Medications, natural therapies, support

Medications

Medications for women with a heart condition can include antibiotics, and specially selected medications for the treatment of heart disease that are regarded as the safest in pregnancy. The use of medications is not desirable, but often necessary to keep the woman well for the pregnancy and her baby. There is no guarantee, but the probabilities of the baby being affected would be minimal.

Natural therapies

There is much emphasis on recommending the reduction of stress and anxiety in pregnant women who have heart conditions. Some women will use natural therapies to complement their medical treatment and to help with this aspect of their care. Discuss the use of any natural therapies with your Cardiologist, to ensure they will not interfere with your prescribed medications. You may wish to try our visualisation techniques or read about stress and relaxation.

National Heart Foundation support

For more information and support in Australia you can ring the National Heart Foundation on:

1300 36 27 87

Or visit www.heartfoundation.com.au

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Information sources

Gabbe S, Niebyl, JR, Simpson JL. Pocket Companion to obstetrics, normal and problem pregnancies, 3rd Edition, 1999, Churchill Livingstone, New York.
Stables, D. Physiology of childbearing with anatomy and related biosciences. 1999, Bailliere Tindall, Edinburgh.
 

 

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