Should we have another baby post pacemaker surgery?

First of all thank you to everyone who responded to my last post. I wish the site allowed us to like, as well as respond to replies. Again I'm a 39 year old with third degree AV block, my pacemaker surgery was on 9/17/2018. 

My wife and I have been trying to have another baby for close to 3 years now. During our last check up our doctor told us our best option would be IVF which would be very expensive and still not guaranteed. Due to the cost alone we have been hesitant to have another child. After my diagnosis we have even been more hesitant due to my condition being hereditary. Though chances of passing this on is low, it is still a concern. 

I'm posting to simply ask if anyone else has come to this crossroad? What was your decision making process? I have been given this opportunity to live longer so why not take advantage and reproduce, right? Then, there is also the other end, which is me spending more time with my 7 year old daughter and wife, and not take on additional responsiblities. Would love to hear what you all think. 

5 Comments

Children

by AgentX86 - 2018-10-14 20:59:05

I wouldn't give it a thought.  If the possibility of a pacemaker is the worst that a child can expect in life, it promises to be a truly remarkable life.

the future

by Tracey_E - 2018-10-14 22:25:00

Having a crisis in your life isn't a good time to make important decisions like having another kid. If all you have is av block, that has been corrected now so your life expectancy was the same as it was before you were diagnosed, therefore it shouldn't have any bearing on a decision to have more children.

Having been through fertility treatment, I can tell you it's not only crazy expensive, it's a heartbreaking, frustrating roller coaster. It's also worth every bit of it the first time you hold your baby. It's not a decision to make on a whim. 

I have congenital av block. I can think of a thousand other things that are worse. I'm healthy and active, mom of two, business owner... it doesn't slow me down at all and I, personally, wouldn't factor it into my decision. 

Too young for a pacemaker?

by AgentX86 - 2018-10-15 08:20:35

There is absolutely no such thing as being too young for a pacemaker! Your doctor should lose his license if this caused you to change your family plans. In any case, find another doctor. He's seeing a quack.

agentx

by Tracey_E - 2018-10-15 14:53:55

Jump to conclusions much?? He never even said his doctor's opinion, merely asked if anyone else has been in the same boat, so it's quite the leap to decide that the doctor told him not to, then another leap to the doctor being a quack who deserves to lose his license. 

really

by ROBO Pop - 2018-10-15 17:36:21

I frequently read posts and the Maxwell Not So Smart's replies and cannot get a correlation between the post and his responses. I suspect the stuff he smokes for his heart, that the 14 year old pharmacist on the street supplies, is warping his reality.

Haekel ~ You shouldn't be asking strangers this question. This is something you and your wife need to decide privately based on your situation, and I don't mean the pacemaker. As TraceyE said you can expect a normal life span so stop worrying about that. Good luck whatever you two decide

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Member Quotes

My pacemaker was installed in 1998 and I have not felt better. The mental part is the toughest.