Well, we had our fetal echo this past Tuesday. It was okay. Initially, we were told that the chances of passing ANY heart defect to our child would be about 10%. I prayed for no heart defect but hoped for a "good" one should we find something. The tech took some measurements, left the room, and came back with quite a disturbed look on her face. After I fought the lump in my throat, she told us we had a big baby. That's it? That's what the disturbed look is for? The little one is measuring about 2 weeks ahead of "schedule". No big deal.
Next, the peds cardiologist took a long look at all heart structures and determined that the pictures looked smarmy (that's technical medical term in case you all were wondering). She thinks the valve looks more like a fish mouth (bicuspid) than a Mercedes-Benz sign (tricuspid). While she can't be certain until after the baby is born, she's giving us 50/50 odds on having a baby with a bicuspid aortic valve. Damn, and I was hoping for a Mercedes-Benz.
I was initially quite bummed but quickly realized that the defective valve in and of itself is not a big deal. We could have coarctation, Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries. We might have a BAV, we might not. My husband took it a little harder and wondered what would happen should our child want to go to West Point. Ummm, honey, if he/she doesn't get into West Point, we wouldn't have to be concerned about him/her being deployed to war.
Anyway, I think I've pretty much opted for c-section...just for piece of mind. Hope all is well with everyone!
I got a mechanical valve 12 years ago. I am taking coumadin, and lanoxin. I know what is like to take coumadin, but you have to get used to there is not other option. Sometimes my blood gets very thin too. I get bruises very easily because this medicine. The noise of my valve gets kind of noisy. When my blood gets thick it my valve makes a different sound. I know eating a lot of green vegetables it is not good for coumadin takers. Changing subject, I've read Becky's message. Please tell me about hiperin when having a baby.
Posted by: Madeline | June 03, 2005 at 12:04 PM
I was born with a a bicusp and have very very little issue except a bout with endorcaditis when I was 29. Pretty much nothing holds me back. So even if they have a bicusp, it won't mean it will interfer with thier life. I am researching getting preggers now at 32 - hence my lurking on this site. Cheers!
Posted by: Annie | July 25, 2005 at 05:58 PM