Pregnancy with mechanical heart valve... - British Heart Fou...

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Pregnancy with mechanical heart valves and warfarin treatment

Warfarin123 profile image
4 Replies

Has anyone got any experience with this and know how it impacted your wellbeing

Thanks

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Warfarin123
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Nanny72 profile image
Nanny72

Your Warfarin will be stopped and you will be commenced on a subcuticular anti coagulant.

Normally something like Clexane which is usually injected into the abdomen.

As this is daily and sometimes twice daily, you will be encouraged to self administer. You will be taught to do this.

You will be high risk during your pregnancy and under care of Senior Obstetric Consultant and Senior Cardiologist.

You need to expect some periods of hospital stays during your pregnancy.

You will be very closely monitored for the health of you and your baby.

Because of the necessity of stopping anti coagulation prior to delivery, depending on mode of delivery. You will probably be induced prior to term. If you are being delivered by caesarean section, the anti coagulation will be stopped 24-48 hours prior to the procedure.

You will be in either High Dependency or Intensive Care Unit post delivery. Care will be given by team of doctors, midwives and nurses.

Baby may need to be monitored in Special Care Baby Unit.

Hope this helps and congratulationsxxxx

Warfarin123 profile image
Warfarin123 in reply to Nanny72

Did you go through this? If you did how was your general well being throughout pregnancy? I am just terrified of being ill full 9 months

Thanks

Nanny72 profile image
Nanny72 in reply to Warfarin123

I am sorry if I have misled you. I was a midwife for a long time and this was the care of women with cardiac conditions and any pregnant women on Warfarin.

You will face more challenges than women without this problem.

I also went to pre pregnancy counselling with my granddaughter. She is on Warfarin and has complex cardiac problems. She changed her mind due to personal problems.

The consultant said to her that she may have problems but they would deal with them as and when they occurred.

Look forward my experience of women in general is that they are remarkably strong, especially during pregnancy.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Hi

The language that is sometimes used by professionals can be scary and it is important to be able to talk to someone with a lived experience of what you are facing as well as forming a partnership with the midwives, obstetrician and cardiologist involved in your care.

If you are worried about anything please do talk to them and make sure they explain everything to you. If you don't understand ask them to explain everything again. Perhaps write your list of concerns down before any appointment and take some one with you. An extra pair of ears can be helpful.

Your experience is very individual to you. You also do have choice as to how your care is to be provided with the best evidenced based advice so you can make decisions about how you wish to be cared for during your pregnancy and birth of your baby.

Some women do when giving both by elective caesarean section ask for a ' natural ' caesarean section.

Absolutely you need to be advised by an experienced obstetrician and a cardiologist who has experience of caring for women with your condition.

Good luck I wish you a calm and stress free pregnancy and birth. Do ask for help if you feel you need extra support.

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