Doctor, can I, should I get pregnant?
Dr Judith Bouchardy
First, you need to know if the problem you have is embedded in you, or your loved one’s gene pool. If it is, you should seek genetic counselling to have the risk of transmission evaluated. From there, you will have to decide if you want to go ahead with a pregnancy.
OK, you have decided that the transmission is an acceptable risk. The next step is to see if you and the baby will survive with a good quality of life after and as long as possible. Of course, since nobody can predict the future, we are stuck with statistics, experiences, and so on. Who knows, you may have a car accident tomorrow or win a million dollars. I have no intention to give you all the statistics or other stuff available, too dry and harsh and it may not apply to you anyway. I only want to ask you one thing: check with your cardiologist before you make your decision. The cardiologist will be able to explain the risk for your health, all the pros and cons specific to you, and change your medications if needed, as some are not good for the baby.
Now, you made the decision… and you are pregnant. Congratulation! What next? Again: call your clinic! Because of your heart, your team will want to see you on a regular basis, to make sure that everything is going well for you and the baby, and adjust your medications if needed.
In brief? Very simple: check with your team, even years before you start planning for a family, they are there to help you.
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