About 6 months ago, I asked my heart doctor if I would start trying to have a baby. I am 25 years old and really want kids, well he told me that it was okay to start trying. Well now I am pregnant and I just seen an OBGYN and she told me that if my heart wasnt better then my last eco I would really have to get an abortion, or die. My ejection factors are at 40 percent and my left venteral is bad and thats the side of the heart that makes the baby. I have an eco on this monday to see how my heart is doing. I need help, abortions is not something I can live with, I need hope. Thanks Kelly my email is Makenzee2003@yahoo.com

 

 

Hello Kelly,

You have my utmost sympathy.

Unfortunately I do not have a solution to offer, but I will suggest that you see your cardiologist and ask if you can be referred to an electrophysiologist to determine see if you may be a candidate for a biventricular (three lead) pacemaker. The third lead goes to the left ventricles that is functioning poorly and is usually for the purpose of improving an ejection fraction. That may provide some hope for you.

I wish you the best,

Smitty

 

You need a new OB! If your cardio told you 6 mos ago that it's ok to try, I can't imagine that things are as dire as the ob says. She's not a cardiologist and it's not her call what your heart can handle. There are ob's that specialize in high risk pregnancies, but the first thing to do is go back to your cardiologist and have a long talk about the real risks and what you can do to increase the chances of you and the baby both coming out of this healthy. Babies need mommies so you need to weigh the pro's and con's carefully but in the end it's your decision, not the ob's.

Everyone is different and I'm hesitant to even touch both religion and abortion publicly in the same paragraph, but what the heck :o) This is strictly MY opinion and I'm not trying to push my faith or beliefs on you, take it with a grain of salt. Some people can live with abortion and that's their right, I'd never judge them. Me, my body...no way. I thought about this a lot because at one point I was told by a cardiologist that my heart could not handle a baby so I lived in fear of a surprise and being faced with that decision. I'd pretty much decided it's a risk I'd live with because abortion was not something I could handle. (turned out he was wrong, by the way, two other docs told me it was safe and my heart did just fine)

A pregnancy is a gift and I believe in miracles. If I were in your situation, I'd get busy finding an excellent high risk ob and learn all you can, then start praying and have faith. God got you into this and he'll get you through it also. Dr's are full of maybe's and probably's and they know an awful lot, but they don't have crystal balls. I firmly believe that those cases that defy the odds, well, that's just God laughing at the drs because his will is stronger than modern medicine. I have an 11 yr old wild-child daughter who was statistically impossible, some very excellent drs told me I could never get pregnant on my own (hormone issues, unrelated to my cardiac problems). Drs don't know everything and miracles can happen. That doesn't mean be stupid about it and take crazy risks, but faith can work wonders, or at the very least it can help lead you to a decision you can live with.

You have my very best wishes, Kelly. Please let us know how you are doing.

 

Your heart dr is the one I would go rely on!

I had 3 boys. They were concerned about me, but we did c-sections. I was on bed rest w/ all 3 from 5 months on, but well worth it. My 3rd was my hardest...but I was 34yrs then....rather than 21 and 24 w/ my 1st 2. It will be easier on your body if you try to watch your salt and dont eat for 2.

Take it easy. Dont lift anything heavy and DO everything your heart dr tells you. I DO advise a c-section...but that is NO big deal! Your in my prayers.

((Hugs))
Andrea

 

I second what Tracy said. Get going on finding another Dr. ASAP!!!!!! I would take deep some very deep breaths until the two doctors get on the phone and actually speak to one another. You can't be the middle man. They need to communicate to each other...not THROUGH you.

Ask you cardiologist to call your OB personally. Try to be there for the phone call. Let them talk it out and see what they both can agree on.

If your OB isn't interested in consulting with your cardiologist...then she/he isn't a good fit for you. Your OB needs to make you #1....they are in charge of you and that baby.

I certainly believe in miracles. I believe your baby is one. I believe that you are one. Hang in there and encouragement them to speak to each other. Then take it from there.

God works miracles....and sometimes so does medicine.

"It ain't over till the fat lady sings!"
xoxox
W

 

If that were really the case your cardio would have said "absolutely not" to your question of trying to have a baby. One of your doctors need to change and it's not your cardio.
Hoping your heart is super strong and your baby super healthy.
Enjoy being pregnant.

 

Thanks for all your comments they have really helped. I have just been really upset since last tuesday when the ob told me that I just cant get it out of my head. I am a strong believer in God and abortion is something I cant do. I just dont want to die, I have a 7 year old daughter that I had when I was young before I got chf. Her real dad is a jerk and i just cant leave her. I do have to go see a specialist ob dr in two weeks. So please keep me in your prayers and I will keep you all posted. Thank you again for everything I just need help. Thanks Kelly

 

I know I am joining this discussion late but I really must add that there are many pacemaker people who have had successful pregnancies. Even having a defibrillator is not necessarily a reason you can't have a baby. Find an EP (electrophysiologist) or cardiologist and rely on their judgment about your heart.

As for having a 40% ejection fraction, there are cardiologists who would call that "normal." I do not know a single medical study of the heart where 40% would classify your left ventricle as being impaired. (The ejection fraction measures the "oomph" of your left ventricle.) Granted, 40% is not as high as some people, but it's definitely not anywhere close to the danger zone.

I'm not a doc or medical person; I write about pacemakers and have written manuals and guides for all the big pacemaker companies.

But I tell you from all my reading and study ... your baby doc is wrong, not just in scaring you but also in insisting you get an abortion. I would find a good EP or cardiologist and then get a new OB/GYN.

You are by no means the first pacemaker person to have a baby ... you will just need some extra medical support and some extra support from your friends! Good luck.

Pacemaker Writer

 

Hi Kelly,
I would ignore that Obgyn. I am 24 and plan on having kids some day also. My EP told me that when I decide too to seek out a high risk Ob Dr. There are some out there. Communicate with your heart Dr who gave you the ok and see if he can refer you to somebody. I would get more opinions before listening to one Dr.
I pray for your child and I pray for your health through your pregnancy. I will be thinking about you and if you need somebody to talk to more please feel free to send me a private message.

Tammy

 

Today I seen my heart doctor, and we had a really good talk. He told me that the ob doctor doesn't know much about my heart. He told me that he wouldn't of gave me the okay if I haven't been doing so well. I haven't been shocked by my device in over 2 years. He told me that I just need to go and see the specialist ob which i see him next week. I don't think that I am gonna go back to that other ob. She shouldn't of upset me like she did. I feel a little better. I did get a eco done today and I will find my results out on wed. Again thanks for all your support.

 

Kelly, I"m so glad to hear your cardiologist isn't worried! You definitely should not go back to the other ob, you need to have faith that your doctor is putting your needs first. Messing with your head and scaring you is not taking care of you. Best wishes for a healthy pregnancy.