4 week update

[naturalmama1012]

Nothing really to report, but I wanted to let everyone know I am still OK. I see my cardio next week. She says we will not do a follow-up echo until 3 mos. I feel perfect and I am having zero symptoms but that was the case at 30% EF too so who knows. I do have an event monitor that will self-record whenever I have an abnormal rhythm, at first it was getting PVCs all the time now it never records, so that must be good!

Liam is doing great and getting bigger by the day!

[SarahsMom]

Good for you! Sounds like you're doing great post-Liam. Glad to hear that all doing well with him too.....! Have any new pictures?

A few questions for you....

1. what was your EF when you conceived?
2. How long were you off med's?
3. What was your EF at diagnosis?
4. How old are you?
5. Were you on any med's when pregnant with Liam?
5. Did you have any decline in heart function during or after?

Sorry to ask so many questions, I've been off med's for 5 months and waiting for my echo results from today's test. Should hear something on Thursday and then me and hubby are going to sit down for a heart to heart about another baby.

Thanks,
Kari

[jbrunetti]

Becki -
Glad you are feeling good and hopefully your 3 month echo will show results that equal how you are feeling!! I can't believe Liam is already 4 weeks old! It goes by way too fast! Dylan is already 11 weeks and doesn't look like a newborn anymore!!

[naturalmama1012]

Kari, to answer your questions:

1. what was your EF when you conceived? 45-50% by echo, 59% by MUGA
2. How long were you off med's? I was never off meds
3. What was your EF at diagnosis? 40-45%
4. How old are you? I am 26, I was 23 at diagnosis and 25 when I got pg with Liam
5. Were you on any med's when pregnant with Liam? Yes, hydralazine, imdur, and Toprol XL
5. Did you have any decline in heart function during or after? I had some decline after, my 2 day post-partum echo showed an EF of 30%

Good luck with your decision, it's a hard one and very personal... I have to say, Liam is worth it all! ;)

[SusanD]

I just wanted to say that I appreciate your candor and honesty that everything is not *perfect* after delivery and that your EF has dropped. I think sometimes we get so caught up in cheering on another post PPCM baby and mother who are seemingly *fine* and forget that a dropped EF *is* indeed a potentially bad thing. When my EF was at 30% I was in pulmonary edema, short of breath and very symptomatic.

I think a lot of women read this website and they see that the mom is indeed alive and well and think "yeah, it CAN be done." Well...yes and no. 30% is bordering on the "severe" side of reduced LV function and you have been very upfront that all is not just *fine.*

I am so glad this forum exists...we've seen everything from zero decline in heart function, to dropped EF's but no symptoms, to severe reductions....and this is *exactly* what ladies need to read as they make their decisions.

[SarahsMom]

Susan,

I agree with you whole heartedly (ha,ha)! I'm just gathering as much data and information as I can...you're right this decision is not easy, I want another child but at the same time I am healed and living a totally normal life without having to worry about my heart every second of the day...I don't know if I want jeopardize that as I have a daughter that I need to be around for. I do feel that she needs a mother more than a sibling.

We're not doing anything as of yet, just thinking things out!

Kari

[SusanD]

Sarah....I applaud you for asking questions and I hope you find some answers to make your decision easier. Like I've said recently, 5 yrs ago I was VERY much anti-post PPCM baby, but this forum is giving us and everyone else way more access to what really happens than any research has so far. There have been a LOT of positive stories...which we were never seeing before the forum existed.

[jmonte]

Becki- did you have a MUGA yet? I bet your number is higher by muga- mine always is. I am so glad you are having no symptoms. I hope you are getting some sleep!!! I was wondering what you thought about something- I am getting concerned that I'm not on meds. My first pregnancy echo was the same- 45% in May. That is what they have determined to be my "baseline" since they think i've been operating at this level for 10 yrs or so. I wasn't on meds pre-concep but get worried that I should be now. They seemed to think it was fine and I didnt need to go back to the cardio until I hit 32 wks. Does this sound right to you? I feel fine and everything, but am nervous after seeing that you were symptomatic and had a drop to 30%- what do you think? thanks in advance for any advice- Julie

[tabs]

Julie, I spent my third pg with an ef of 43%. I saw the cardio regularly, but only had three echos. I was not placed on meds. 32 weeks is very appropriate if you are not having symptoms as that is when the final increase to your blood volume occurs. If you are concerned at all then I would suggest that you talk to your docs. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
Twilah

[ChandaC]

Hey Ladies I don't want to step on any toes, but I guess having another baby is kinda risky. I agree with Susan and I know we've come along way with the survival rate. I comend all the ladies who have successfully given birth and successfully recovered. But I can't imagine the stress and strain that you all have gone through wondering what the outcome would be. I guess everyone's situation is different , but with this condition being so rare and so many times being misdiagnosed no wonder these Docs are not willing to take a chance. And keeping in mind heart disease is the #1 killer of woman without having ppcm. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way , I love you girls. We all know about the depression ,fatigue , and being scared to go to sleep at night, no matter what your EF is. Not only is this physical it's mental. Not to mention what this does to our husbands, children , and parents. And alot of doctors don't even want to let pregnant women be educated about until it happens to them , then we have to educate ourselves. I feel like we should also keep in mind "Our Babies" the ones that made it and the ones that didn't. And the Mothers who didn't know what was happening to them and didn't make it in time enough to save themselves. All of us have pretty much had some of the same experiences and I would not wish them on my worst enemy. It's still so much research to be done. For those who decide to have another little one I will contiune to pray that you all stay in the best of health and make a full recovery.

[naturalmama1012]

Julie, no, I haven't had a MUGA yet but I am very curious to see what it says. My cardio is talking about doing one at 3 mos. Pre-pg it was 59% and that was when my echos were reading 45-50%.

I had 3 echos total, one each trimester, while pg... there was never any change, only at the very end there with that last one after I delivered. And I have to wonder if the big fluid shifts, and the increase in PVCs (which was largely brought on by electrolyte imbalances that were immediately corrected) didn't contribute to a slight drop in EF combined with a very hard-to-read echo (which my cardio did acknowledge). She feels (or at least hopes) that based on my symptoms (or lack thereof), I mostly likely did not have any damage per se, but just a temporary strain to the heart.