Rebecca Smith’s rare heart condition makes pregnancy a dangerous journey for her
Her condition was missed during her first pregnancy but was caught after her son Nathan was born in 2007. After a tough recovery, she faced the same issue again with her second pregnancy in 2024. After giving birth to her second child, Rowan, she now takes nine different medications daily.
Rebecca emphasizes the need for early detection, saying it’s vital for pregnant women. She recalls being misdiagnosed with anxiety during her first pregnancy, even though she was really struggling. She had classic heart failure symptoms, but they were brushed off as normal pregnancy issues.
After Nathan was born, she was rushed to intensive care due to breathing problems. Doctors found clots in her lungs and heart, warning her of a potential stroke. Miraculously, the clots resolved on their own.
Despite her heart function returning to normal, she was advised against having more children for 17 years. But she thought she was fine and got pregnant again in 2024. Unfortunately, her heart function dropped during the pregnancy, leading to another diagnosis of peripartum cardiomyopathy.
Rowan was born safely, but Rebecca had to start a strict medication routine and even planned for Christmas in case she didn’t make it. Now, she’s committed to her treatment and has decided no more babies.
Rebecca is now using her experience to educate junior doctors about the symptoms of her condition, hoping to help others avoid what she went through.
