Heart Care in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant or looking to become pregnant, and have a preexisting heart conditions or risk factors you’d like to discuss, please call our clinic to set up an appointment and learn more.
As a new mom, or future mom, you have a lot on your mind as to how to care for yourself and your child. For women with new or pre-existing heart conditions, this can be especially worrisome, as they continue along in their pregnancy.
The UF Health Heart Care in Pregnancy Program (HCiPP) is here to help. We want all new and future moms to know that we are here for them each step of the way, to help them have the healthiest pregnancy possible.
Our team of cardiologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists have teamed up to create a comprehensive program to help moms like you through this process. Each mom and pregnancy is unique, so our team tailors the approach to each mom and baby’s specific needs. From before conception throughout pregnancy and after delivery our providers at UF Health can provide comprehensive care to keep your heart healthy.
Pre-conception
Before conceiving, it’s important to understand your heart risks and how they will affect your pregnancy. Women with the risk factors below can come to our clinic to evaluate what treatment they’ll need to help them have the safest pregnancy possible.
Risk factors
- Pre-existing heart condition
- Congenital heart disease
- Arrhythmia
- Coronary artery Disease
- Heart failure
- Valvular disease
- Aortic disease
- Women over 35
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
Our teams are here to provide guidance on what your next steps should be.
During pregnancy
Once pregnant, moms need to be carefully evaluated and monitored for how their heart condition can affect them and their baby. Our team has outlined a treatment process that allows them to be thoroughly cared for throughout this time.
Evaluation and treatment process
Women will go through a thorough assessment with certain tests to help physicians identify all possible issues and put together an individualized treatment plan, which may include seeing these types of physicians:
- Cardiologists
- Cardiac surgeons
- Lung doctors
- Genetic counseling
- Pediatric cardiologists/surgeons
- Maternal-fetal medicine
After pregnancy
After pregnancy, it’s important to still monitor your heart condition to keep you as healthy as possible. Our team will help determine how often and what follow up care may be needed.
Pregnancy complications and future heart risk
Women who have certain pregnancy complications such as high blood pressure/preeclampsia, diabetes and preterm birth are also at higher risk for heart problems in the long term. We can provide tailored guidance on how to keep your heart healthy in the long term. Our team is here to support you and your family each step of the way - before, during and after birth.
