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please give me some answers

marlene123
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im 30 years old i have 2 kids.i am 8weeks pregnant.i had a heartattack july of 2005 and i have 2 stents my cardiolgist told me i shouldnt have anymore kids.im very worried and scared.im scared to see my cardiologist because his 1st response will be dont have this baby i was thinking if i should go out and get a second opinion.i was pregnant last year around this time and he told me to terminate the pregnancy?that is something i just dont want to do this time.wha can i do?what should i do? please help

Explore topics in this discussion:

Heart disease Surgery Pain Heart attack Bypass surgery Pregnancy Stress

11 replies

pamkl

Hi Marlene,
You're in a tough spot dear, young heart sis. I think you know that you need to be under medical care so that's probably the first thing to do. If your cardiologist said to terminate last time, he/she will most likely give you the same advice. You could possibly ask your doctor to refer you to a cardiologist that does take care of high risk pregnancies. (?) That would get you the second opinion. Take it one step at a time and those of us who read this will be praying for you.
Pam

martzj

Hey Marlene,

My heart goes out to you. This is the side of heart attack survival only females of childbearing age have to face.

Just a few thoughts.....because this is between you and your doctors. You might get a second opinion as quickly as possible and then make your decisions....because they are multiple. You have 2 children that need you to stay alive and a heart that one cardiologist had already told you cannot withstand and support a pregnancy and you ever again. See what the 2nd opinion offers.

You are in a position now that requires choices be made. Even the decision not to choose is a choice. I wish it were different, but with an already at risk heart time is not on your side. Each day matters now for you and everyone you love.

Best wishes in this difficult time,
Jaynie

heart39

I wish I had answers for you, but I think you have to find these on your own, and quickly.

Definetely find a second opinion. An OB that specializes in high-risk pregnancies would be best.

My thoughts are with you.
- Peg

grace5

Marlene, what an awful position to be in, I can't help, I can only sympathise. I hope someone here wil be able to point you in the direction of an expert in this field.
The biggest hugs to you,
Lidia xx

MMaslek

Marlene,

What a horrible spot to be in!! Get to your cardiologist immediately. If you tell him termination is not an option, he will find what it is you need to do to stay alive for your other 2 kids. Ask him what exactly his concerns are and hear him out before you make a final decision.

Maternal blood volume increases around 40% and he may be trying to tell you that your heart isn't capable of adjusting to the increased volume or he may be trying to tell you that your necessary medication will do unrepairable damage to the embryo.

I was 29 when I had my first HA. 30 when I had my 1st bypass surgery. I had a 2 & a 4 yr old when this all started. They are now 14 & 16 and I live every day in fear that I will not be there to finish raising them. Especially my daughter, 14. My son 16, is more independent but she needs me to navigate the hell that is adolescent life. She had female problems that my husband could never understand & the kid would have gone through hell without a mom to guide her through the gyno's visit. Grandma? I don't think so!! Heartbreak's & boyfriends. Sex & saying no. Friends, backstabbing & picking colleges. Every twinge, every chest pain, every angio, every surgery, my only prayer is "Please let me live to see my kids raised."

Before you make a final decision, find out if both you and the baby will come out of this pregnancy alive and whole because you need to be there for the 2 that are already here.

God Bless you with your tough decision, sweetie. We'll be thinking of you.

Amy

Kennarina

Hello Marlene
What a situation! Of course, by now you know you MUST see your cardiologist immediately.

Being afraid to see him because you don't want to hear what he'll say is an extreme form of denial!

You have heart disease. This isn't a fact that you can just forget about because you are now pregnant. You've already gone through this stress last year - how many more times do you want to suffer this painful choice? Doctors do not lightly suggest 'no more pregnancies' - and as you've been reminded here, you have two children who need a mother who will survive to care for them, so you need to do whatever it takes to minimize your risks of death or disability.

You need to go in to see your doctor very well informed of the specific reasons and dangers of another pregnancy, so research research research.

Please pick up the phone NOW and get started.

Good luck and keep us posted, okay?

