WATCHOUT!
03-28-2008, 06:59 PM
Hi!
Here's my story...I have had many medical problems over the years, but was just diagnosed with Mitral Valve regurgitation 2 months ago. I am 35 years old with two kids and would like to consider another pregnancy. My first pregnancy was good, afterwards I felt sick, heart beat was faster, but seemed to get better a couple months postpartum..by child number 2..I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and was put on beta-blockers due to my rapid heartbeat. I have never been able to get off the beta blockers and then found out after having an echo done that I have mild regugritation. I am wondering if there is anyone out there that knows, DOES MVR get worse after pregnancy and stay that way? I don't want to make the problem worse and then put my life in danger. I have two kids already, but feel there is someone missing in my life. Any opinions would be appreciated. I have thought about adopting as well and am weighing both options. Just trying to figure out what to do, as I don't want to regret not having more kids down the road. Thanks!
Here's my story...I have had many medical problems over the years, but was just diagnosed with Mitral Valve regurgitation 2 months ago. I am 35 years old with two kids and would like to consider another pregnancy. My first pregnancy was good, afterwards I felt sick, heart beat was faster, but seemed to get better a couple months postpartum..by child number 2..I was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid and was put on beta-blockers due to my rapid heartbeat. I have never been able to get off the beta blockers and then found out after having an echo done that I have mild regugritation. I am wondering if there is anyone out there that knows, DOES MVR get worse after pregnancy and stay that way? I don't want to make the problem worse and then put my life in danger. I have two kids already, but feel there is someone missing in my life. Any opinions would be appreciated. I have thought about adopting as well and am weighing both options. Just trying to figure out what to do, as I don't want to regret not having more kids down the road. Thanks!
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hopesprings2
03-28-2008, 11:00 PM
it is hard to say what will make it act up since it seem like so many different things for different people
you really need to ask your doctor
you really need to ask your doctor
Mileena42
03-29-2008, 01:05 AM
Since you know you have MVR I am assuming you had an echo and by extenstion have a cardiologist. If not, then you need to see one. Ask him all your concerns about becoming pregnant. From what I know about it, I think it can be done, and since you say it is "mild" thats a plus for you.
Of course no one can answer all your questions and concerns except your doctor, and he would also have all your information to help him to help you. The only really sound advice I can give you is....I wouldn't become pregnant before talking with my doctor and weighing all the risks. It may be of no concern at all, and it may be since you had some discomforts with the last one.
I wish you all the luck!
Mileena
Of course no one can answer all your questions and concerns except your doctor, and he would also have all your information to help him to help you. The only really sound advice I can give you is....I wouldn't become pregnant before talking with my doctor and weighing all the risks. It may be of no concern at all, and it may be since you had some discomforts with the last one.
I wish you all the luck!
Mileena
WATCHOUT!
03-29-2008, 04:12 PM
Hi again!
I have seen a cardiologist in the past and my regular doctor says it is ok if I wanted to get pregnant again, but I would be considered high risk. My feeling is that I want to know if anyone out there has ever had this problem before becoming pregnant and if they got worse, say going from mild to moderate AFTER pregnancy. I am so torn right now on what to do...I have extremely easy kids..though I know after pregnancy I get sick, and stay that way at least a year. Since I have other kids already, I just don't want to be selfish and have more kids possibly endangering my life. I know I am willing to take that risk, I just don't want to further damage my heart and my current kids not having a Mom. Doctors in the past have told me things and have been wrong often...so I trust myself and others who actually have gone through things themselves. I have a great Dr.now, but still prefer to hear what opinions others have on things. I see my Dr. regularly so I know I can, with lots of supervision, be pregnant..but SHOULD I...? just the tough question right now!
I have seen a cardiologist in the past and my regular doctor says it is ok if I wanted to get pregnant again, but I would be considered high risk. My feeling is that I want to know if anyone out there has ever had this problem before becoming pregnant and if they got worse, say going from mild to moderate AFTER pregnancy. I am so torn right now on what to do...I have extremely easy kids..though I know after pregnancy I get sick, and stay that way at least a year. Since I have other kids already, I just don't want to be selfish and have more kids possibly endangering my life. I know I am willing to take that risk, I just don't want to further damage my heart and my current kids not having a Mom. Doctors in the past have told me things and have been wrong often...so I trust myself and others who actually have gone through things themselves. I have a great Dr.now, but still prefer to hear what opinions others have on things. I see my Dr. regularly so I know I can, with lots of supervision, be pregnant..but SHOULD I...? just the tough question right now!
