Heart Disease and Pregnancy, Know the Risks

Heart Disease and Pregnancy. Heart is a vital organ in human body that responsible to pumping oxygenated blood throughout the body. The fetus is also of course if the mother is in the process of pregnancy. The growing Fetus need food supplies of oxygen and nutrients from the mother and is met by increasing blood flow to the mother's body. Consequently, the mother’s heart would increase his activity especially during pregnancy is also process the blood dilution (hemodialysis) to ensure smooth supply of blood to the mother and fetus. The hard work is characterized by increased maternal heart rate.

What are the risks of heart disease and pregnancy?

The risks depend on the nature and severity of the underlying heart condition. For example;

Heart valve issues, if you have an artificial heart valve or your heart or valves are scarred or malformed, you might face an increased risk of complications during pregnancy. If your valves aren't working properly, you might have trouble tolerating the increased blood flow. In addition, artificial or abnormal valves carry an increased risk of endocarditis — a potentially life-threatening infection of the lining of the heart and heart valves. Mechanical artificial heart valves also pose serious risks during pregnancy due to the need to adjust use of blood thinners and the potential for life-threatening clotting (thrombosis) of heart valves.

Heart pulse issues, minor irregularities in the heart beat are common during pregnancy. They're not usually cause for concern.

Congenital heart defect, if you were born with a heart problem, your baby has a greater risk of developing some type of heart defect, too. You may also be at risk of premature childbirth.

Congestive heart failure, as blood volume gains, congestive heart failure can get worse.

Pregnancy with heart disease clarified in several classes:

Class I those who still can perform various activities without interruption.

Class II those people with a physical limitation of movement. That is when they do not feel the complaint rested, but with regular physical activity such as doing household chores they easily feel tired and palpitations.

Class III if only with a mild activism alone can make the patient feel disturbed such as shortness of breath.

Class IV are completely unable to perform any physical activity without complaint, including serious heart disease.

Patients on the grade I and II are still able to undergo pregnancy with strict supervision of obstetricians and heart specialist. For class III need to be in control of a doctor at the hospital, especially after 28 weeks of gestation. Grade IV generally do not allow to pregnant.

Heart patients that allow to pregnant certainly should always been under intense scrutiny and cooperation between obstetricians and heart specialist. You need to know that weight gain and anemia greatly affect the work of heart and can exacerbate the pregnant women condition with heart disease. Both of these require close supervision. When pregnant women too often complain of shortness of breath, could be a doctor suggested to be hospitalized. Basically, pregnant women need more time to rest. 

What should I do to prepare for pregnancy? 

Before you try to conceive, schedule an appointment with your cardiologist and the health care provider who'll be handling your pregnancy. Also meet with other members of your health care team, such as your family doctor. Your medical team will evaluate how well you managing your heart condition and consider any treatment changes you might need to make before pregnancy begins. 

Certain medications commonly used to treat heart conditions aren't used during pregnancy. Depending on the circumstances, your health care provider might adjust the dosage or make a substitution and explain the risks involved. 

If it is a process of pregnancy in women with heart disease, and pregnancy went smoothly childbirth can certainly be done. If necessary, the doctor will use a pliers-shaped tools (pliers) or vacuum extraction to the birth of a baby so much easier. Such actions will certainly do in case of deteriorating conditions both in the mother or fetus. If necessary, a cesarean section can be done.

So, this is all about heart disease and pregnancy, you may also read about Women Heart Disease Symptoms Facts.