Sophie, 34 years old

I’m the proud mom of a little four-month-old girl.
Something unique about me: I had a heart transplant three years ago.
It saved my life and allowed me to fulfill my dream of becoming a mother, something that had been completely inaccessible before.
That’s because I’d been diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy at 20.
My heart was too tired to the point that at the age of 30, I had to have a heart transplant, which happened quickly. After a year and a half, my cardiologist brought up the possibility of having a baby.
After changing my anti-rejection medications and having two control biopsies, we got his agreement.
Two months later, I was pregnant! It was such good news!
I had good care during my pregnancy and my heart was monitored every month. I heard these two hearts beating inside me: the transplanted one and my baby’s.
Everything went fairly well. Margaux was born after eight months of pregnancy. She was tiny but perfect and healthy.
I’m forever grateful to my donor, the medical professionals and my loved ones. Thanks to them, I’m alive and I was able to give life myself.
Organ donation is so important. It means giving life with the promise that it comes back around. We all need to become aware of this. That’s why I wanted to share my story on the Women’s Cardiovascular Healthcare Foundation website.