tetralogy of fallot

[medo]

I had operation from Tetralogy of Fallot 23years ago.I am now 24.All these years I feel fine,I don't have any problems.I don't drink any medication,drugs.This february I was pregnant,for 6weeks,I felt fine.had no problems.23years i was going in one hospital for children.because i am too old from this year i went to one private doctor and she told me that I can't have baby.And I had an abortus.Can I have baby?how?I even heard that I could be in hospital for all 9months.Is that posible?I know that you can't help me like this too much,but I need help and I don't know what to think.Please help me.explain me please something about this.thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

[CCF-M.D.-MJM]

Hello,

I am very sorry to hear that you lost you baby.  That is devastating and I know there is nothing I can say to make that easier.

You need to see a cardiologist that specializes in adult congenital heart disease to evaluate your individual circumstances and determine if it is safe for you to have a baby.  At the Cleveland Clinic, Richard Krasuski is our specialist but most teaching centers will have someone that specializes in that area.  Every individual has different circumstances that need evaluated.  The following link has more information about TOF and pregnancy, but you need to see a specialist to help you know the risks/benefits.

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11071

I hope this helps.  Good luck and thanks for posting.

[nickppatel]

Here's a good link that explains general things on TOF and some specifics on pregnancy:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=11071

†
Nick

[Still Here]

I'm sorry about what you've been through hun.

When i was 3 i had a complete correction of ToF, is that what you've had?

Although it was a complete correction, my pulmonary valve was leaky. Over time there was a greater backflow of blood into the heart. As a result I was told that I would need another operation to replace my pulmonary valve and I was advised against getting pregnant until this was done. For the past 20 years I've not experianced any physical symptoms as a result of the murmur however my doctors decided to operate this year due to the vast amount of blood flowing back into the heart.

I had my surgery 5 weeks ago and I am making a good recovery so far. I know that when I have fully recovered there should be no reason why I can't have children. I hope that your's maybe a similar case. Do you know if you have a murmur because if you do then I think that your doctor told you not to have a child yet as your heart will not be able to properly supply enough blood to both you and your baby.  

I hope this helps, good luck

[tof1975]

I had tof correction 31 year ago and have been healthy ever since.  i have played sports (soccer, gymnastics, cheerleading) and have never had a problem.

I am now pregnant with my third child (the go ahead from my cardiologist) and am a little nervous about the effects that it could have on my body.

I would like to collect as much data as possible on other women who have had tof and then successful pregnancies, as well as those who have had complications.

Thanks!