Labor Management of Pregnant Women with Fetuses with Congenital Heart Diseases

Pp: 195-208 (14)

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common defects at birth. Thus, their prenatal diagnosis is extremely important, since early intervention, when required, dramatically reduces newborn mortality. CHDs, that occur both at the intrauterine phase and during the first hours of life, are well tolerated and do not require specialized care during delivery. However, some severe CHDs have an increased risk of hemodynamic instability and may require maintenance of fetal shunts after birth. In these cases, planning the time of delivery and selecting a tertiary hospital are necessary. In some cases, there may be maternal or fetal indications to anticipate delivery, including a variety of obstetric ones. Thus, the birth of a newborn with CHD is a multidisciplinary event, involving obstetricians, neonatologists, and cardiologists.

Keywords: Congenital heart defects, Neonatal care, Prenatal diagnosis, Type of delivery.

Cite as