Changes that occur in the mother's cardiovascular system during pregnancy:
The number of red blood cells increases
The volume of blood flowing to the uterus increases
Pressure in the veins rises, and swelling develops in the legs
Blood pressure drops because resistance in the peripheral vessels decreases
The heart begins to beat faster and pumps more blood into the vessels with each contraction
Remember that a mother's cardiovascular disease can also harm the baby's development. Possible complications for the baby:
Preterm birth and risk of fetal loss
Being born with developmental defects
Genetic inheritance of a heart defect
Women with cardiovascular disease are strongly advised to undergo medical check-ups when planning a pregnancy and throughout the pregnancy.
Information on this site is general and does not replace an examination by a doctor.