Kirsten Dorsey faced a daunting reality when she learned that she would be welcoming her second child and undergoing open-heart surgery on the same day. Although initially overwhelmed, a wave of tranquility washed over her while she lay in a hospital bed in Connecticut, knowing she was in the right place. “Let’s do this!” she boldly announced, bidding farewell to her fiancé, Zac Connors, as the medical team prepared to wheel her into the operating room.
Just weeks prior, Dorsey, then 29 and already a mother to a one-year-old daughter, sat anxiously in her cardiologist’s office waiting for results from an echocardiogram and an electrocardiogram. Despite having no prior health issues, she had learned about her family’s heart health history, including conditions linked to Marfan syndrome, following the death of her grandfather from a heart attack associated with it. This genetic disorder impacts connective tissues and can cause aorta-related complications. During her pregnancy with her first child, she discovered the extent of her family’s struggles with Marfan syndrome, which put both her and her children at increased risk.
During a routine anatomy scan in her second pregnancy, Dorsey informed the maternal-fetal medicine doctor about her family’s health background, prompting a referral to a cardiologist for further tests. There, she received shocking news: she had an aortic aneurysm measuring 4.6 centimeters, just nearing the threshold at which surgical intervention is typically required. The focus shifted to her health and the health of her unborn baby.
The medical team devised a plan to ensure Dorsey’s safety and that of her child, which included an early cesarean delivery while keeping tabs on the aneurysm’s growth. Pregnant women with Marfan syndrome face heightened risks, especially as they approach labor, leading to the decision against a natural birth.
Disappointment washed over Dorsey at the thought of not experiencing a natural delivery this time, but the silver lining was that she knew when her baby would arrive. Unfortunately, a follow-up echo revealed the unexpected; her aneurysm had increased in size and there was a tear in her aorta. Fortunately classified as a “type B” dissection — a less severe form — it still posed significant risks to both Dorsey and her baby.
Upon receiving urgent instructions from her cardiologist to head straight to the emergency room, Dorsey immediately contacted Zac and her sister to watch over Olivia. With a heavy heart, she embraced her daughter tightly before heading to the hospital.
The care team wasted no time in planning the surgery, starting with an emergency C-section. Baby Brian was born at 31 weeks, weighing 3 pounds, 12 ounces, before being whisked away to the neonatal intensive care unit. Meanwhile, doctors conducted the necessary surgery on Dorsey, fixing her aortic aneurysm and replacing her leaking aortic valve with a mechanical one. Just two days later, Dorsey finally met her son and expressed her love amidst the chaos of his arrival.
As she began her recovery at home in Pomfret Center, Connecticut, Brian remained in the NICU, an hour away. The following month was filled with visits every few days as he gradually grew stronger, all while receiving regular updates and pictures from the NICU staff. The nursing team even helped foster a bond between Brian and his parents by allowing them to wear fabric hearts that carried their scents, then placing them in his crib.
At just over a month old, Brian finally came home. Now, eight months later, Dorsey has returned to her job in construction management and is slowly regaining her strength. She has been prescribed medication to maintain healthy blood pressure and heart rate, but she is restricted from lifting more than 50 pounds.
Genetic testing confirmed her diagnosis of Marfan syndrome, and while her doctors are keeping a close eye on the dissection, they are currently managing it with medication. “I’m not completely in the clear, and my life may look a little different, but I am grateful for my family and the medical care that supported me,” Dorsey reflected.
The Dorsey-Connors family has not yet pursued genetic testing for Olivia and Brian, but regular checkups are part of their routine. Dorsey also found solace in connecting with others living with Marfan syndrome, underscoring the importance of being informed about family health histories.
“We encourage everyone to communicate with their parents and grandparents about health conditions,” Connors added. The couple considers Brian a miracle baby, recognizing that if it weren’t for his pregnancy, Dorsey may have remained unaware of her heart condition for much longer. Dorsey is now committed to being proactive in understanding her health and ensuring the well-being of her children.