Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM)

I'm not sure if any of you ladies have ever heard of or experienced Peripartum Cardiomyopathy (PPCM), but it's a heart condition (congestive heart failure) due to pregnancy. 1 in 3,000 women will fall victim to it. I am (thus far) a survivor of PPCM. I was diagnosed about 2 weeks after delivery of my first baby (a boy). I started experiencing symptoms about a month before I delivered (he was 2 weeks early). My symptoms were shortness of breath (especially on exertion), swelling of the feet & ankles, rapid weight gain in the last month of pregnancy, & extreme fatigue. All symptoms that could be easily explained away as end of pregnancy symptoms (as my OB/GYN did). This is a SERIOUS life-threatening condition that EVERY pregnant woman should be aware of!!! My son is now 4 years (& 2 months) old & I have a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) that is continually pumping my blood for my heart & am in need of a heart transplant. If you experience these symptoms, BEG your doctor for a BNP (blood test). It may have made a difference in my outcome had I known. I'm also not allowed to have more children now. Be your OWN advocate, ladies because no one else will!! Maybe not even your own doctor.