Echo...

[LilSweetCheeks]

Has anyone had an EKG and Echocardiogram for yourself during the pregancy? My doc left me a message that I have a leaky mitra valve and inflammation around the apex of my heart. He then said it sometimes shows more during pregnancy. I know my heart has to work harder during but I wonder if this diagnosis is something to be concerned about. If only I had picked up the phone when he called because I have been worrying about this all day and have questions that need to be answered. I wonder if this is normal and why it wouldn't be seen prior to the pregnancy. Guess I will find out tomorrow if the office is open....

[JessCar76]

Praying for good results! Good luck!

[cutter1974]

I went or my echo the other day and it was so funny. Every time the technician went to rest her arm across my belly or chest the baby would kick and punch her nonstop. Hahaha it was too funny. I told her he didn't like it! Too funny! That's my boy protecting he mommy already!
Now I just have to wait for the results of the tests.

[JessCar76]

I haven't packed my bags yet but I will this weekend.

[cutter1974]

I am going tommorrow fr my echo. I haven't got my other results yet. I think my heart doctor was waiting till after he gets the results from the echo.
I am 30 weeks now too. And I am feeling like inam always out of breathe, and my heart pounds when I go upstairs.  I am really feeling it more and more often now. It could be normal at this stage. The baby is pressing up against the diaphragm.

[LilSweetCheeks]

Jess-all the best to you! You must be sooo thrilled! Do you have your bags packed already?

Cutter-when do you get your results from the monitor and ekg? Hope your echo goes well!

I haven't been good about posting...still need to do my monitor. The doctors office called me to reschedule my appt because they are still waiting for monitors to come in. I'm at 30 weeks now and generally feeling ok, though I have been feeling my heart racing a lot lately and really loud. I definitely hear it after I walk up 2-3 flights of stairs but sometimes its just when I'm standing or sitting. Has that happened to both of you?

[JessCar76]

I am beyond excited at this point. I have 28 days left!  I will be 37 weeks 6 days. By the time she's born, I should be 38 weeks.

[cutter1974]

I had a holter monitor done and a EKG a few weeks ago. Just have to have the echo done.  I will feel so much better once I know all is well and that I haven't had any changes in my heart.
Good luck with your induction. I guess you are getting pretty excited. How many weeks will you be when they induce baby!

[JessCar76]

Good luck, cutter1974. I had it done already and everything was fine. Also had an EKG.  I am doing fine. I got an induction date of Feb. 10th on Monday so I am very excited because it's only 30 days away!  Let me know how it goes for you.

[cutter1974]

I am scheduled for my echo cardiogram next Wednesday. I am hoping all is well with my heart.
How is everyone else doing?

[JessCar76]

I haven't taken any type of relaxation classes. I never thought of that. It sounds like a good idea, actually :)

[LilSweetCheeks]

I'm glad to hear that your anxiety level is under control. I think that its a hard thing to do when we have all of these worries as mothers and that there are so many unknowns. Although I don't wish on anyone to have a high risk pregnancy, its good to hear how well taken care of you are. In terms of controlling anxiety, I  think I might consider taking prenatal yoga again or lamaze (which I have yet to take)  Are you taking any relaxation classes?

[JessCar76]

I had my non-stress test on Thursday and everything went absolutely great. I am so happy! My anxiety level is pretty much non-existent now because of it.  What they do is measure the baby's heartbeat for about 20-30 minutes to make sure that it is regular and that she has instances where it accelerates and then returns to normal (this lets them know that she is moving as she should and sleeping and waking up, too) and they monitor my uterus to make sure that I am not having any contractions.  It also lets the doctor know that the baby's heart is pumping as it should, that there are no murmurs or breaks in her heart beating.  She was feisty throughout the entire process and tried kicking off the monitor from my stomach :)  I will be having one done every week until birth and also have a special ultrasound done weekly as well to ensure that her heart's chambers are working correctly, that all of her organs are working correctly, that she is practicing breathing and that my amniotic fluid is sufficient.  I would say that having a high risk pregnancy has its perks.  I am very well taken care of and so is my baby.  You are right about added stress and anxiety not being good for the pregnancy.  I have gotten it under control now.  I wish you luck in your pregnancy and know that if you have any questions or concerns, you can always ask me.  Let  me know how your tests go.  Good luck!

