Mom's Double Emergency: Baby Born Same Day as Her Own Life-Saving Heart Op

The moment Kirsten Dorsey realized she would deliver her second child and have open-heart surgery on the same day, her heart raced and her breath quickened. Adding to the anxiety of already being in a high-risk pregnancy, Kirsten was dealing with cardiovascular issues that became more severe as her due date approached.

Kirsten had been diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis, a condition in which the aortic valve narrows, impeding blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body and forcing the heart to pump harder. The condition can be life-threatening if left untreated, especially in pregnant women who have a higher demand for blood flow to the fetus.

At 28 weeks pregnant, Kirsten found herself battling intense heart palpitations, dizziness, and joint pain. She visited her cardiologist, who ordered additional tests and told her that she would have to undergo heart surgery after giving birth. However, the situation took a shocking turn as Kirsten's condition continued to worsen, and her doctors realized that she might not make it to her due date without delivering and undergoing surgery.

At just 34 weeks, Kirsten's doctors discovered that her baby was in the breech position and her condition was declining fast. On the same day, Kirsten was scheduled for both an emergency cesarean section and open-heart surgery at the hospital. Knowing the gravity of the situation, Kirsten and her family were filled with apprehension and nervous energy.

As the medical staff prepared her for both surgeries, Kirsten received words of encouragement from her loved ones and reassurance from the surgeons who were about to save her life. Her anesthesiologist recalled walking her through the entire process, from positioning and sterile fields preparation to the immediate post-operative recovery.

First, Kirsten's baby girl was born via cesarean section, weighing 5 pounds, 1 ounce, in a procedure performed by a skilled obstetrician. The birth was surreal and swift – and a healthy relief for Kirsten's family and medical staff. After delivering her daughter safely, Kirsten's care team began preparing her body for heart surgery, focusing on proper positioning and cardiopulmonary bypass.

During the marathon 12-hour-long surgeries, Kirsten's heartbeat remained strong as her surgical team effectively replaced her infected aortic valve. According to her surgeon, the multiple emergency procedures went better than expected, making her health care providers and family relieved that Kirsten was doing well.

Though still recovering from her immense health ordeal, Kirsten is now awake and aware of her surroundings. Her cardiac issues are corrected, and mom is expecting to take baby home soon, following her remarkable triumph over double battles. For the time being, it's just one victorious milestone for her, a bright motherhood start despite tremendous complications faced along the journey.