Mechanical aortic valve and pregnancy

[Yota]

Hi ladies,

Any of you had pregnancy and mechanical valve? I have done pre-pregnancy counselling I just want to know if any of you had this experience. Thank you

[Sunnie2day]

I think you may be the first mechanical valve would-be mum here, so please keep us updated on what all is involved and how you get on.

My childbearing days are past (two 'grown and flown'), my heart conditions didn't and still don't include valve replacement (yet, my cardiologist keeps an eye on my 'trivial' aortic valve scarring and says it's more 'when' than 'if'), but would be still be interested to know what all is done nowadays planning pregnancy after a valve replacement, especially with a mechanical one - will the warfarin cause any issues?

[Yota in reply to Sunnie2day]

Yes, warfarin can pass the placenta and cause many health problems to the baby. That is why in order to have a kid you need to do heparin injections dailyx2. Also, I will be going in the hospital once per week to check my blood. 3to4 times they will check my heart during my pregnancy and the baby as well

[Cliff_G]

Hi Yota, did they say why you were given this counselling?

[Yota in reply to Cliff_G]

Because my pregnancy will be a high risk pregnancy and we had to talk about the plans

[Qmimi]

Wow never heard of it being done before. Would be very interesting to see what it entails. Keep us updated if possible please

[Yota]

Yes, the doctors said I will have to switch to heparin once I am pregnant, after I will be monitoring and going weekly for blood tests. 2 shots of heparin daily one morning and one night. There lots of women who have done this, some of them 3 kids, others had 2 mechanical valves. I will keep you updated once I get pregnant! There are risks but it is not an impossible thing to do.

[Sunnie2day in reply to Yota]

Do you have to go to a specialty clinic or will you be able to be monitored locally to you?

I'm awed at the mums who've had multiple births after a valve replacement (tissue or mechanical). At the time I fell pregnant with my two, the medics were hysterical at the thought of my very slightly damaged aortic valve being put under the stress of pregnancy and delivery. I can't imagine what they would have said and done if I'd had AVR before delivering two live healthy children (now 43 and 38).

It's SO good to read modern times really do mean positive progress. I'm looking forward to following your story.

[Yota]

I know that is happening many years now. Yes, I will be going in a hospital weekly and they will be checking my blood, I will have echo 3-4 times during my pregnancy and also they will chavk my baby as well!

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Yota]

Good to hear you have had the preconceptional counselling.

You'll get used to giving yourself your heparin injections. I always do my own when I am in hospital.

There maybe risks however you will be closely monitored throughout your pregnancy.

You might like to see this story about a mother with a different heart problem who named her baby after one of the doctors who cared for her.

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

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. 🤞

[Yota in reply to Milkfairy]

I do believe that If I am committed everything will be fine. I am so scared but on the other hand I don't want to leave the fear to affect my decision. I thank you so much