Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Congestive Heart Failure for the newly postpartum, how common is it?

My niece is currently in the hospital with CHF. She delivers via cesarean on Tuesday, August 18, 2015, discharged on August 21st, re admitted August 22 with pneumonia, last night we learned she now has Congestive heart failure. Her mother was notified at 5am this morning to come in and sign consents for her to go on a ventilator. Is this an uncommon procedure?? I don't know which way to turn. We as a family are at a loss and don't know which way to turn. Who should we contact? Should a cardiologist be called for a second opinion?

Hi,
Congratulations on your new baby! I am sorry that you have been diagnosed with this condition, during a time when you are already exhausted, overwhelmed...but also deliriously happy (hopefully some/most days!) with a new addition to your family.

Peripartum Cardiomyopathy is a rare condition (let me know if you would like some resources), and I would not say you are "ignorant" at all! It is not diagnosed until late in pregnancy or after delivery. I know what you mean about feeling "in the dark" by medical professionals, but the other side to the story is: they may not have mentioned this risk to you, as it is so rare. There are risks associated with everything we do (or don't do), and it is impossible to forewarn every individual about what may/may not happen to them.

I am surprised about the reluctance of the medical community now, however. Are you trying to find out more about your condition, or are you still trying to find out why they didn't warn you in advance? Trying to place blame would undoubtedly lead to other's being reluctant to engage in conversation with you, whatever their profession. I think many, if not most, of us have had diagnoses ourselves or within our families that have angered us; why weren't we told this was a possibility? I think this is a very normal emotional reaction to a chronic condition. Your diagnosis is one of those frustrating conditions (in my opinion, which I think you share), as this is a heart condition DEFINED BY the fact that there was no prior history of heart disease. The only "cause" is pregnancy...how frustrating is this?!

(I can relate slightly, as I had NO risk factors for diabetes, and developed gestational diabetes. The only cause? Pregnancy! Luckily, my gestational diabetes was cured when I gave birth, although I have a much higher risk of developing diabetes as an adult. A woman I met last month was Dx with gestational diabetes, and her's was not cured after delivery...now she is living with a chronic disease that was "caused" by pregnancy).

If you look at the risk factors, which are risk factors for practically any other health condition: obesity, having a personal history of cardiac disorders, use of certain medications, smoking, alcoholism, multiple pregnancies, being malnourished, etc. Do you have any of these risk factors mentioned above?

Have you heard of the Mother's Heart Network, a support network of moms diagnosed with Peripartum Cardiomyopathy?
This may help with your struggle to intellectually and emotionally wrap your head around this diagnosis.

Have you found any doctors who you feel are providing you with excellent care, both for your body, mind and spirit?