Have to give birth at 24 weeks

[ebartholow]

I really could use some adivce or some people to talk to. I went Monday to go see my heart doctor to tell him I am pregnant ( I have transposition of the great vessels and only the right side of my heart works) because I was told I was never able to be pregnant but I did. Anyway with me having the type of heart disease I do they dont expect the baby to keep growing at a normal state but if it shall happen to I would never be able to carry the baby full term because after giving birth at full with all the water you gain while being pregnant some would around my heart and they say I wouldn't live 24 hours after giving birth but if seems to still be growing at a good rate they basically want me to give birth at 24 weeks maybe a couple depending on how many complications but where me and my fiancé has the same type

[LaurainFL]

Wow--I don't have any experience with this, but I'm sorry you are dealing with this situation. My only advice would be to make sure you are being seen by a high-risk OB and specialists that have experience with this issue.

Hugs to you and your little miracle baby!

[MxMomma21]

I have no experiance with any of this!! That is just aweful I am so sorry for you! If your allowed I would drink the boost protein shakes to try and make your baby gain some much needed weight fast. But I know how scared you must be... On a positive side I have a friend who went into labor and her water broke at 24 weeks. Her little boy will be 2 in November. He did have many health problems to overcome with many surgeries but he is a thriving happy little boy. Slightly delayed developmentally because he was so premature. She was told he would not survive and to give up... But she didn't and he is here proving everyone wrong! It was a long battle in the NICU but they made it through! I will be praying for you, your LO and your family! How many weeks are you now? Good luck and keep us posted!

[hotpinkmomma0811]

I'll pray for a miracle.

[MaryJane]

Your blood volume and fluid levels increase throughout pregnancy until about 38 weeks when they actually begin to decrease. Is there a particular reason why they think going past 24 weeks would make you more likely to experience congestive heart failure than at any other point in your pregnancy? Fluid doesn't normally collect around your heart just because you are pregnant. IV fluids during labor may increase that risk, but it isn't something that normally just happens. Pregnancy is a strain on your heart regardless. I would advise you to consult with a maternal fetal specialist and get a second opinion from another cardiologist. I'm not saying that they aren't correct in their prognosis but that you should really cover the bases before making the decision to deliver at 24 weeks which some hospitals don't even consider viability. My friend has a major heart condition. She had open heart surgery right after birth and has had surgeries since then. She has had 3 pacemakers put in. She has had two healthy fullterm pregnancies and she was never supposed to have children. I'm not saying that that is the norm, but that it is important to consult with multiple doctors and have all the information to make a decision including closely monitoring your condition to see how far along you can carry the baby or if it's just too big of a risk for you to take altogether.

[TripMomma]

I agree, please see an MFM and make sure that delivering at 24 weeks is a must. Anything under 28 weeks is really quite scary as far as survivability goes, at 28 weeks and over the chances are pretty good at about 90%. Good luck.

[littlemonster]

I agree with PP's.
I would get a 2nd opinion. While babies born at 24 weeks can survive out the womb, it's still extremely risky and I would want to know all the options vs. only going that route. I think they're doing the whole "I'm a doctor, so just trust me" thing.
I'm high risk due to being a type 1 diabetic and I had one maternal fetal medicine doctor tell me that I needed to deliver at 36 weeks via c-section because of his experience with diabetes and pregnancy.
I got a second opinion and switched to the other doctor. They truly had mine and my baby's best interests at heart and while they don't normally see type 1 diabetics like myself (we are extremely rare where I live I guess), the hospital is willing to pay a specialist in another state (I want to say North Carolina) who does have the experience to help my MFM doctor with my pregnancy and delivery.

[ebartholow]

I have complex congenital heart disease basically transposition of the great vessels and only the right side of my heart works and they said with I carry to full term I will die 24 hrs pass giving birth because of fluid around my heart and the worse part Of it all me and my fiancé has the same type of heart disease so the baby has a 25% chance of being born with a heart defect

[ebartholow]

I am seeing 2 high risk doctors and they both agree that me giving birth at 24 weeks depending on the complications but if I don't have very many I may be able to wait 27 weeks but they don't want me going past 31weeks

[MashedUp]

I have complex congenital heart disease basically transposition of the great vessels and only the right side of my heart works and they said with I carry to full term I will die 24 hrs pass giving birth because of fluid around my heart and the worse part Of it all me and my fiancé has the same type of heart disease so the baby has a 25% chance of being born with a heart defect

This may be the case, but there is a huge, huge gap between 24 weeks and full term. I would most certainly be making lots and lots of phone calls and traveling to see other doctors/specialists no matter how inconvienient. You and your baby deserve it.

[ebartholow]

I've already talked to other doctors they agree with my doctor and for the baby I have the director for the doctor

[MashedUp]

Other doctors in the same practice? I'd branch out, look for a maternal fetal medicine specialist in your area.

[ebartholow]

Same practice I trust my doctors I have and hospital they've said my life a couple times before hand and my fiancé

[TripMomma]

I would push for a min of 27 weeks. That would give your baby a great chance at survival, and hopefully not too many lifelong complications due to being so premature.

You don't have to answer of course, and I am not trying to be mean....but with you and your fiance both having this condition, was this a planned pregnancy, is the baby at risk of being born with your heart conditions?

[ebartholow]

No it wasn't planned and yes 25% chance

[TripMomma]

I thought not, I am so sorry. I am sure you are stuck between being so happy....since you never thought you could/should get pregnant, and being so very scared at how it is going to tunr out. HUGS, I really wish you both lots of luck that things turn out well.

