defibrillation during pregnancy

[hersheyqueen]

My 33 year old daughter who was 5 mos. pregnant went into cardiac arrest. She was given immediate CPR and was defibrillated enroute to the hospital. She was in a coma for 4 days. She received the hypothermic treatment where he body temp was lowered to slow the spread of toxins to her brain cells. She developed pneumonia while in intensive care and had a 103 fever for 4 days. She had a defibrillator/pacemaker implanted as soon as the fever broke. She and the baby has survived. She has some brain damage (mostly memory) but she continues to improve daily. She has an ejection fraction of 20%, cardiomegaly, CHF, and asthma. Does anyone have any experience in these types of situations? Will Baby Collin have severe birth defects? Will the shocks, lack of oxygen, hypothermia, fever, and meds cause birth defects? We are so scared. She had no cardiac history prior to this pregnancy. We aren't really sure what caused it. If you have any experience or knowledge...good or bad...please share it with me. I can face anything if I am prepared.
Thanks in advance,
Lisa

[banglamom]

I'm so sorry.  I hope she continues to improve quickly.  When is the baby due?  Is she in reehab or still in the hospital?  Either way, I assume she is getting very frequent ultrasounds of the baby?  There is really no way to know for sure about the health of the baby and his response until he is born.  I would surely want a neonatologist present for the birth besides just an ob md.  With an EF of 20%, and recent history like this, is there a planned c-section once the baby has the best chance of developed lungs.  Are they trying to ready the lungs ahead with surfactin?  I don't think they can completely go after her cardiac care until the baby is born.  She will likely AT LEAST need a dibrillator if they haven't given her one alreay.  Besides her history, an EF of < 35% is an indicator for an AICD- im,planted defibrillator.  If you never need it, no harm done, if it fires ONCE, it has saved your life.  At the hospital I work at, people with an EF < 25% get evaluated for transplants.  First they will see what can be done with treatments to see if anything can bump up that ef.  Hope that helps.  It some scary stuff, but knowing helps.  If it is completely pregnancy induced, I'm not sure of the stats but maybe much of it can resolve.  I certainly recommend an ongoing conversation with God.  It helps.

[Jerry_NJ]

I am so sorry to that you and all have had such a frightening experience.

I see you post has been up for 7 hours so I respond even though I don't have any knowledge that will help.

Clearly the situation is improving, and that has to be a relief.  The overall condition is very complex but should be something your doctor(s) can help you understand better.