Prothetic valve and pregnancy

Posted By Holly on February 06, 1999 at 18:30:55:







I was born with aortic stenosis, I had my valve replaced in 1990 with a Medtronic Hall prosthetic valve, My question is: Is it safe to become pregnant? I am curently on Coumadin. My OB/GYN feels it is safe to take heparin injections for the first trimester and then go back on coumadin.  He has had several patients do well.  My cardiologist feels that there is to much of a risk of a clot forming on my valve on heparin, however he was thinking I would be on heparin my entire pregnancy. I would like another opinion before making a decesion.