Cardiomyopathy and pregnancy?

[Ladybug1241973]

Anyone here go though a pregnancy with dialated cardiomyopathy? Please share your stories.
Thanks

[jojo2008]

Yes...I am now 28 but at the age of 23 was pregnant with a set of twin boys. Its a REALLY LONG STORY....but I knew something was wrong and the doctor told me it was because I was carrying twins. He said each pregnancy is different.YOU GOT THAT RIGHT. I had this cough that wouldnt go away so I went to an er and they told me I had a cold to go home and take sudafed. So I did, well It wouldnt go away so I went to a DIFFERENT ER and they told me I had a cold to go home.. My sister was going through nusing school at that time and told me that my legs didnt look normal. They were big and puffy. Well I told my ob what was going on and he said its normal your fine. I think I gain about 80 pounds with that pregnancy.........IT WAS NOT FINE. I could barely walk and then one day while driving down the street with my son in the back seat. I felt like I couldnt breath again and was getting sharp pains in my side. I couldnt move I called my mother who was in a different city at the street fair. She had to come with my sister and drive us to her house because I felt like I was going to die right there. I was so afraid I knew something was really wrong.
I went to see my ob and he said its because your not resting and I would....he told me to lay on my left side and that it helps with circulation. I told HIM I AM NOT FINE!
He said well im admitting you because your not resting. well they did a urine test and found out that I had toximia and pre-eclampsia. They then said I was dialated to 3 and wanted to enduce me and that I shouldnt wait because the numbers were getting higher.
I said ok..I want an epidural and told them ahead of time so that they would have time to prepare. Well needless to say I didnt get any meds they told me it was too late! I said to late.....I told you before you put me in labor. Well anyway I had to have them sitting up in the hospital bed because I couldnt breath when I was laying down. Once again I thought I was going to die. The lady after delivery told me something is not right im going to give you some morphine. I said no I dont want drugs now....in fear I might die right there. She said no it will relax your muscles so I agreed.
THey then moved me to mother and baby unit where things got worse. I couldnt stand up. I WAS FIGHTING FOR MY LIFE! I couldnt shower and I couldnt walk ! My ob came in and he asked how I was feeling I told him I was going to DIE. I then told him I want an x-ray and he hesitated and then said ok. Well.....I guess a cardiologist just happen to walk by and said she in heart failure....I swear 20 people rushed in the room and said. DONT MOVE...I was like wth..they told me and I was finally releaved that they now knew I wasnt CRAZY. They pulled me onto another bed by my bed sheet...(they lifted me) and took me to the cardiac intensive care unit. I told them I just want to sleep, I havent sleept for a month but I was too afraid too. He said well your going to be well taken care of you can rest now. THey gave me a bunch of meds and when I woke up I looked like I lost 80- pounds. My mom was there and I will never forget it I said I look so thin I look sick the doctor came in he said no your ALMOST back to normal....He said it was due to all the fluid my body was holding due to my heart.

Its a scary thing when something like that happens. What I regret though...I gave the twins up for adoption due to my situation and knowing that was the best thing for them. They are with really great people and we talk often but the BIT** is that I was told after I signed the papers that I shouldnt have anymore kids.
They said that they cant say it would happen but if it did I would not recover like I did the first time and next time I would be on a list for a heart transplant.

I am not married but have been with my new boyfriend now for sometime....he wants kids and Im not sure what to do about it or maybe I just might have to let him go. I love him but I know what joys a child brings and wouldnt want him to miss that even if it ment me having to let him go.

[landonsmom08]

Im not sure how much I can help.  I delivered my son a year ago.  I was not aware that I had any heart complication until the very end of my pregnancy.  During my pregnancy my bp kept rising but my gyno did nothing bc he said that it was due to my weight.  Well by the time I left the hospital I had put on 40 lbs of fluid.  The doc said it would go away over the next couple of days.  Well it didnt and to make a long story short, I ended up with congestive heart failure which lead to cardiomyopathy.  I was admitted back to the hospital.  They got all my fluid off my heart and within a month my heart was doing GREAT!  It will never be as good as it was but my son is SOOO WORTH IT!!  I also have a friend who was born with dialated cardiomyopathy and she gave birth to two healthy babies.  It wasnt easy but she did GREAT! GOOD LUCK!!!!!! I wish ever woman can experience having a child of their own.....