Understanding Congenital Heart Defects: A Personal Story

Question
I am 24 years old, 19 December 2005 was the first date of my last menstrual period. My first baby was born on 03 May 2004 (Demi-Faith) I was 36 weeks preg when they noted her heart was beating slower than normal 110 bpm. When she was born the doctors at the Red Cross Children Hospital in Cape Town told me she was Dextrocardia, her Aorta was interrupted, she only had 3 heart chambers, her PDA valve was still open allowing blood to flow to her body. SHE DID NOT HAVE DOWNS SYNDROME. They could not determine what syndrome she had and as she had an yeast infection, she had double phneumonia and was sick.  We decided to switch the machines off at 6 weeks seeing as the doctors could not operate.  I am currently 18wks pregnant with my second baby, I dont know what the sex is, and I am hoping for a girl. I went for a Downs Syndrome screening and it was negative.  The baby's heartbeat is 150 bpm (or beats per second I dont really know) What could be the reason for this misfortunate thing? I am from a healthy family and so is my husband.  

Answer
A normal fetal heartbeat during pregnancy is 120-160 bpm. Your baby's heartbeat of 150bpm is within normal limits. There is no reason to think that this baby will have problems. However, I would suggest tht you get a fetal echo cardiogram during this poregnancy to assess the baby's heart. Otherwise,if all other parameters seem to be fine, don't worry.