I am 21 weeks pregnant. My baby has been diagnosed with the following,
Subaortic VSD, aorta committed to right ventricle, very hypoplastic pulmonary valve, right arch mirror image branching with duct from left subclavian artery and retrograde flow.
He will require heart procedure at about two days old and open heart surgery around 3-6months old and further heart procedures throughout his lifetime.
I am seeking advice, help, real life stories of parents who have gone through this. Anything you can share would be most appreciated. We are at a loss and not sure what to do.
I'm not able to give you any advice. I just want to send you 🤗😍 on your long journey. We have fantastic surgeons so you are in good hands. Thinking of you.
I can’t give you any real advice as to what to do or what will happen with your little one. I am not the parent of a baby born with CHD, but I am the baby that was born with CHD, or Transposition of the Great Arteries to be more specific.
Similarly to what you have said, I had a small procedure at only a few days old, and then had my Mustards operation at 7 months old, which had to be redone at around 13 years due to puberty and my artificial baffle not growing with my rapidly changing body.
I’m not sure if this will offer any reassurance or comfort, and I understand all cases are different and complex. However, I am now 39, soon to be 40. I have been able to live a very normal life. I am active and fit, I have a good full time job, a loving relationship and a house and mortgage to boot.
For my 39 years I have had regular check ups and tests under The Royal Brompton, and could never fault their care and thoroughness. Until only recently I have been able to live completely free of medication, but have needed to start taking Valsartan to help slow my heart rate.
From my parents point of view when we have discussed my birth and my condition, the only thing I think my Mum wishes she had was more and better support with groups and other parents… but is was the 80’s so this just didn’t exist. But that is so different now, and posting here as you already have, and talking to organisations like the BHF, will help so much.
I hope this helps a little with what can be a really difficult time.
I’m so sorry to hear you have found out your baby has heart problems, it’s just not what you expect to hear when you go for a scan.
There are so many places to find support as were mentioned by an earlier poster, plus I have found with myself and my family in the past that the medical staff really do lift you up, both with what they do for you and how they make everything feel ok and like you are not alone.
Coincidentally I’ve just had OHS for a replacement valve and I have to say it was really not as painful as I expected, the worst bit was the worrying about it beforehand.
I hope everything goes ok for you all, best wishes ❤️
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Heart Disease and Benefits
Congenital heart defect.
Heart Disease - Her Disease
TGA (Transposition of the Great Arteries. Congenital Heart Disease) 
