If you have a heart condition, you’ll need special care during pregnancy.
Here’s what to know.
Pregnancy makes the heart and blood vessels work harder.
During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 30% to 50% to nourish the growing baby.
The heart also pumps more blood each minute, and the heart rate increases.
Labor and delivery add to the heart’s workload too.
During labor, there are sudden changes in blood flow and blood pressure, especially when pushing.
After giving birth, stress put on the heart during pregnancy and labor slowly goes down over several weeks.
The risks depend on the jot down of heart condition and how serious it is.
Some examples are:
Heart rhythm issues.These also are called arrythmia.
Arrythmia can make the heart feel like it beats too fast, too slow or with an unusual rhythm.
Tell your health care team if you have any of these symptoms.
Heart rhythm issues can lead to blood clots.
And blood clots raise the risk of other heart problems and stroke.
Heart valve issues.The heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction.
Scarring or defects of the heart or its valves can raise the risk of complications during pregnancy.
So can having an artificial heart valve.
Valve problems or artificial valves carry another risk.
They can make you more likely to get an infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves.
This is called endocarditis.
Without treatment, it can be life-threatening.
Artificial heart valves that are made of strong, long-lasting materials are called mechanical valves.
Mechanical valves pose serious risks during pregnancy.
If you have a mechanical valve, blood-thinner medicines need to be adjusted by your health care team.
And the risk of life-threatening blood clots of the heart valves goes up.
Taking blood thinners can put the baby at risk too.
**Congestive heart failure.
**With heart failure, the heart doesn’t pump blood as well as it should.
As blood volume and stress on the heart rise during pregnancy, congestive heart failure can become worse.
You also might be at risk for heart problems during pregnancy and of premature birth.
Some heart conditions pose life-threatening risks for a pregnant person or the baby.
Depending on the circumstances, certain conditions require major treatments before you have a go at get pregnant.
For example, some people need heart surgery before they have a go at conceive.
This is because the risk of death or serious medical problems is very high for the pregnant person.
Medicine that you take during pregnancy can affect your baby.
But the benefits often outweigh the risks.
If you need medicine to control your heart condition, your health care team will prescribe the safest medicine.
And the amount that you take, called the dose, also will be tailored to your needs.
Use the medicine exactly as prescribed.
Don’t stop taking it or change the dose on your own.
Meet with your health care team before you attempt to get pregnant.
Start by making an appointment with your heart doctor, called a cardiologist.
Also make an appointment with the doctor who will handle your pregnancy.
You’ll likely be referred to a health care professional who takes care of people with very high-risk pregnancies.
This doctor is called a maternal-fetal medicine specialist.
Your medical team will check how well you’re managing your heart condition.
They’ll also consider treatment changes you might need before you become pregnant.
Certain medicines that treat heart conditions aren’t used during pregnancy.
Depending on your situation, your doctor might change your medicine or dosage before you become pregnant.
Ask what risks are involved.
You’ll see your health care team often during pregnancy.
Your weight and blood pressure will likely be checked at every visit.
You might need frequent blood and urine tests too.
How often you see your cardiologist during your pregnancy will depend on how severe your heart condition is.
Routine ultrasound exams can help track your baby’s growth.
Other types of ultrasounds can be used to find heart conditions.
Your baby might need to be closely watched after birth.
The baby may need treatment as well.
Take good care of yourself while you’re pregnant.
For example:
Keep your prenatal appointments.Visit your health care team regularly throughout your pregnancy.
Take your medicines as prescribed.Your doctors will prescribe the safest medicine at the dose that’s right for you.
**Get plenty of rest.
**Take a daily nap if you might.
And stay away from strenuous physical activities.
Watch your weight gain.Gaining the right amount of weight supports your baby’s growth and development.
Gaining too much weight places more stress on your heart.
Ask your health care team how much weight you should aim to gain.
Manage anxiety and stress.Ask questions about your progress.
Find out what to expect during labor and delivery.
Knowing what’s happening can help you feel more at ease.
Also, make time for things that relax you.
For example, you could try meditation or spend time in nature.
Know what’s off-limits.Don’t smoke, drink alcohol or take illegal drugs.
These can harm your baby’s health.
Ask if it’s safe for you to keep drinking this limited amount of caffeine during your pregnancy.
You may be told to drink less than 200 milligrams of caffeine a day.
That’s about the amount in an 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee.
Exact amounts of caffeine in coffee or tea vary by brand though.
Call your health care team right away if you have any symptoms that concern you.
This is called induced labor.
You might need this if your care team has certain concerns about your heart or blood flow.
Special equipment might be used to track your health during labor.
Your heart rate and rhythm might need to be monitored throughout labor and delivery.
Your contractions and the baby’s heart rate are watched closely as well.
Instead of lying flat on your back, you might be asked to lie on your side.
You might be asked to bring one of your knees toward your chest.
The anesthesia may be given through a thin tube into your spinal column, called an epidural.
Or you might receive it as a shot into your spinal column, called a spinal block.
If you give birth through your vagina, your health care team might limit your pushing.
To do this, they may use tools that gently guide the baby out of the birth canal.
If you’re at risk of endocarditis, you might receive antibiotic treatment just before and after delivery.
It’s unusual to need a C-section because of a heart condition.
Your heart also is monitored for the next day or two afterward.
Breastfeeding is encouraged for most women who have heart conditions, even many of those who take medicine.
Ask your health care team if any treatment changes need to be made before you dive in breastfeeding.
Some pregnant people were born with a heart problem that greatly raises the risk of endocarditis.
The infection is called mastitis, and it could pose a special risk for you.
Updated: 8/10/2023
Publication Date: 8/1/2005
