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.