Heart Condition: Preparing for Pregnancy

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KEY POINTS

• Your body goes through many changes when you get pregnant. The changes may affect your blood pressure, your heart rate, and other body functions as well as the pregnancy.
• Most heart conditions that start during pregnancy are not serious and will not affect your pregnancy. Some heart conditions that you had before you got pregnant may lead to serious problems during pregnancy.
• If you have a heart problem, discuss it with your healthcare provider before you become pregnant. Until your heart condition is under good control, use a reliable form of birth control.

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How does a heart condition affect pregnancy?

Your body goes through many changes when you get pregnant. Your heart has to pump much more blood, which is more work for your heart and blood vessels. The changes may affect your blood pressure, your heart rate, and other body functions as well as the pregnancy.

Most heart conditions that start during pregnancy are not serious and will not affect your pregnancy.

• Many women develop a heart murmur during pregnancy. Most heart murmurs during pregnancy are harmless and usually go away a week or so after delivery. If your healthcare provider tells you that you have an unusual murmur, you may need an ultrasound test of your heart called an echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves (ultrasound) to see how well your heart is pumping. This test will help to see if there is a problem that will affect your pregnancy.
• An irregular heartbeat is common in pregnancy, but sometimes it can be a sign of a problem with the heart. Tell your healthcare provider if you are having a fast or irregular heartbeat.

Some heart conditions that you had before you got pregnant may lead to serious problems during pregnancy. The conditions can get worse and can threaten your health or your baby’s health. Some of these conditions are:

• A hole in your heart that you were born with
• A problem with a heart valve
• Heart problems during an earlier pregnancy
• Rheumatic fever
• A history of heart attack

Also, it is important to tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart surgery.

What are the risks?

If you know you have a heart condition, work with your healthcare provider before and during pregnancy to avoid these problems:

• High blood pressure during the pregnancy, which can cause problems for both you and the baby
• A miscarriage early in the pregnancy, or the baby might die in the uterus before delivery
• Early labor or early delivery
• Your baby might have birth defects, such as problems with the heart, kidney, spine, or brain. Some of these problems may be life threatening.
• If you have lung, blood vessel, or blood clotting problems caused by a heart condition, they may get worse.
• Your own heart condition may get worse.

You and the baby’s father may wish to have genetic screening before or during your pregnancy. Genetic screening is a way to check for birth defects or illnesses that might be passed from parents to children. Based on the information you give to your healthcare provider or your screening test results, you may have more tests. These tests are more than screening tests. They can diagnose certain conditions.

Your healthcare provider or genetic counselor will discuss any findings with you.

How can I have a healthy pregnancy?

If you have a heart problem, discuss it with your healthcare provider before you become pregnant. Knowing all of the possible risks related to your heart and pregnancy can help you make good decisions about your medical care.

Use a reliable form of birth control until your heart condition is under good control. Talk to your healthcare provider about what form of birth control is safe for you.

While you are pregnant, you may need extra care such as:

• More frequent checks of your heart condition at home and by your healthcare provider
• Changes in your medicine while you are trying to get pregnant and during pregnancy
• More frequent visits with both your obstetric and your heart healthcare providers to check your heart, lungs, eyes, and kidneys

Follow the full course of treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider. In addition:

• Keep all of your appointments with all of your healthcare providers.
• Eat healthy meals that include whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, and calcium-rich foods, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. Choose foods low in saturated fat. Ask your provider if there are foods you should not eat or if you should limit how much you eat.
• Drink plenty of water each day unless your healthcare provider has advised you to limit liquids.
• Take vitamins, other supplements, and medicines as recommended by your healthcare provider. Talk to your provider before you take any medicine, including nonprescription and herbal medicines. Some medicines are not safe during pregnancy.
• Unless your healthcare provider tells you not to, try to be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week. You might find it easier to exercise 10 minutes at a time, 3 times a day. You may want to take a prenatal exercise class. Ask your healthcare provider if you need to avoid strenuous exercise.
• Do not smoke, drink alcohol, or take illegal or recreational drugs.