I want another baby

[Claire]

Hello all

I have never been to this site, i wish i had found it 2 years ago!

I have a son aged 2 and would love another baby, my cardiologist says i shouldnt have any more but i keep getting conflicting info, some places say no and some say with maybe with carefull supervision. I have read some of the other postings, could someone who has had another baby after PPCM or is having another baby tell me what sort of care you are getting/got.

I would be ever so greatfull, i have an appointment with my cardiologist (re: having another baby) and i would like some info before i go.

Thanks in advance

Claire xx

[Stacia]

I’m 27 weeks pregnant with my post PPCM baby. It has been 71/2 years since I was diagnosed with PPCM. I went back to the same doctor and he always told me there would be a risk involved but never went into much detail. Since we have moved and I am now seeing a new doctor the first thing I asked him was about having another baby. I had an echo done along with blood work to see what my “normal” is without being pregnant and so he could compare them to my old chart. He told me if having another baby is what I really want then he would support me and follow me closely. He also set me up with my OB. I see the cardio every 8 weeks for an echo and talk to them on the phone once a week or so to let them know my BP and heart rate. I see my OB every 3 weeks and I have had 2 ultrasounds to check on baby to see how he is growing since I’m still on meds. I will have a scheduled c-section with my cardio at my side. So far the only problem that I have had is constant morning, day, and night sickness. My EF, heart rate, and BP have all stayed the same. I hope this information helps and good luck with your appointment.

Stacia

[SarahsMom]

Claire,

Be prepared for the answer of "NO MORE CHILDREN!" It' SO frustrating...I'm in the same boat that you're in, I have a daughter (13 months) and I want another...JUST ONE MORE and I'm DONE - PROMISE!!!! I have been to (3) different cardiologists...all of whom have said "NO MORE CHILDREN!" Even when I explain that I recovered after 6 months (55%) and off all medications a year after diagnosis.

Cardiologist's just don't know enough about PPCM for them to be competent that we'll be okay...so they give us the canned answer of NO! That way, their covered legally!

Oh well, maybe your experience will be different...let me know!!!!!

Good luck.

Kari

[jbrunetti]

Claire,
I am now 32 weeks pregnant with my post ppcm baby.
I too was told NO MORE BABIES for 2.5 years after dx.
When I was dx my EF was only 10-15% and I recovered in about 6 months.
I finally talked to my OB again about it and he said that as long as I knew the risks that he would support me in whatever decision I made. He sent me for a consult with a high risk ob and he put my overall risk at about 5% which I felt was pretty good considering when I was first dx my OB told me I had a 50/50 chance of it happening again. I then took the high risk dr's report with me to my cardiologist and though he didn't necessarily agree he said he would support me and watch me very closely. I am both my OB & Cardio's first patient with PPCM to go on to have another baby which in a way is good because they are both very cautious with me but was bad in the first few years because they were so against another pregnancy. So far I have had 5 echos and 6 ultrasounds this pg. I see my Cardiologist once a month now and my OB every 2 weeks.
I was put on a beta blocker after the first trimester just as a precaution and it has keep my hr and bp very low.
This pg has been totally normal so far and will hopefully stay that way!
In order to make this decision you will have to decide what risk you are willing to take and can you except any outcome that may happen.
I don't second guess my decision one bit, I know it was the right one for me.
I wish you the best in whatever decision you make!

[carriep]

Claire
My husband and I are in the midst of planning our second pg. I have been told the risks are too high (20%--using the Elkyam study) from my cardio and I have almost a 70% ef. I am going to see a high risk ob in April to see what his feelings are bc I believe that I have to look at a cardio's point of view (keeping a heart healthy) and an obs point of view (having a healthy baby) and seeing where I come to in the middle. Not to sound clique, but I feel in my heart that I will be ok. That we know what the devil is and how to somewhat tame it. And I also think that its not fair to me and my family to say No more children when there are too many unknowns (ie bc we don't know what will happen). As for me, I think I have risked my life multiple times over the years (drinking, smoking, etc) for something much less than a child (personal gratification).
Not that I am saying you should do it or that you shouldn't. I have been weighing this in my head and heart for almost a year and half now and most days I am at peace with the decision. It has to be what you and your husband want for your lives.
I have followed these wonderful ladies for a while and watched as some took the step towards another pg and have been brought closer to my decision bc of their successes. Its a hard decision to make regardless of what you choose, but at least the decision should be yours to make and not the drs. Good luck regardless of what you choose.

[bradley's mom]

Hi Claire! My name is Michele and I want you to know that I have been in your situation and it is very upsetting! Originally I was told by my cardiologist that I should not have any other children. I then went to another cardiologist with more experience in PPCM and was told that he did not see any future problems. That led me to a high risk OB/GYN who said that he would support me and he wouldn't allow me to move forward with another pregnancy if he didn't think it was safe. My message is that a second opinion may be worthwhile and wouldn't hurt if you haven't had one! Good luck!

Michele Eatherton

[mom2gageandkeely]

Hi Claire, My email is jenniferwatkins@verizon.net. I had a post PPCM baby in 2001 without a reoccurence, and with very careful supervision. If you would like to talk feel free to email me ~Jenn

[C.Alyse'sMom]

Although I just had my baby in November, I know that I want to have another baby. My dr told me not to get pregnant. I first talked to him on the phone before my first visit b/c my PCP had him call me based on the eco results. I thought he meant within a year or so, but when I went in to see him, he went as far as saying that my fiance and I need to consider one of us getting "fixed". My BF and I had planned to have 2-3 babies. I'm glad to see there's hope.