Hi everyone! I am 31 years old and have severe mitral regurgitation that was diagnosed shortly after I was born. Well, actually, to be accurate, they first thought it was a hole and later diagnosed it as MR. Despite the severity of my MR, my heart is very strong and handles the extra stress very well. I have lived symptom-free my entire life and have always been very active. In fact, for years, I was a competitive swimmer. I was told several years ago that I should not/could not have children. At the time, I was not thinking about having children yet, being one of many women of our generation who wait until they are close to or into their thirties before they consider the possibility of children. But still, the thought of never having the opportunity to have a baby naturally upset me.
Luckily, I sought an opinion from another doctor (at the Cleveland Clinic) who (eventually) told me that it was ok to try and explained the possible risks to me. Last October, without complications, (but with many doctors) I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. I feel very lucky to have him. It was quite a journey getting there and I am happy to share my experiences with you.
Last week, I was told that it's time for surgery. They feel that there is a good chance they can repair the valve, but, if not, they recommended a mechanical valve. I am not crazy about the idea of Coumadin and I am absolutely distraught at the thought of not being able to have any more babies. So, I believe I will opt for the tissue valve, if it comes to that. Anyway, surgery is going to be scheduled for sometime in November if things go as planned. I will probably be seeking advice and words of wisdom here as it gets closer. Stay tuned...
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