Key points
- If you're a woman living with a heart defect, you face unique reproductive health issues.
- You may need specialized medical care to manage your reproductive and heart health.
Overview
The reproductive system is a delicate and complex system in the body. In addition, pregnancy can put extra stress on the heart as it pumps blood to both the woman and the baby.
If you're living with a heart defect, you face unique reproductive health issues. You may have questions about birth control and pregnancy and how these effect your heart. Throughout your life, you may need specialized medical care to manage your reproductive and heart health.
Birth control
Limited information is available on the risks of specific birth control methods for women living with heart defects. Women with certain heart defects who are at increased risk of blood clots may be advised to avoid estrogen-containing contraceptive methods. Examples of these types of contraceptive methods are combined birth control pills, patch, and ring.
Your healthcare provider can help you decide which type of birth control may be best for you.
Preconception health
Preconception health care is medical care before a woman becomes pregnant. It focuses on increasing the chance of having a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. For women with heart defects, preconception health care may include:
- Assessing overall heart health
- Determining if any procedures are needed before pregnancy
- Discussing the safety of procedures or medications
Based on your individual health, your doctor or healthcare provider will suggest a course of treatment or follow-up care as needed. If you are considering having a baby, talk to your healthcare providers about how to prepare for pregnancy. You should discuss all medicines you take, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, herbal and dietary supplements, and vitamins.
1 in 5
Researchers have found that more than 1 in 5 women with a heart defect who became pregnant had not received any of the American Heart Association's recommended preconception health care in the year before conception.
Pregnancy
Many women with heart defects become pregnant. Following up regularly with your cardiologist (or heart doctor) can help you safely become pregnant and have a healthy baby.
Some women may need to have procedures done for their heart condition before becoming pregnant. Some may need to take certain medications to help their heart during pregnancy. If you have a heart defect or a family history of heart defects, talking with a genetic counselor could be helpful.
Possible pregnancy-related issues
Women with heart defects may have a higher risk for some pregnancy-related issues, compared with people without heart defects. Examples include:
- Anemia (not enough red blood cells to deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body)
- Hemorrhage (loss of blood)
- High blood pressure
Pregnant women with heart defects had more documented health issues compared with non-pregnant women with heart defects. Examples include:
- Diabetes
- Infectious diseases
- Mental health issues
Women with heart defects were more likely to deliver their babies before 37 weeks of pregnancy than people without heart defects. Although rare, women with heart defects may also be more likely to experience stillbirth than people without heart defects.
Pregnant women with heart defects had more adverse conditions during pregnancy compared with non-pregnant women. Examples include:
- Obstetric shock
- Heart failure
- Heart attacks
With appropriate medical care and treatment, many women with heart defects can have a healthy and uneventful pregnancy. If you are considering becoming pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider beforehand to discuss how pregnancy might affect you.