pregnancy after a myectomy and placement of an icd

[melissa lodge]

I am a 35 year old female who had a myectomy and placement of an ICD in Sept. I have always wanted to have another baby. Does anyone have any experience with pregnancy after these procedures? What have HCM specialists recommended?

[Lisa Salberg]

Re: pregnancy after a myectomy and placement of an icd

I know of several people who have had successful pregnancies post myectomy - AND I know of a few ICD deliveries - I am not sure if any had both..but I am not sure that matters. All did very well!

I would suggest working with an HCM specialist PRIOR to the pregnancy and gettting a full evaluation of your current situation.

Best wishes!!
Lisa

[karen]

Re: pregnancy after a myectomy and placement of an icd

I had myetomy in 1987 and had a daughter in Sept. 1990. I don't have an ICD, but my pregnancy was pretty good. Had to stay in hospital for like 3 months prior to delivery because the doctors had never dealt with someone with this disease pregnant. Good luck.

[Cynaburst]

Re: pregnancy after a myectomy and placement of an icd

I have an ICD now, although I didn't have one yet when my son was born in Nov. 2001. (He is almost 2 now and a guy on the go!) I had a very easy pregnancy with no real complications. I have read lots of literature on pregnancy and HCM, and all of it really says that it should be fine.

I just want to second Lisa's advice to you. There is no reason why you shouldn't go ahead, but it would be best for you to enlist the advice of a HCM specialist AHEAD OF TIME. That way you can be sure to be on the best meds for you and your baby, you will know what is safe for you during pregnancy, and you will be able to plan your delivery ahead of time. The thing that seems to be most crucial involves epidurals and other types of anaesthesia during delivery. I though that I had personally prepared for my son's delivery by meeting ahead of time with the anaesthesiologist and having my cardiologist involved in the pregnancy, but after I delivered (with an epidural, which I chose for myself), I passed out. My blood pressure was something like 50/30. Fortunately I was lucky, and after some IV fluids, I was fine, but if I were to do it again, I would have my HCM specialist involved in the planning.

By the way, I think you would probably expect some type of planned delivery...either an induction or a c- section. Best not to leave things to chance.

Good luck, and please keep us informed.

Cynthia