It is the first case in Italy and the fourth in the world that of the 36-year-old with the “half heart” who gave birth to twins in Rome. Her serious heart disease did not prevent her from carrying the pregnancy to term, despite the risks the woman could have taken.
The malformation
It is a complex congenital heart disease that requires a series of corrective interventions to be carried out within the first years of life. In this specific case, the patient underwent a single operation at the age of 4 to build an alternative circulation system, called Fontan, which brings blood from the vena cava directly to the lungs, without having to pass through the heart. Clearly, this condition subjects the body to constant strain and, in fact, close therapies and controls are necessary throughout life. In 5% of cases a transplant is achieved. In the absence of other complications, however, according to the indications of the international protocols on the matter, it is possible to undertake the path of maternity.
INSIGHTS
The pregnancy
Without the occurrence of further complications it is possible to embark on the path of motherhood. This is what happened in Rome, thanks to the determination of the young woman and the joint work of the doctors of the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital (who followed the woman since she was a child) and the Gemelli University Hospital, where the cesarean section was performed .
Childbirth
The mother and two children, a boy and a girl, are fine. «I knew I was taking a lot of risks with my broken heart, but I wanted to become a mother. The birth of the twins was an indescribable emotion”, declares the woman. The birth of the twins, both weighing 1.4 kg, took place in the 34th week of pregnancy, a few days ahead of schedule. After just ten days of hospitalization, the new mother was able to return home with her little twins.
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