24 Week Update :)

[Gerie]

Hello all! I thought I'd update everyone since my appointments last week! I am officially 24 weeks tomorrow! I saw both the Cardiologist and OB. First of all, not only am I getting my monthly ECHOs, but baby Anthony got an ECHO last Monday due to my diabetes, and his heart is doing wonderfully- no abnormalities- YEAH! :D

I then saw the Cardiologist on Tuesday, and had my ECHO, which also included something called a bubble study to see if I had a hole in my intra-atrial septum, which I didn't (boy, did I hate that IV), which was good news, but the GREAT NEWS is that my EF remained the same at around 50-55%! I was so happy with that! I am still on the same meds, Digoxin and Toprol XL, and the Glucophage for my diabetes, but I am feeling surprisingly well, thanks to the good LORD up above! :D

I saw my OB on Wednesday, and she said I was doing great as well. No scheduled date for my C-section yet, but we are shooting for 34-38 weeks- I know it's such a wide range, but my daughter was born at 34 weeks, so that would be the reference point for me.

This support group is awesome!! I am so thankful for it! I want to thank everyone for all the well wishes!!!! :)

[Lisa V]

You had great news all around..........................
Lets keep receiving good news throughout the remainder of the pregnancy.
Please keep us updated on the progress............

[Stacia]

I'm glad to hear things are going good for you. I'm also pregnant. I'll be 30 weeks on Tuesday and I'm going to have a c-section at 37 weeks. I'm also on the same meds, Toprol XL 200mg and .25 of lanoxin. What dose do you take of each? Has your doctor talked to you about stopping the meds before the baby is born? I was told I would have to stop 5-7 days before the c-section and then could go back on them once the baby is born. I have always wanted to stop taking the meds but now they are like a cushion for me and the thought of stopping them for a few days freaks me out. Take care and keep us posted.

Stacia

[jbrunetti]

Hi,
Great news! I am glad things are going so well for you and I am sure they will continue to do so!
I am now 34.5 weeks along and have my OB visit today and another Cardio visit on Monday. I will be sure to update next week. I only have another 3.5 weeks until my C-section and I have a strange feeling that I may not make it that long! I guess we shall see!
Please continue to keep everyone updated on your progress!

[Gerie]

Hello all, and yes I'll definitely keep everyone posted! This is a wonderful site!

Stacia, I am on Toprol XL 100mg 2x a day and Digoxin 0.25mg 1x a day. I also take Glucophage for my diabetes. My docs haven't said anything about stopping my meds prior to the C-section. I will inquire about that when I go in for my next visit. Did you ever stop taking meds after your PPCM baby was born? My docs told me that I was going to be on the meds for the rest of my life.. at least the Beta Blocker and ACE Inhibitor. They said that eventually I should be able to stop the digoxin, but he said that there is more risk to damaging my heart even further if I stopped my meds, but I noticed that alot of people on this forum stopped meds. Just curious.

Jenifer, you are doing pretty good for 34.5 weeks. My first child was 34 weeks gestation, but we didn't know that I had PPCM then, and everything was so acute. They are saying that because now they know what is going on with my heart, it won't be as bad. I know you are excited! Hang in there! I'm praying for you like I'm praying for the rest of us with post PPCM pregnancies! :)