[pumpkinpeejays]

I'm so sorry for all the complications with your pregnancy! and many prayers sent to you and your baby.

[As Is]

What a difficult situation. I have to agree, having now seen it myself with these three, there is a PHENOMINAL difference between 24weeks and 27. If I hadn't seen them at our weekly scans I don't think I would've realized how much of a difference there is. I really hope your body & doctors lets you go as long as possible! Huge mama!

[Rae_1478]

Sorry, I have no advice, but it sounds like you've done your research. I'm sure as you get closer to the 24 week mark, your doctors will continually reassess things. Every day counts when a baby is that early. My DH's counsin has a heart condition that sounds similar to yours and it can be very scary business, especially when a pregnancy enters into the equation. I will be praying for both you and your baby's health and well being!

[CoffeeCat]

Sorry, I have no advice, but it sounds like you've done your research. I'm sure as you get closer to the 24 week mark, your doctors will continually reassess things.

I hope that this is the case also. Hugs to you for having to go through this difficult situation. I will be praying for your LO. Keep us posted as your pregnancy progresses.

[mmiller]

I have to say this even though every person is different. My best friend was born with congenital heart disease. The doctors told her parents that she wouldn't live to see her teenage years. After we graduated HS, she had 3 open heart surgeries. She got married at 21 and the doctors then told her no babies. She got pregnant and carried that baby for 37 weeks--she was surrounded by NICU doctors as well as cardio doctors b/c they didn't know what was going to happen in that delivery room. 3 years later, she had an even bigger baby that she carried for 39 weeks. Of course, she was monitored very closely throughout both of her pregnancies and of course there were dangers with both. I have to agree with PP that if your body is handling the pregnancy good, then I would push for atleast 27 weeks to give that baby a fighting chance. My friend fought for those babies b/c she wanted them so badly--they are 8 and 11 now.

[Suja]

Congratulations on your pregnancy, and Can't imagine how difficult this must be for you. As others have already said, there is a huge difference between 24 weeks and 27 weeks, so just be sure you're monitored closely and hopefully, you can get as close to term as possible without endangering yourself that will give you a healthy baby. And make sure you deliver some place with a top notch NICU. Since you will have a preemie, they will play a huge role in your child's early life. Good luck!

[prettydream]

I hope you and your little one keep doing well for as long near term as possible. I guess your doctors are thinking about the most difficult situation possible while talking about 24 weeks for delivery. Have faith in God and pray that you can get along as far as possible with this pregnancy. My best wishes and prayers are with you.

[learningasigo]

I'm very sorry you have to struggle with this. Praying for you.

[My2kidsandme]

I'm so sorry you're struggling with all this... I know it must be extremely hard for you to hear that you'd have to give birth at 24 weeks. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place, I can't imagine what you're going through but I hope all the best to you and your little one. My son was born premature at 33weeks and I was terrified but when I was in the NICU with all the other tiny infants not even weighing a pound I counted myself lucky. I've seen children born even earlier then 24 weeks so I think you and your little one having a great chance. It's good to have doctors you trust and a hospital you can count on, that's one thing I didn't have, I was shipped off to a whole different state and felt ignored throughout the entire procedure, my doctor couldn't even come and they wouldn't let me leave because my water had already broken. If I had gone where I wanted to I would have felt loads better with the people I knew around me. I'm sending prayers your way girl and hoping for the best for you both!

[Mynar]

First off, huge hugs.

How far along are you now?

I have never had the condition you speak of, but from my general experience with the medical community it seems that many doctors will give you the "worst case scenario". Not even so much that they believe it, but because they feel they need to cover all of their bases to protect themselves. For example, my second daughter had a rare cord defect. It ended up being no big deal, but they let me know from day one that there is a 50% fatality rate with it, plus all these other risks, and I was closely monitored. Is there any chance that they are telling you 24 weeks so that you can be mentally/physically/emotionally prepared are more likely taking it as a week by week scenario? My other thought, and this would be a somewhat personal question - but whose best interests do the doctors have in mind and how are they viewing the baby? For example, there are some people out there that don't consider a fetus to be an actual person until after it is born and survives - prior to that the mother's health is more important to them, as she is currently a "person". On the opposite end of the spectrum you see moms who sacrifice themselves and risk death/die to give their unborn child the best chance possible. Depending on where you and your doctors fall on the spectrum would obviously impact the plan for treatment/care.

Like the others have mentioned 24 weeks is very, very early and many of the babies born at that gestation do not make it. Some hospitals won't even provide treatments to a baby that young. I agree with getting a second opinion of a doctor outside of your practice, particularly a specialist. I would also try to push for a later delivery if it is feasible - the longer the baby is doing well in the womb, then generally the better their survival chances once they are born.

I would also use this time to find all the specialists you will need. It sounds like even in the best of circumstances there is a very good chance that the baby is going to be premature, which will likely mean a NICU stay. Combined with a possible heart defect will mean the need for possible specialist appointments, therapies, etc. that another baby wouldn't need. Have you had your developmental U/S yet to see if they see a heart defect? I would make as many arrangements now for things you are going to need after - from interviewing pediatricians and specialists to stocking up on preemie clothes and diapers and freezing dinners, to make things easier for you after the birth.

Best wishes and do keep us posted as to how things work out.

[Mynar]

I just realized this was a rezzed thread - any updates?

[moosh34]

According to the estimated due date she posted in October Due Dates, she'd be 27 weeks today. I actually thought it might be an update when it was rezzed. She hasn't posted since the end of April.