Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen and her children

Heart Stories – Jen Woleslagle-Stone

by

After a difficult first pregnancy, Jen Woleslagle-Stone had concerns going into her second. She tried everything in her power to make this pregnancy less stressful. Little did she know how much worse this pregnancy would be and the heart issues she would face for the rest of her life. Here is Jen’s story.

In November 2018 the two pink lines finally appeared. Admittedly, as much I yearned for a second child, I was not looking forward to another pregnancy. My first pregnancy consisted of horrible nausea, uncontrolled high blood pressure, and a scare with pre-term labor. As a result, I ultimately ended up delivering our first son via emergency C-section in May 2013. My blood pressure never quite resolved; however, medication helped maintain a normal range for years. 

I went into my second pregnancy proactive. For instance, we had a baseline urinalysis done at the start of my pregnancy. I also monitored my blood pressure daily. As my blood pressure was steadily increasing each week, my doctor prescribed me a pregnancy-safe medication. Much like my first pregnancy, I was rapidly growing in size. My fundal measurements were always weeks ahead of gestation.

Assuming the increasing fatigue and dizzy spells I experienced were due to my expanding size and a busy schedule, I continued to push through. My blood pressure seemed stable, considering my history, and I had never given much thought to my heart rate. My average readings were typically 120+ bpm while sitting at my desk at work. At each appointment, I presented my data to the provider and they reassured me that everything was normal.

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen pregnant

In early June (around 29 weeks) I was dealing with a horrible asthma flare-up (or so I thought). Just as I had with my first pregnancy, I began to experience frequent contractions. I was urged to go to labor and delivery to get checked out. After a few hours of monitoring, it was determined that I was having contractions. Luckily they were not causing any progression. The physician noted my heart rate seemed a little high but was likely due to the extra use of my inhaler over the previous days. I received some medication to help with subduing the contractions and returned to work the next day. 

Each day it became increasingly difficult to breathe. I had a constant feeling that I needed to cough, yet it was providing no relief. With my exhaustion, I physically could not keep my eyes open at times. Each time I took a shower I felt as though I was going to pass out. My vision became blurry, my heart was racing and I was unsteady. One evening my husband told me to go lie down and relax. I tried. I had a super active baby boy bouncing around, this nagging cough, and I couldn’t get comfortable no matter the position. Each time I tried to lie down I would feel like I was suffocating. To help, I spent the night trying to get some sleep upright.

The next morning, I told my son and husband I would be right back. Hoping to get a breathing treatment for relief, I went off to urgent care. After having my vitals taken I was immediately hooked up to an EKG. The physician told me the EKG was irregular and concerning and that she was calling an ambulance. Since I was receiving my prenatal care in our neighboring state of West Virginia, I called my husband to come to pick me up and take me there. I was 31 weeks at this point and didn’t want to take any chances.

Upon arrival, my heart rate was 143. I had an ultrasound of my legs done to rule out deep vein thrombosis. Next, a chest x-ray was ordered to rule out a pulmonary embolism. The chest x-ray revealed fluid on my heart and lungs. A bedside echo was immediately ordered, showing a reduced ejection fraction of 19%. An ambulance took me to a higher level hospital across the street. 

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen and family

A room full of medical professionals met me in labor and delivery. Again, the fatigue was so extreme I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Much of the initial experience is a blur. They ushered my husband out of the room as they rolled a crash cart to my bedside. In an attempt to regulate my heart rhythms I was given Adenosine, which essentially stops your heart for a moment.

After my peripartum cardiomyopathy diagnosis, the Cardiac ICU admitted me for about a week. During my ICU stay, I underwent a cardiac MRI and a heart catheterization. Due to being pregnant, I wasn’t able to get sedation for either procedure. These tests only further confirmed the rapid decline of my heart function. When I was stable, I transferred to Labor and Delivery until the birth of my son. Each day my goal was simply to survive. I had discussions with doctors of all specialties, informing me of the potential outcomes for me and my baby – talks of a heart transplant, life support, risks the baby would be facing, etc. 