hrschk
04-02-2008, 04:39 PM
I had an echo 3 weeks ago and met with my cardio yesterday about the results - basically my heart appears normal with mild regurgitation - that they are not concerned about nor requires any treatment AND will not affect my pregnancy in any way. I am currently 11 weeks pregnant - I specifically asked my cardio and he said he saw nothing in my "abnormal" holter from January (which showed over 2,000 premature beats and over 1,200 "pauses" of under 2.5 seconds in a 24 hour period), his physical exam of me, the baseline EKG, and the Echo to indicate any cardiac issue......told me to go have a healthy happy pregnancy and enjoy my new baby! I would still check with your cardio person to be sure - as we are all different and have different issues - but, without any other heart issues - I would bet that a mild regurgitation will not be impacted by pregnancy - or vice versa! Good Luck!
WATCHOUT!
04-04-2008, 02:53 PM
Thanks for your thoughts...I do have other medical problems, none of them life threatening, anemia on occasion, allergies, thyroid problems, but the heart issue is the one that keeps from having more kids. I am going to be 36 this summer and KNOW my time is running out to have any more biological kids. I keep going back and forth on whether to have more. I just don't want to have regrets nor do I want to put my life at risk. My husband and I have decided to give ourselves till fall to make the decision..so at least we have a deadline. He wants to get a vasectomy soon...since he will be 39 this summer. He would love more kids for sure but feels he wants to close that chapter of our lives so he doesn't have to fear an unplanned pregnancy and concerns of possibly getting me sick with my heart. I am hoping we can decide here soon.LOL We still are weighing the idea of adoption, so we got a lot of thinking to do. I do know if I can get rid of the anxiousness of the "unknown" with my heart and just have another child already, I know I will be happy I did. But right now, after 2 pregnancies, in my mid 20's I realize its a whole new world being in my mid 30's. I guess only time will tell!
hrschk
04-05-2008, 09:58 AM
Well, good luck with your decisions! Check with your cardio - get a piece of mind on your heart - regardless of your child decisions and then you can be in a relaxed state of mind to make your decisions. As a side note, I have 4 children (24, 19, 16 and 10) and am 42 years old - expecting this fall! So, sometimes the window of opportunity to conceive naturally is wider than we thought! We weren't trying - we're "not careful" ONE time and I became pregnant! Something to be said for "old eggs", I guess! Whatever your decision - I hope you get piece of mind with your heart as I know how frustrating and scary that can be - and if you decide to try to conceive - I wish you the best and a happy, healthy pregnancy!
WATCHOUT!
04-05-2008, 01:53 PM
WOW...how wonderful to have that many kids. I guess for me it is good that I have the issues I have, If I had no complications..I most likely would have had more kids then I could fit in my house ;-) I just moved to a brand new home just back in '06 to have space for more children. I only have two boys, almost 12 and 10 (in the fall). I feel like a crazy person some days since I keep over guessing whether I should or shouldn't. I have looked extensively into adopting as well...of coarse if I were extremely healthy..I would be pregnant again AND adopting. It would be an easy decision. I know many people who extend their child bearing years out that far..for me I just want to complete my family in the next 2 years...the biological ones that is..as far as adopting..I am happy with the idea of many more years. I am so happy for you that you are able to have another baby. It is amazing how much different one thinks about pregnancy at different ages..when I was in my 20's I was so nervous...now in my 30's I wouldn't be...and I could bet if I did have one in my 40's it would even be easier on me...just knowing who we are as women and having our life in "order" makes things a lot simpler. Congratulations to you though on your little one...just think how much fun it is going to be to have a cute "new" baby! :) Thanks so much for the encouragement...I want so much to do the right thing for my entire family..my boys have been begging me for another sibling for a good while now. They have always been such good boys...so helpful, relaxed, calm, sweet, gentle kids. I know with them and my equally calm, sweet husband, I will be the queen as always before, during and of coarse after. I don't have the typical aggressive guys, I live with very loving, very doting men..so I know I will be taken care of. It is going to be a difficult decision..but you give me hope to know that there are others out there that have similar struggles yet ARE having babies. So thanks and again...enjoy your pregnancy and that sweet baby. God Bless!