Most women with mitral valve prolapse have no complications during pregnancy or childbirth, and there is usually no risk to the baby; However, when associated with heart disease such as major mitral insufficiency, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation and infectious endocarditis, additional care is required.and follow-up to an obstetrician and cardiologist experienced in high-risk pregnancies is required.
Mitral valve prolapse is characterized by the inability to close mitral valves, which may have abnormal displacement when the left ventricle contracts., in most cases, asymptomatic.
- Treatment of mitral valve prolapse during pregnancy is only necessary when symptoms such as chest pain.
- Fatigue or shortness of breath develop.
Treatment in these cases should always be done with the help of a cardiologist and, preferably, a specialist in heart disease during pregnancy, who may prescribe:
In some cases, antibiotics may need to be taken during delivery to avoid the risk of mitral valve infection, but whenever possible, medications should be avoided during pregnancy.
Care for pregnant women with mitral valve prolapse should be
In general, mitral valve prolapse during pregnancy is well tolerated and the mother’s body adapts well to the overload of the cardiovascular system characteristic of pregnancy.
Mitral valve prolapse only harms the baby in the most severe cases, where surgery is required to repair or replace the mitral valve. These procedures are generally safe for the mother, but for the baby, they can pose a risk of death of between 2 and 12%, so they are avoided during pregnancy.