Finally Pregnant...Will it Happen Again?

The idea of having another child was the last thing on my mind for first few years after Grace's birth. Once I got my health back in check, I consulted both an Obstetrician and my Rheumatologist on the chances of having another child with heart block. They both gave me the green light to have another child. When Grace turned two, Bill and I started trying to have another child. While we were pregnant within a couple of months of trying with Grace, this was not the case this time Six months went by with no pregnancy. I was 35 years-old, so I consulted a specialist. We completed all of the standard tests, and were told there was no physical reason for our infertility; my diagnosis was “secondary unexplained infertility.” Bill and I discussed our options, and we decided not to pursue any fertility treatments.

While in Rhode Island, I joined the local YMCA and exercised daily. My body was well-conditioned, and I was able to cut back on my frequency of Salagen (http://fdb.rxlist.com/drugs/mono-237-PILOCARPINE+-+ORAL), which I had been taking for dry mouth symptoms associated with Sjogren’s Syndrome. Just weeks prior to my 38th birthday, I was more than surprised to find out I was pregnant; I had thought I was entering perimenopause. A side note here on my infertility: I still do not know what caused 2 ½ years of infertility. I suspect that part of the cause was age-related; however, a few years later I read that Salagen had some negative fertility outcomes in rats. According to Novartis, the manufacturer of Salagen, “the effects of pilocarpine on male and female fertility are not known.”

While I was elated, I was also terrified at the idea of having another child with heart block. I immediately began seeking the help of specialists. After weighing my options, I opted not to take the steroids as a preventative measure. I was concerned about the effects of the steroids on both the baby and myself, while administering prednisone preventatively had not been proven to be effective. I then began the long wait to the window where heart block develops (generally 18-24 weeks). Along the way, I found out I was expecting a son. While I was excited, the gender did not matter to me--I just wished for his good health.

As the pregnancy progressed, I felt pretty good. At 17 weeks gestation, I began weekly stress tests that continued until the end of my pregnancy. I remained anxious through the weeks, but I no heart block developed. I delivered Josh on November 27, 2004; he was a healthy baby boy. I was concerned that heart block might develop after delivery. I watched Josh closely, but thankfully all continued to be well.