ACHD and Pregnancy

About 6 hours after she was born, Bethany went from being by all measures a perfectly healthy baby to turning blue. Doctors determined she had transposition of the great vessels, a heart defect that prevents oxygenated blood from properly circulating throughout her body. They quickly performed surgery to save her life.

Growing up, Bethany faced activity limitations and was embarrassed by her scar, but she has come to embrace it as something to be proud of; it’s a sign that she is alive and well after being born with a heart defect. Well enough, in fact, to become a mother.

When she first found out she was pregnant, Bethany knew she needed to talk to her doctors about what the pregnancy would mean for her heart. She was referred to Cincinnati Children’s, where her team guided her throughout her pregnancy and helped her feel confident leading up to the big day. Working with her OB, the doctors at Cincinnati Children’s made sure Bethany always knew what to expect along the way and saw her through to a successful delivery.

Now Bethany sees the doctors at Cincinnati Children’s once a year to ensure her heart is strong enough to handle all of life’s challenges and that she stays healthy for the long haul. After all, she now has two children to set a good example for—having successfully carried a second child with the help of her care team.

“It’s just worth it, you know? You want to go and get tested every year, and make sure that everything is going smoothly.”

(Published September 2018)