Alexia Gurtz

 Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Support Network

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Hi, My name is Alexia Gurtz and I want to share my story with PPCM because I want to help anyone who finds themselves in this situation.  I was 34 years old and giving birth to my second child January 2006.  I went into labor 3 weeks early. I was in a lot of pain and complained that I couldn't breath.  I ended up giving birth 9 hours later.  Everything seemed fine until I woke up in the middle of the night while still at the hospital and couldn't breath.  I felt like I was going to suffocate.   Thank God, one of the nurses recognized my condition because she had suffered from it 25 years ago.  I was really sick and weak.  I was released from the hospital about a week later on all sorts of meds.  I could barely walk two blocks, I was so out of breath.  My ejection fraction was about 30%.  In about 3 months my  ejection fracition went up to 60% which my doctor says in normal.  15 months later I feel great.  It's hard to believe I was that sick.  I am happy to talk to anyone who has more questions for me.