Hello

Hello and I hope this works. I'm posting primarily to just say "Hi" and check in, and to thank Michele for creating this wonderful site. I often felt a little misplaced on some of the other sites, because I felt like since surgery was not an immediate concern for me, it was like I wasn't "that" sick. But this site addresses exactly what I was looking for ... a place to post about what concerns I have in light of my status as a young woman with a congenital heart defect. I have a bicuspid aortic valve too ... actually it's tricuspid but two of the flaps are fused together. It's supposedly at the "mild" stage, but last year I was mis-diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension by a cardiologist who I consulted in order to find out what restrictions, if any, I had. That was one month after my wedding, and it sent my husband and I into a tailspin. Fortunately, we found out a few months later (after every test imaginable) that it was a mistake, and I don't have PH. But I still don't have the answer to my primary question ... can I or can I not get pregnant? After the scare, I put off going back to the doctor for the answer. I'm supposed to go next month. I'm sure there are people out there who have gotten pregnant with a bicuspid, but I wish I knew who they were and if they were scared. There are risks ... even if the doctors tell me I can. So ... I guess I will wait and see what they say and my husband and I will have to talk it over.

I know what it is like to get "those" phone calls. I am 32, and most of my friends are already planning or are pregnant with their second child. I was always the "independent" one who didn't want to get married early or start a family before I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. I just hope now that I know I have something of concern, it is not too late.

Comments

[Hratch L Karamanoukian, MD]

Interesting. Please visit our website DiagnosisHeart.com and our blog.

[Shannon]

Michelle,
I too have a bicuspid aortic vavle. I always new i had a murmur but that was it. It was never looked into. May 2003 I got pregnant. I am young and healthy, should be easy, low risk etc... and it was. Of course except for the gall bladder attack. I carried my baby to term and delivered vaginaly. Nobody ever questioned my mumur.

One year later, because of a great dentist (long story) - I had to visit a cardiologist. Thats when we found out that I have severe aortic insufecency (sp?) They think Pregnancy was what got it 'going' and from there it just continued down hill. I am very lucky that I was able to have such a healthy pregnancy and healthy daughter. And now I am facing surgery and may not be able to have another.

Best wishes :-)

[Annie]

I am 32 with a BAV and researching getting preggers at this time. Mine is a congential defect, mild and thankfully has been mointored. Only thing was a bout with endocarditis at 29. But no big issues seem to be in my way to get pregnant and give birth. My OB and Cardiologist both told me to go for it, just expect extra dr appts, hospital birth - basically a built-in high-risk pregnancy. Perhaps extra bed rest toward the end to help blood flow to the heart. The only advice my favorite cardiologist told me was "don't wait." Meaning, don't put it off ... Good luck!