct 14. I am glad that there is another young mother out there like me dealing with this. I am concerned about lifting my baby afterwards and how long it might take before I am comfortable bathing him etc. Dr. says I will have no restrictions after 6 weeks, but that is an awfully long time in my book. Praying that your sugery goes well!
October 14th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Rebecca-
My surgery went ok….although ten days later I am still in the hospital due to some post surg complications. The worst part of it all is that I am not able to see/hold my children. My md told me that I too will have lifting restrictions but she said I could feed my baby if someone puts them in my arms and I have plenty of arm support with pillows. Praying your surgery goes well too!!!!
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I am a 26 years old and I have had 5 heart surgeries a balloon catheterization a steins, 2 mitral valve repairs and then in 2003 they ended up replacing my mitral valve with the st. Jude valve my husband and I have been together for seven years and would love nothing more than to start a family of our own. Is there hope for us to have a normal healthy baby? my cardiologist said it would be OK to have kids. He was a pediatric cardiologist I have seen for the last 22 years until this year when he said he can’t see me anymore because I am to old. LOL! so now I am stuck with all these questions and looking for a new doctor Its all kinda scary. does anyone have a success story that might give me some hope
January 2nd, 2010 at 10:44 pm
I am 32 years-old and was born with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis. I had a balloon valvotomoy when I was just five years-old. As a teenager I was told by doctors that I would probably need valve replacement sometime in my forties. I had my first baby three years ago I tolerated my first pregnancy very well with a planned c-section, however I developed a heart arythmia during the pregnancy. I am still taking a beta-blocker to control it today. I just found out that I’m pregnancy again. I am excited, but very, very nervous. I am happy to hear that there are other women out there experiencing similar issues because I usually feel like I’m the only one.
February 25th, 2010 at 6:50 am
Hi Melinda,
Hope things are going well for you. I also live in Tampa, Fl. and I was looking for a good cardiologist who works with patients that have congenital biscuspid valve stenosis. Who is your cardiologist and I think you mentioned you had a surgeon in mind and where is he located? It is important to have a doctor you can talk to. Linda