![\"\"](\"\/Images\/sara-bloomfield.jpg\")
\nSara & Matt Bloomfield (Chicago, Illinois)<\/p>\n
Lately, there have been a lot of patient comments and questions posted about pregnancy and heart valve disease. To extend this discussion, I wanted to share with you a fantastic email I just received from Sara Bloomfield. Sara writes to me:<\/p>\n
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\nSara & Matt Bloomfield (Chicago, Illinois)<\/p>\n
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I have a bicuspid aortic valve<\/a>, dilated aortic root, and coarctation of the descending aorta. Like many other women with valve conditions that are hoping to have children, pregnancy has been an ongoing topic with my cardiologist throughout my life. The conversation was left open after each visit as it would depend on the state of my heart at the time I was ready to have a baby.\u00a0 After getting married last year, my husband and I were ready to address this.\u00a0 Based on the function of my valve and root, I am considered to be in the “grey zone” for pregnancy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My valve function is considered to be moderate and my ascending aorta is estimated to measure between 4.7-4.8 cm (which has not changed in the last six years).\u00a0 The coarctation of the descending aorta is also considered mild. After performing a stress test evaluation, my cardiologist consulted a group of colleagues at The Mayo Clinic and agreed that they felt that I would be able to handle the pregnancy.\u00a0 They warned me that pregnancy could result in a need for intervention (risk of ~25% or less) and potential bed rest.\u00a0 These were risks that my husband and I were ready to take and I’m happy to report that we are now 18.5 weeks pregnant. We are are expecting a little girl!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n![\"Ultrasound](\"\/Images\/Baby-Bloomfield.jpg\")
\nBaby Bloomfield Is A… Girl!!!<\/p>\n