38YO Woman With Heart Condition Dies a Few Days After Giving Birth to Her Daughter

Last Updated on 2023-08-29 , 11:33 am

Risks are always involved when giving birth, especially if the expectant mother already has pre-existing conditions.

In this case, a 38-year-old woman had a heart condition.

Although she managed to give birth to two daughters within three years, she passed away unexpectedly a few days after giving birth to her second daughter.

Woman Passed Away a Few Days After Giving Birth to Daughter

The woman, Zhuo Xinling, suffered from a congenital heart valve disease.

She gave birth to her second daughter on 31 July, which was a joyous occasion. 

Zhuo Xinling was discharged from the hospital on 2 August but suddenly fainted at home the next day.

Her husband, 35-year-old Wang Minglong, told Lianhe Zaobao that he was driving to the hospital to pick up his newborn daughter on Thursday morning.

His father-in-law and his wife were waiting at home.

However, he received a call from his father-in-law when he was about to reach home, telling him that Zhuo Xinling had passed out.

Wang Minglong reached home in five minutes and found that his wife had no pulse.

An ambulance was called, and she was rushed to the hospital.

However, Zhuo Xinling was unable to regain consciousness.

According to her death certificate, Zhuo Xinling’s cause of death was valvular heart disease.

Speaking to Lianhe Zaobao reporters at the wake, Wang Minglong revealed that his wife suffered from congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV).

Wang Minglong said the doctor previously briefed the couple about the risks regarding childbirth due to this condition.

However, the doctor also mentioned that if the pregnancy was life-threatening, Zhuo Xinling would be advised to have an abortion.

Thankfully, Zhuo Xinling successfully gave birth to the couple’s older daughter two years ago.

Cheerful Despite Heart Condition

Zhuo Xinling found out about her condition when she was 19 years old.

Her elder sister, Zhuo Yuting, had brought home a blood pressure monitor given by her company, prompting Zhuo Xinling to try it out.

Zhuo Xinling was surprised to find out that her blood pressure was high.

After getting a medical examination, it was discovered that she suffered from BAV.

40-year-old Zhuo Yuting told Lianhe Zaobao that Zhuo Xinling was the fourth oldest in the family.

She had three older sisters and one younger brother.

Zhuo Yuting said Zhuo Xinling had to take medicine to control her blood pressure.

Despite this, she remained cheerful.

Zhuo Yuting added, “She was still very cheerful, always living in the moment, and always giving to the people around her.”

She also recalled how bold her younger sister was.

For instance, she participated in dragon boat activities even though she didn’t know how to swim.

Zhuo Yuting said that whenever her siblings showed concern for Zhuo Xinling’s safety, she would reply, “There is a life jacket!”

She also reminisced about the selfless nature of her younger sister.

“I remember that when she first bought a car, she always picked up friends, regardless of the location. She would never refuse if someone called her to ask her to drive.”

Left Behind a Husband and Two daughters

Wang Minglong took his older daughter to the hospital to say goodbye to her mother.

He told Lianhe Zaobao that his wife loved his older daughter.

He said, “Although my older daughter is still young, she saw that her mother was not moving. She knew it was not normal and kept crying afterwards.”

Though his daughters did not get to know their mother properly, he hopes they know their mother loves them.

He said, “I hope my daughters know their mother was kind and generous.

“She left so suddenly that none of us were mentally prepared.”

Pregnancy and the Heart

Pregnancy causes the body to change, including stressing the heart and the circulatory system.

The expectant mother’s heart rate increases.

Furthermore, her blood volume also increases by 30-50%.

Giving birth also adds pressure to the pregnant mother’s heart.

Thus, those with heart conditions need special care during pregnancy.

Heart conditions may increase risks like heart rhythm issues, heart valve issues and congestive heart failure.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) consider BAV to carry a high risk of complications regarding pregnancy and childbirth.

Unfortunately, according to a journal article published in the National Library of Medicine, BAV causes an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in pregnant women.

However, pregnant patients with BAV often experience safe pregnancies when given proper medical care.