Any advice for going through pregnancy while having HCM?

Posted by ktbro @ktbrowning, Apr 22 2:27pm

28 years old looking to start a family- getting a consult through Mayo for a septal myectomy and trying to plan out what my future may look like during pregnancy with/without the surgery. Dr also suggested an ICD and I am really hesitant on that as well. Any experience or advice would be appreciated!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Support Group.

Debra, Volunteer Mentor | @karukgirl | Apr 22 3:31pm

Hi @ktbrowning ,
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.
Wow...that has to be a difficult challenge to consider.
I have absolutely no advice to give you from experience, but I can say that at my first consultation at the Mayo/Rochester, the doctor asked me about any pregnancies. I have never been pregnant, and he told me I was fortunate as pregnancy with HCM/HOCM can be very challenging on your body. Not to scare you, but he said dangerous.
The only good advice I can give you is to seek an expert in HOCM and get as much information as you can before you proceed.
You mention you are getting a consult through Mayo, do you have a date coming up?
Do you have your questions written down?
Do you have HOCM (HCM with Obstruction)? or HCM only at this time?

whidbey | @whidbey | Apr 29 1:59pm

I was pregnant with twins before I was diagnosed with HCOM. I had to go on bed rest for 5 months. I was out of breath and exhausted, but didn't know I had HCOM. I only tell you my story so you have a little data from someone who successfully carried and naturally gave birth to two babies when I didn't have the information about my condition. Knowledge is power, and working with your cardiologist and great OB/GYN will hopefully give you the information you need to make a healthy choice for yourself. BTW I did have a monthly ultrasound to check the health of both babies.