Heart Health and Pregnancy

Expert Care for Heart Health in Pregnant People in Central Massachusetts and Beyond

If you have a heart condition, the changes your body goes through during pregnancy can add extra stress to your heart. This can sometimes make heart conditions worse, or in rare cases, lead to new ones. At UMass Memorial, you’ll have access to specialists who understand how heart disease affects pregnant people. We work to keep your heart healthy, so you can focus on your growing family.

This offering is not widely available in the region. Services are available at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester. Depending on your health needs, we can work with your obstetrician so you may still be able to receive some of your pregnancy care closer to home.  

Heart Issues During Pregnancy We Care For

Our services are for people who have or are at risk for: 

• Arrhythmias  
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital (present at birth) heart disease 
• Coronary heart disease  
• Heart attack  
• Heart valve disease  
• High blood pressure  
• Pulmonary hypertension

Services for Heart Problems In Pregnant People

Preconception Counseling

Before becoming pregnant, we discuss how potential or existing heart issues may affect you. You also learn how we can help you stay safe during pregnancy, labor, delivery and the postpartum period.

Risk Assessments

We perform a comprehensive evaluation that often includes heart testing to learn more about your risk of complications. This information helps determine the next steps of your care: 

• Lower risk of heart complications: You may need periodic monitoring or no additional services. 
• Higher risk of cardiac issues: Our cardio-obstetrics specialist may provide ongoing care through the postpartum period.

High-Risk Pregnancy Care

Our cardio-obstetrics specialist is a maternal-fetal medicine doctor who specializes in managing high-risk pregnancies. They provide regular monitoring to assess your heart health and develop an individualized labor and delivery plan. This specialist works closely with a cardiologist who has expertise in cardiac conditions and the impact of pregnancy on women with these conditions.  Care may also include heart medications that are safe for you and your growing baby. Explore maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancy).

Labor and Delivery 

If you have a low risk of complications, we keep a watchful eye over you during childbirth. 
Patients facing a higher risk of heart issues during pregnancy may receive:

• Supplemental oxygen and advanced heart monitoring
• Guidance about birthing positions that protect critical blood vessels in your pelvis
• Medication to improve heart functioning during pregnancy and labor
• Extra monitoring during the labor process to help us manage your heart symptoms that may get worse during childbirth

Postpartum Heart Disease Management

Our specialist continues caring for you after you deliver your baby. We may need to adjust medications as your heart adjusts to body changes after birth. You also learn how to work heart-healthy habits into your busy lifestyle.

The Highest Level of Care for Heart Problems in Pregnant People

In rare instances, pregnancy and childbirth cause severe heart complications. UMass Memorial has all the expertise and services you need. We are one of the few programs in the region capable of providing intensive cardiac care to pregnant people at a moment’s notice.

Our Cardiac Intensive Care Unit is just steps away from Labor and Delivery at UMass Memorial Medical Center. Doctors specializing in life-threatening heart conditions can be at your bedside in minutes. Our inpatient team also includes critical care obstetricians who prevent and manage advanced conditions affecting pregnant people.