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Patient Success Story: Shannon Delivers Baby Ava After A Mechanical Valve Replacement!

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: May 10, 2025

There is nothing better than a great patient success story. So, when I received this update from Shannon about babies, bicuspid aortic valves, mechanical valve replacements and Coumadin, I just had to post it. Here is what Shannon wrote to me...

Hey Adam!

I know it has been some time since I last wrote to you with an update. I'm not even sure where I left off last time. =) Quick recap: I had an aortic aneurysm repair done in May 2009 at Emory University Hospital. Shortly after this surgery, I wrote you looking for advice on getting pregnant with a bicuspid aortic valve. WELL..... I am happy to report that it was very possible! I gave birth to my son in March 2011! I had no complications but was monitored VERY closely by my excellent team of doctors in Tallahassee, Florida. (I did have a scheduled C-section.)

Mechanical Valve Replacement - Pregnancy Success

Shannon with Tanner and Ava

Shortly after Tanner's first birthday, I started experiencing some breathing complications. It was determined that it was time to replace my aortic valve. After a lot of thought and prayers, my family and I decided that it would be best to get a mechanical valve since this was my second open heart surgery in three years.

My aortic valve was replaced with an On-X valve in March, 2012 at Shands in Gainesville, Florida. (I also had a PaceMaker put in shortly after the surgery.) HELLO COUMADIN....BYE BYE ANYMORE BABIES!

On-X Mechanical Valve

WELL.....I like a good challenge (and I don't like being told I can't do something)! I am happy to report that I just gave birth to my daughter, Ava, on July 22, 2014!!! I had a lot of conversations with my cardiologist, OB, and high-risk OB prior to getting pregnant. I switched from Coumadin to Lovenox injections for the first trimester, then went back on Coumadin for the second and third trimesters, and finally, back to Lovenox for the final month (just in case I went into labor....the Lovenox is out of your system quicker than Coumadin). I also was admitted to the hospital 2 days prior to my scheduled C-section to go on a Heparin IV drip. This was stopped around midnight before my surgery.

Baby Delivered To Mechanical Valve Replacement Mom

Baby Ava

It is so important for patients to be informed of all their options! Build good relationships with your doctors. I feel so blessed to have TWO healthy, perfect kids! Without the support of my doctors, I never would have thought it would be possible to have a baby while on Coumadin. All the information that is out there, just tells you all the negatives about pregnancy and Coumadin. I am so happy to report that it is possible to have a healthy baby after valve replacement!

I have attached several pictures of the new addition to our family!

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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