Heart problems and pregnancy

[concerned_nana]

My daughter-in-law has an unplanned pregnancy.  She also has mitral valve prolapse and mitral valve stenosis.  Her mother has told her that she must abort the baby.  She states that she has not been to a cardiologist in 3 years but called her pediatric cardiologist. (She is now 21 years old and has not seen him since she was 18).  She says that her pediatric cardiologist called her mother and told her mother that he was concerned and that if she continued the pregnancy she would have to have radiation to fix her heart later and that she would be on bed rest from week 12 on. (Her mother does not want any grandchildren.)  She is saying that she is going to have an abortion and wait until her health is better.

Can her health actually improve with time?  (She has had this since birth)
Since she is not on any medications for her heart is it really critical?  My son has not gone with her to the doctor so I only have her word and that of her mother.
How does radiation therapy improve heart health?

Please respond quickly, I think she will try to abort the baby within the next two weeks.

[nirmal1979]

she doesnt require abortion rather she should immediately go to a cardiologist and get an 2dD echo done. only after that further course of management will be decided .even if she had a criticaml mitral stenosis she can continue her pregnancy under medical supervision.we have seen many pts of mitral stenosis who delivered healthy baby successfully.
   dr nirmal jain
   cardiologist
  mumbai india

[ireneo]

I'm so sorry she's going through this with so many conflicting pressures on her. I suppose the final word should be from a cardiologist who can assess how severe the MVP is and what risks are involved. I do have a friend that had MVP but still had  2 wonderful sons. A couple years ago she finally had to go in to have the valve replaced. Each case is different. It also will depend on how she feels about the pregnancy. And the father of the child - what are his feelings about this?

It wouldn't hurt to get a new exam and a new outlook from a different cardiologist before she makes her decision. At least, that's what I would do.