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen in hospital

At 34 weeks, the heart failure and maternal-fetal medicine teams both agreed it was the safest option to deliver. I had already known going into this pregnancy that I would be having a repeat C-section. Unlike my previous pregnancy, the cardiology team was on standby outside of the operating room. Also, as a precautionary measure, I was prepped for life support.

The uneventful procedure luckily resulted in the safe delivery of our son. I was sent to a cardiac step-down unit for recovery and our son spent the following weeks in the NICU growing and thriving. 

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen's heart baby

Upon discharge, I followed up frequently with the heart failure clinic until it was evident that my body was responding well to treatment (Entresto, Metoprolol, Spironolactone, and various supplements). By February 2020 my ejection fraction had recovered to 50%. I’m still dealing with episodes of tachycardia, arrhythmias, and now AFib episodes. I will be on medication indefinitely, and the need for further intervention is a possibility.

Heart Stories - Jen Woleslagle-Stone's PPCM Story - Jen with sons

I feel very fortunate that I fell into the hands of a hospital familiar with PPCM. My hope for the future is that the simple BNP blood test will become part of the routine pregnancy-related tests administered. Early detection is possible! 

Do you have a heart story? Share Your Heart Story on This Mommy’s Heart.

531 thoughts on “Heart Stories – Jen Woleslagle-Stone”

  149. Monitoruj telefon z dowolnego miejsca i zobacz, co dzieje się na telefonie docelowym. Będziesz mógł monitorować i przechowywać dzienniki połączeń, wiadomości, działania społecznościowe, obrazy, filmy, WhatsApp i więcej. Monitorowanie w czasie rzeczywistym telefonów, nie jest wymagana wiedza techniczna, nie jest wymagane rootowanie.

    Reply

  415. Hi! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some
    targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Cheers! You can read similar text here:
    Najlepszy sklep

    Reply

  421. Hey there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist
    with SEO? I’m trying to get my blog to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very good success.
    If you know of any please share. Many thanks! You can read similar
    art here: Najlepszy sklep

    Reply

  493. PBN sites
    We’ll create a system of privately-owned blog network sites!

    Benefits of our PBN network:

    We carry out everything SO THAT GOOGLE DOES NOT realize THAT this A privately-owned blog network!!!

    1- We buy web domains from different registrars

    2- The main site is hosted on a VPS hosting (VPS is rapid hosting)

    3- The remaining sites are on various hostings

    4- We designate a separate Google profile to each site with verification in Google Search Console.

    5- We make websites on WordPress, we do not utilize plugins with assisted by which malware penetrate and through which pages on your websites are generated.

    6- We don’t duplicate templates and utilise only exclusive text and pictures

    We do not work with website design; the client, if desired, can then edit the websites to suit his wishes

    Reply

  504. PBN sites
    We’ll establish a web of PBN sites!

    Pros of our private blog network:

    We carry out everything SO THAT google DOES NOT realize that THIS IS A privately-owned blog network!!!

    1- We obtain domain names from different registrars

    2- The main site is hosted on a VPS server (Virtual Private Server is rapid hosting)

    3- Other sites are on separate hostings

    4- We assign a separate Google ID to each site with verification in Google Search Console.

    5- We develop websites on WP, we don’t use plugins with assisted by which Trojans penetrate and through which pages on your websites are created.

    6- We don’t duplicate templates and use only exclusive text and pictures

    We don’t work with website design; the client, if wished, can then edit the websites to suit his wishes

    Reply

  523. Rolex watches
    Understanding COSC Certification and Its Importance in Horology
    COSC Validation and its Strict Criteria
    Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, or the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, is the authorized Switzerland testing agency that verifies the accuracy and precision of wristwatches. COSC certification is a mark of superior craftsmanship and reliability in chronometry. Not all watch brands seek COSC certification, such as Hublot, which instead sticks to its proprietary stringent standards with movements like the UNICO, achieving equivalent accuracy.

