Just wondering..............

[Domsmom05]

I am new to the site and I was Diagnosed with PPCM in 9/2005 following the birth of my son. My EF is now back to normal (55-60) when I was diagnosed it was 15. i went into respitory distress it was a horrible experience, granted but everytime i see him it was worth it. My numbers returned to normal about 3-4 weeks post partum. Before I got PPCM I planned on having two children, but after the experience I am very leary about it. Both my OBGYN, who had seen 3 cases of it before me (2 of which died) and my Cardiologist advised me not to have anymore children. Now I have a 10 year IUD in, but I have to admit I really want another child. This brings me to my question, how safe is it to have another child after PPCM? And what is the reoccurence rate? Any help would be greatly appriciated thanks.:)

[sfekke]

Hi,

Welcome to the site. If you look at the top of the Post PPCM Babies forum there is an algorithm that tells you the risk. My cardio told me the risk is 5-20% if your fully recovered.

After reading your story I was struck by what a quick rebound you made. So glad to hear your heart is so strong. So my initial guess is that your young, early 20s. You don't have to fess up to that, it just seems that all the quick recovery stories happen to the young ones:) Most women on the site will tell you they were initially told no way to further pregnancies, but alot of doctors are not aware of the more recent studies and given this is a "rare" illness you can't expect everyone to be up to date. Your best bet is to find a doctor with recent experience in PPCM. I don't know what part of Florida you live in. I had PPCM in Jacksonville and am now undergoing post PPCM preg in S. Fla so if you need any help with docs please let me know.

Best wishes,
Sarah

[Janelle]

Welcome to the site! I hope you find the answers you are looking for!!:)

[juliemcculloch]

Hi ,

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant with my PPCM baby. I have as yet had no problems. I developed PPCM during my first pregnancy 7 1/2 years ago and was on life support, I never saw my son for days and wasn't given much chance or full recovery, however I got there many years later. I was, like you and probably the majority of women whi have this condition, advised against having any more kids and was actually advised to terminate this pregnancy (which we almost did had I not found this site). At the moment I feel great but I don't know what lies ahead. The plan at the moment is to section me at 36 weeks. There are a few women on here who have just had / just going to have babies and I believe they are also doing fine.

Dr Fett is a fountain of knowledge and I'm sure he will answer any questions you have. Serena is also a great help with info and stats.

Welcome.

Julie

[miracle baby]

Welcome I hope you get the answers you need.

[miachic]

Welcome! There are a few of us trying to make the same decision you are right now. Just dig into the site and you will find the answers that you need. Thanks for joining us! I'll try and get back to posting some links later but my life is a little crazy with a toddler :D

[Tammy]

I was dx with PPCM with my first child. I also recovered heart function quickly like you did. Within months.
almost 3 yrs later I had my Post PPCM baby girl with no problems. My heart acted like I never had PPCM throughout my pregnancy till post partum.
She is now just turned 3 yrs old!
I found this site when I was pregnant with her, at about 28 weeks. It has been a great supportive site.
I hope that you will find the guidence you need to make your decision.

[Tabitha]

I myself am 36 weeks pregnant with my 2nd child, 1st ppcm. So far so good. My cardiologist said no way!!! However I found a Dr. in Savannah with extensive knowledge on the condition. If you live close to Savannah it may be worth checking in to. He's fabulous!!!

I will be having an amnio on thurs. to check for lung maturity and if all is well they will be delivering her on Saturday! I'll keep you all posted.

[Tammy]

I forgot to tell you that I had a great cardiologist while I lived in Hollywood, Fl. His name is Selbourne Goode. And he was great! He fully supported me having another baby.
He practices mostly in the Memorial Hospitals.

[KellyDL]

Welcome! You have came to the right place. There are so many wonderful girls on here with such great advice. I really hope you get the information you need to make the decision that is right for you. I look forward to hearing more from you and getting to know you better.

[Lisa V]

I just wated to extend a WELCOME to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I choose not to have any more children after PPCM so I will not be able to help you with your question but there any many woman on these boards who can. You have come to the right place for answers, help and advice. Hope to see you around more often.

[LSmith]

Hi, I am also new to this site. I was diagnosed with PPCM after the birth of my beautiful son in May of 2005. I also went into repiratory distress and spent a very frightening week in the CCU. My EF was 45% when they did my echo in the hospital and my doc said it was back up over 60% when they did it again after 3 months. I am also struggling with the issue of whether or not to have another child. My cardiologist said that he wouldn't tell me not to but the risk of recurrence and the chance that I could get even sicker is greater. The perinatoligist I went to thought that my cardiomyopathy was brought on by pre eclampsia and that the chance of recurrence was slim. Does anyone have an opinion?

I'm so glad to have found this site. It is wonderful to read stories from survivors like me and to read about the brave women taking another chance.

Thanks!!
Leslie

Mom to Murphy (5/19/05)

[JAMESFETT]

Leslie, I' m sure you've seen my algorithm about risks of subsequent pregnancy (one) after a diagnosis of PPCM. The important aspects are:

1)Risks are much higher IF heart function has not returned to normal before the subsequent pregnancy.

2)Treatments are so much better (especially with hydralazine/nitrates and beta blockers during pregnancy, ACE-inhibitors and beta blockers after pregnancy) that when there is a relapse it is easier to control/treat/improve the new heart failure.

3)Monitoring for early indications of worsening is better than it has ever been. These monitoring tools include, blood hs-CRP, blood BNP, focused echo at critical intervals during and postpartum to the subsequent pregnancy.

JDF

[carriep]

Hi
I am currently 33 weeks pg with my post ppcm baby and thus far nothing too exciting has gone on with my heart. I am on a 12.5 dosage of Toprol since 28weeks and my ef is 45-50% which is expected for pregnancy. I'll have another echo at 35 weeks and will be induced around my 38th week. Everyone on my healthcare team is very optomistic.
I was told my chances were btn 7-20% with it being on the lower end since I was up to 45% ef from 15% in 3 weeks. My high risk ob really thinks it was a virus that I had around the same time as my delivery but we will never know.
Good luck with your decision.

[LSmith]

Carrie - Congrats on your pregnancy. You are getting closer! How are you feeling this week?

Please - all of you having a post ppcm baby - keep the rest of us posted! You are giving the rest of his lots and lots of hope!!

Thanks,
Leslie
Mom to Murphy (5/19/05)
Dx - (5/24/05)

[carriep]

Today I am feeling quite tired and ready to crawl under a bed somewhere and sleep for another few weeks. But tomorrow I might have all the energy in the world...changes from day to day. I said I don't remember being tired last time like this but I didn't have a child to chase and a house to clean!
Thanks for the well wishes!