[cutter1974]

I haven't seen a real cardiologist yet. My heart doctor is basically an specialist that is an internist, hematologist and has specializes in heart problems. But not an actual cardiologist.
He doesn't feel I need to see one yet, since my condition is so mild. He is just keeping an eye on it, and if it starts to progress than he will send me to one,  he says the cardiologist would feel it was a waste of his time to see my at this stage.
And, yes, you are correct. I live in Canada. So, I am lucky I don't have to pay for any health care, doctors, or hospital. Just medications, and a lot of those are covered under my company medical.

[LilSweetCheeks]

Jess-I'm sorry that you have the added anxiety due to other medical issues, but it's good that the level of anxiety has decreased a bit. I think the one thing I have to remind myself (and perhaps I should practice what I preach) is that any heightened anxiety that I have 'might' potentially affect my baby. It is such a relief to hear that all is well with your baby and that your doctor comforted you during a time when you need that support the most. How did your non-stress test go with your OB? What exactly happens during this exam?

Cutter-Do you have a cardiologist that you are happy with and did you get multiple opinions about the surgery? When it came time for my mom to think about surgery for HCM, she received conflicting information from a number of hospitals/clinics. She finally decided to go with the surgery and was very happy with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. They provided fantastic pre and post op care. I think you once posted that you live in Canada, so I am assuming you wouldn't come to the states for medical care....

[cutter1974]

I just got a call today from the hospital wanting to do an echo on me. I should be having it in the next few weeks.

[cutter1974]

Aortic stenosis is something that you are born with and can go undetected for many, many years. I developed a heart murmur just before I turned 40 years old. Which is quite common with this condition. I will eventually need a heart valve replacement. They are just keeping an eye on the narrowing of the valve. So far I should be good for Atleast a few more years.
Basically I was born with a bicuspid valve instead of a tricuspid valve. So all these years my heart has had to pump harder to compensate and it is thickening the valve.

[JessCar76]

Thank you. My other medical issues have affected me greatly in that I have worried constantly since I saw my first pregnancy test showing a positive sign but now that I am closer to the end, my anxiety has gone down a bit. I have always been paranoid about something going wrong with the baby or with me but today I went to see the perinatologist and she made me feel so much better. My baby's heart is perfect and she is growing right on track. Tomorrow I see my regular OB who will conduct a non-stress test on the baby and will do so every week until I deliver so I feel better knowing that I am getting such good care.

[LilSweetCheeks]

JessCar76-I'm sorry that you are also dealing with other medical issues. How has that affected you in your pregnancy in terms of how you cope? Have you been pretty calm or do you feel that you worry a lot? Is this your first pregnancy?

Cutter1974-can you explain more about what an aerotic stenosis is? Is this something you had to have surgery for? Did your cardiologist also recommend an echo for you?

One thing that concerned me when I went to the doc is that he said I needed a stress test but that it didn't matter when I did it (could even be during pregnancy). I am concerned about the increase in my heartrate and if that is really safe to do now? On another note, the doc ruled out hypotrophic cardio myopathy, which is a genetic heart condition that my mom has. He said that the condition is only acquired in childhood, so that means I will have to get baby checked in case I have a genetic marker. Lastly, I am concerned why I have inflammation/fluid around my heart.  This doesn't sound normal. Of course then I start reading online and get myself more worried. Sigh...will call the doc again this morning in hopes that he's in.

[cutter1974]

I have aortic stenosis. I had to have a holter monitor and EKG at 25 weeks. They are going to continue monitoring my heart for rest of pregnancy. I was told these tests are safe for baby. Good luck :)

[JessCar76]

I am due Feb. 18 but the will be induced between week 37-38 due to other medical issues non-related to the leaky valve. Yes, I am out of breath easily and get light-headed, too.  The cardiologist isn't worried and neither is my OB and I have asked repeatedly about needing a c-section but was told that at this point in the pregnancy there isn't a need arising for it.  I do see a perinatologist as well as an OB since it is a high risk pregnancy and my baby's heart is being checked regularly as well just in case my issue might be affecting her as well but so far so good :)

[LilSweetCheeks]

Thanks...Good luck to you too. PS-when are you due?

[LilSweetCheeks]

Thank you for responding-I really appreciate it. Did you (before pregnancy) and do you (currently) feel symptomatic? ...out of breath easily and light-headed? Also curious if your OB and cardiologist mentioned whether a leaky mitra valve would be reason to do a c-section vs natural? I wonder if all of the pushing during labor even with an epidural if that would put too much stress on the heart.

[JessCar76]

I have and have the same problem. I had already been told about the leaky valve beforehand, though. The doctor doesn't see a reason to worry for me so I don't think you should overthink it. You should be fine. Good luck.