    The Art of Precision Chronometry
    The core system of a mechanized timepiece involves the spring, which supplies power as it loosens. This mechanism, however, can be susceptible to environmental elements that may impact its accuracy. COSC-validated movements undergo strict testing—over fifteen days in various conditions (5 positions, three temperatures)—to ensure their resilience and reliability. The tests evaluate:

    Mean daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 seconds.
    Mean variation, maximum variation rates, and effects of thermal changes.
    Why COSC Validation Matters
    For timepiece aficionados and collectors, a COSC-validated watch isn’t just a piece of technology but a proof to enduring excellence and accuracy. It signifies a watch that:

    Offers excellent reliability and precision.
    Offers confidence of quality across the entire design of the watch.
    Is likely to retain its value more effectively, making it a wise choice.
    Famous Chronometer Brands
    Several renowned brands prioritize COSC validation for their timepieces, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, offers collections like the Record and Soul, which highlight COSC-accredited mechanisms equipped with innovative substances like silicon equilibrium suspensions to enhance resilience and efficiency.

    Historic Background and the Evolution of Chronometers
    The idea of the chronometer originates back to the requirement for accurate chronometry for navigational at sea, emphasized by John Harrison’s work in the eighteenth century. Since the formal foundation of COSC in 1973, the accreditation has become a standard for judging the precision of high-end watches, sustaining a tradition of excellence in watchmaking.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-certified timepiece is more than an aesthetic choice; it’s a commitment to quality and accuracy. For those appreciating precision above all, the COSC accreditation provides peacefulness of mind, ensuring that each certified timepiece will function reliably under various conditions. Whether for individual contentment or as an investment, COSC-certified watches stand out in the world of watchmaking, bearing on a tradition of meticulous chronometry.

    Reply

  525. Rolex watches
    Understanding COSC Accreditation and Its Importance in Horology
    COSC Validation and its Strict Criteria
    Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, or the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Agency, is the authorized Switzerland testing agency that certifies the accuracy and accuracy of wristwatches. COSC certification is a symbol of quality craftsmanship and reliability in chronometry. Not all watch brands pursue COSC validation, such as Hublot, which instead adheres to its proprietary strict standards with mechanisms like the UNICO calibre, achieving equivalent accuracy.

    The Science of Exact Timekeeping
    The central system of a mechanized timepiece involves the spring, which supplies energy as it unwinds. This mechanism, however, can be susceptible to external elements that may impact its accuracy. COSC-accredited mechanisms undergo strict testing—over fifteen days in various circumstances (5 positions, three temperatures)—to ensure their durability and dependability. The tests evaluate:

    Mean daily rate accuracy between -4 and +6 secs.
    Mean variation, maximum variation levels, and effects of thermal variations.
    Why COSC Certification Is Important
    For watch fans and connoisseurs, a COSC-validated timepiece isn’t just a piece of tech but a testament to lasting quality and precision. It represents a watch that:

    Offers excellent dependability and precision.
    Offers guarantee of quality across the entire design of the timepiece.
    Is likely to maintain its worth better, making it a wise investment.
    Well-known Chronometer Brands
    Several renowned manufacturers prioritize COSC certification for their watches, including Rolex, Omega, Breitling, and Longines, among others. Longines, for instance, presents collections like the Record and Spirit, which showcase COSC-validated mechanisms equipped with cutting-edge materials like silicon balance suspensions to boost durability and performance.

    Historical Background and the Evolution of Chronometers
    The idea of the chronometer originates back to the need for accurate timekeeping for navigational at sea, emphasized by John Harrison’s work in the 18th cent. Since the formal establishment of COSC in 1973, the certification has become a standard for evaluating the accuracy of high-end timepieces, maintaining a legacy of excellence in horology.

    Conclusion
    Owning a COSC-certified timepiece is more than an aesthetic selection; it’s a dedication to quality and precision. For those appreciating accuracy above all, the COSC validation provides peacefulness of thoughts, guaranteeing that each accredited timepiece will operate reliably under various conditions. Whether for individual contentment or as an investment decision, COSC-validated watches stand out in the world of watchmaking, carrying on a legacy of meticulous chronometry.

    Reply

Leave a Comment