VSD - anyone know anything?

Dear all,

just a query - suppose I'm really looking for reassurance - has anyone had a baby/know of a baby born etc with VSD - ventricular septum defect - our 20 week scan last week showed a real possibility that our baby has it - we have a fetal cardiology scan booked in for asap (sadly not til next week), so am hoping that it will be ok. I know from what I've been reading that it depends on the severity of the hole, but I'd love some feedback and/or reassurance.... anyone?

worried now, but trying to stay calm... :pray:

Hi Catherine

My son has a massive VSD and several ASDs when he was born, none of which were picked up on scans during the pregnancy. His was a "worst case scenario" and he had two rounds of surgery before finally coming home at 3 months old. He is a healthy, beautiful soon-to-be four year old.

The paediatric cardiologist we saw in Brisbane was fantastic. Like any other visit to a specialist, it's best if you can think of some questions and write them down beforehand, as it's really, really easy to forget to ask things when you're in there.

I don't want to overload you with info, so feel free to ask any questions :-)

All the best.

I was born with a Hole in my heart. I had an op to fix it, a VSD repair, and that was when i was 8. (im almost 26).
Im sure technology has come a long way since my op. I had a check up every 2 years, Now i go every 3-4 years.
If your baby is a girl, she will most likely have to have antibiotics during labour (yes it is annoying trust me!!) but it is worth it in the end. I have a full happy life and there should be no reason that your baby cant either, although it depends on the size of the hole. (mine was the size of a 10cent coin i now have a pin ***** of a hole IYKWIM)
Try not to worry and im sure you will get all the answers you need.
Jenni

thanks so much for info and reassurance, I'm sure ours is not worst case scenario, so am feeling better about it already.. We'll see what the specialist says..

JENNY - I am having a girl as it happens, so I'll be sure to ask about the antibiotics thing. Why is that exactly, do you know?


C..

Something like if she gets a infection in her pubic region It can travel straight to her heart and cause serious complications etc. Also when she goes to the dentist she will have to have antibiotics aswell for the same reason. It can be annoying but with the correct management and discipline it is perfectly fine!! If you want to add me to messenger or email me my email is jenni29_30@hotmail.com.
Feel free to ask me anything!!
Jenni

Funny you say that Jenni... I had heart issues when I was 10 after dental work & was advised that it was due to a hole in my heart that they never picked up until then & now I always have to have antibiotics for dentistry... I had a full heart check 4 years ago and its gone now.

Jenni, thanks so much - I'll let you know how the tests go next week..

Christine - what I did want to ask was, as yours was a worst case scenario, did you have a caesar (seeing it wasn't picked up on, I'm guessing not?) and also, would he feed? I really want to have a natural birth and also breastfeed, but am worried that it won't be possible now..

hi catherine, have you looked at the royal children's hospital web page they have lots of parent info on VSD's and ASD's etc. just click on cardiology and it will direct you there. as for feeding some babys do find it difficult to breastfeed as they can become breathless, although after the repair they have no probs generally. if you want to breastfeed you can do so but might need to express and feed ebm via a tube until your little one is feeling stronger. in saying that she may have no probs. research as much as possible as you have been doing. and if you come to the royal children's hospital cardiology unit in melbourne i'll keep an eye out for you, that's where i work: -)
good luck
beckles

Catherine good luck with your scan. I have no personal experience with this but used to be a scrub Nurse at the Children's Hospital at Westmead. The surgical techniques these days are great and so are the cardiac surgeons there. There is a cardiology ward and from what I've heard they are more than happy to answer any questions you might have (seeing as you live in Sydney).

Just wanted to join in here - great to read such encouraging stuff. I just found out yesterday at my 18wk scan that my daughter has a large VSD and a narrow gap in her pulmonary valve. We are devestated but are trying to remain calm as we understand the prognosis may end up quite positive. Any more info would definately be appreciated as we can't get into Westmead Children's to see the peadiatric cardiologist until Jan 22 07.
I was really hoping for a VBAC this time around - does anyone know if that will still be possible or is a c/s inevitable?
Interesting info on the antibiotics for her too. Good to know.

Wishing you the very best Catherine with your princess and pray that everything will work out just fine for us both :hug:

Oh Rae, another little girl for you, how lovely.

Rae, when they say a large VSD, how large are they talking? Is there a chance it will close by birth? Erin was diagnosed (for lack of a better word) with a small VSD at the 20wk scan and it was supposed to close up by birth, but it didn't until she was nearly 6 months, but we didn't know this until her 6wk check up that she still had it becuase my Dr found a heart murmur when he examined her. It had closed up by 6 months though. As for a vaginal birth, I'm not sure, I suppose you will have to find out the severity of her VSD as to whether she could go through a vag birth. I know it is a big thing, but try not to stress too much as there is not much you can do until you have this next appointment with the pead cardiologist. *hugs* for you too.

Hi Sherie :) we don't know too much right now but the hole measured about 2.5 mm at the 18wk scan. It looks quite lage even to my untrained eye and the dr said it is severe but he was not qualified enough to tell us more.So glad Erin's hole closed up early on - i have faith my sweetheart will be ok too.

Rae Zeke had a large vsd and asds as well, as well as stenosis of the aortic arch. His weren't picked up in utero (they were far more concerned about the fact that his left ventricle was severely small. But this health concern was miraculously healed by the 32 week scan). As you've been advised, sometimes vsds close up by themselves, sometimes they don't.

Talk to the paediatric cardiologist about the risks associated with birthing a baby with a large vsd, to determine if a vbac is viable for you (and your little daughter).

All the best Rae. If I can answer any questions for you I will certainly try.

One more thing... try to avoid researching this on the internet.

Hi Octavian

I'm sorry I missed your post. Yes I did have C-Section, but not because of Zeke's health concerns. I had peace about my decision and that part of the birth all went really well. The Paed said in Zeke's case, he probably would not have survived a vaginal birth.

He could not suck when he was born, as his respiratory system was overwhelmed by the lack of oxygenated bloodflow (due to the holes in his heart and the narrowed aorta) and was tube fed for the first 3 months of life (every two hours around the clock, of which he'd vomit up at least half of every feed). So his weight gain was slow. He was far too ill to waste any energy on sucking, crying etc. The medical staff tried to keep him as calm and still as possible.

But remember.... his case was pretty bad. You should talk to your paediatric cardiologist about the risks involved in your birthing choices before you make a final decision. And it may still be possible to breastfeed. You should give it a try regardless. You can also express breast milk to feed to her as that will give her a great start, regardless of whether or not she starts out able to suck.

Hope that helps. And do let us know how your next scan goes. All the best.