XOXOXO


http://www.myheartsisters.org

sunshine3D

One thing I've never been is pregnant. I can't imagine having to "get rid of it"! How horrible.
I feel for you and will be praying for you. God alone has your answers. Ask him to provide a doctor who will listen to you and guide you in WISDOM.
My husband and I have been through alot of things but that is not one of them!
Having a heart condition that required an ICD was a huge deal at 46 but what you are facing supersedes our difficulties. God is able to see you through it!
TRUST Him.

Please keep us informed!

jay73

Go and see the cardio and also ask to see a ob/gyn who specialises in high risk pregnancies. Cardios don't often deal with pregnant women and pregnancy isn't their area of expertise, so make sure you have all the facts before entering into a life changing decision.
Heart disease isn't always a reason not to be pregnant there are many factors including general health and how severe the damage to your heart is. I'm sure there are other people world-wide who have had heart disease and been pregnant.

With the right guidance and careful monitoring I'm sure it will be possible, but don't let the cardio talk you out of it because he/she thinks it will be easier to manage your situation. That said, if the consensus from all the healthcare people is that a pregnancy would endanger yours and your baby's health then I think the decision would effectively be made for you. Future contraception may also need careful consideration too if the advice is still no more pregnancies as it would be unfair to put yourself through this heartache again.

Take Care
Jay

Kennarina

<< "...I'm sure there are other people world-wide who have had heart disease and been pregnant...." >>

Yes, probably. And there are also women (some posting on this very site) who have had heart disease and whose babies died because of it, or who died or became seriously disabled themselves because their hearts could not function with the added blood volume needs of pregnancy due to their heart disease.

Only you and your physicians know the actual risks involved here! Pls let us know what they and you decide.

XOXOXO


http://www.myheartsisters.org

NANCYLOU6

I'M NOT IN THE CHILD BEARING YEARS, BUT DO HAVE TO SAY ALL THE YEARS WHILE RAISING MY CHILDERN I THINK MY BIGEST FEAR WAS NOT BEING THERE FOR THEM, GOD FORBID IF SOMETHING HAPPEN TO ME. IM NOT SURE WHY THAT WAS ALWAYS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND BUT IT WAS. MAYBE BECAUSE I WAS A MOM AND ALL MOM'S THINK OF THIS. THEY WANT TO BE THE ONES TO RAISE THEIR CHILDERN, THEY WANT TO BE THE ONES TO TUCK THEM IN AT NIGHT. THEY WANT TO BE THE ONES TO WATCH THEM GROWN INTO WONDERFUL ADULTS!!!
I GUESS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, I KNOW YOUR EXPECTING, AND ITS A BABY YOU WANT, BUT I'M THINKING OF THE CHILDERN YOU ALREADY HAVE, YOU ALREADY KNOW, YOU ALREADY LOVE COMPLETELY. WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE FOR THEM, IF YOU DIDN'T MAKE IT THREW THIS AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE A MOTHER TO WATCH OVER THEM, TO LOVE THEM, KISS THEIR BOBO'S. HOLD THEM WHEN THEY ARE SAD, SHARE IN ALL THEIR HAPPY MOMENTS. I KNOW YOU LOVE THIS LITTLE ONE THAT IS GROWING INSIDE YOU RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW IT AS WELL AS THE ONES THAT YOUR TUCKING INTO BED THIS EVENING.
ABLESSED OLD WOMAN IN FLORIDA, THAT HAS THREE WONDERFUL DAUGHTERS THAT ARE MY BEST FRIENDS!!!!

kathybg

Dear Marlene-I am so sorry you have been and still are facing such overwhelming difficulties, you and yours are in my prayers. I was considered high risk when I was pregnant w/my 3 children (22-23-24) due to my lifelong heart condition. My Cardiologist followed each pregnancies closely w/my OBGYN & had c-sections w/all 3. I was not only lucky but extremely blessed that all went well. I would have liked another once my youngest started preschool but advised it could be dangerous and life threatening, I risked that w/the 3 I did have. I had a choice to make-be here for my 3 babies God already blessed me with & see them grow up or not. 1st get to a specialist immediately to see if carrying safely is even possible then search your soul, the answers are within you and in the faces of the children you have. God Bless you! Kathy

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