Metal valve and pregnancy

[Yota]

Hello everyone! I have a metal valve and I am taking warfafin! I'm planning to have a baby this year but I am a bit scared because the doctors told me that there are many risks. Anyone had this experience before?

Thank you

[Sunnie2day]

I have two children - both adults with families of their own. It is possible to become pregnant and carry to delivery but the best way is to do so under specialised obstetric cardiac care. I don't have any links for you, hopefully Milkfairy (one of our Heart Stars) who does have links will be along soon.

I will say again - the specialised care is terribly important. I was advised not to try to have a baby, went against that advice and avoided the doctors until close to the end of my first pregnancy. I ended up with horrifying complications, really-truly nearly died, and definitely deserved the repeated telling off from my cardiologist as I lay in my recovery bed.

My second pregnancy was planned far in advance of actual conception and was a much better experience. It went so much better owing to the supervision of the proper specialised care team.

[Yota in reply to Sunnie2day]

I know it is very dangerous! I already spoke with the doctors about that and I have been advised the same. I am not planning to have a baby before I stop my warfarin and start the injections. I'm waiting to get an app again with the cardiologist and hematologist first in order to plan my pregnancy.

I am very scared, a doctor said that is dangerous to do something like that. I want a family and when I heard that I was really sad. They told me as well that there are not so many people in Edinburgh with metal valve that they want to have baby so they don't really know..

I really want to have a family but I wanted to speak with people who has this experience!

Thank you for your help!!!

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hi Yota

Welcome to the forum.

I suggest you ask your GP to refer for preconceptional counselling.

Most larger Maternity units have a multidisciplinary team of an Obstercian working with a Cardiologist, Neonatal doctor and midwife to care for women with heart disease during their pregnancy.

Here are an example of a few one in Manchester the other in London

mft.nhs.uk/saint-marys/serv...

rbht.nhs.uk/our-services/he...

Here is a lovely story about the care of a mum and her baby at the Royal Free in London.

royalfree.nhs.uk/news-media...

[Yota in reply to Milkfairy]

I live in Edinburgh! Is there any unit here?

Thank yoj

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Yota]

I am not familiar of how they provide the service in Edinburgh.

However this care should be available.

Once the covid19 crisis has ended perhaps go and see your GP and ask to be referred to the relevant service.

Here is the link to the Maternity services in Lothian again contact them and ask to whom you should be referred for preconceptional counselling.

services.nhslothian.scot/Ma...

Good luck and comeback and tell us how you get on

[Yota in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you so much for your help!

Have a nice day

[Mary_Janet in reply to Yota]

There is both large regional cardiac unit at Edinburgh Royal and a large Obstetric unit there . I am sure that if you were referred for preconception advice you would get expert advice. I know that the department work together in cases like yours. I am sure they will be able to advise and support you with all you need. It must be very scarey for you but the experts will be there to help . (I have a mechanical valve but had my kids years before I knew I had heart issues) Simpson's obstetric unit deals with all the complex ladies through out Lothian and beyond . It's a busy, busy place but excellent.

Best wishes

Mary

[Fitandfearless]

Hi - I’ve been through this, actually couldn’t get support from any London cardiologist but moved house to be near Oxford where there’s a unit to deal with complex pregnancies. Hope you can find similar near you. It is complicated but if you do your research and follow the Heparin rules it’s fine. Bear in mind actual delivery of a baby when you have heart problems and are anticoagulated is very tricky. And the difficulty doesn’t end there - having a baby is really tiring!! So lots to think about.,Consider stopping at one is my advice but start with a consultant who will support you - FitandFearless