Tuesday 10 June 2008

Edith Bowman reveals pregnancy danger

Pregnant DJ Edith Bowman has revealed that giving birth could put her life at risk, because she is suffering from a serious heart defect.
The 33-year-old star, who is five months pregnant with her first baby, told the Evening Standard that she has a bicuspid aortic valve, which increases her chances of dying in childbirth.
The DJ said that she will require a Caesarean section and that doctors must monitor her closely throughout her pregnancy.
Bowman said: "We get to find out the baby's sex later this month but I'm like, 'there are really more important things to worry about right now than the colour of baby clothes'."
"Basically I need these extra scans early in the pregnancy and I'll have to have a Caesarean because no-one - including my heart specialist - sees the point in putting my heart through unnecessary stress."
Bowman was diagnosed with the condition in summer 2004 after suffering palpitations and tiredness while working at the Glastonbury Festival.
She said: "It was shocking, obviously. But once you get your head around it, you realise there's nothing you can do except try and get on with life."
"I was told that the greatest risk is deterioration and that I may need a valve transplant later on, which is scary. But for now, it seems fine."