Pregnancy transforms your body as it adapts to support your baby’s growth and development. And while topics like morning sickness and weight gain get a lot of attention, there’s another critical change happening: your heart and circulatory system are working harder than ever.
Your blood volume increases by as much as 50% during pregnancy, and your heart pumps more blood with each beat. These changes are normal — but they also underscore the importance of heart health during pregnancy.
February is American Heart Month, and at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, we’re highlighting the importance of cardiovascular wellness during pregnancy. We offer midwifery and prenatal care in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia.
Here’s how pregnancy affects your heart and what you can do to support cardiovascular wellness before, during, and after pregnancy.
Carrying a baby increases the amount of energy your body needs. Your metabolism ramps up, and your heart rises to meet the challenge, too.
Your body produces more blood to nourish your baby, which means your heart needs to pump more with every beat. Since the amount of blood your heart pumps per minute rises significantly, your heart’s workload and heart rate increase (especially during the second and third trimesters).
Early in pregnancy, it’s common for blood pressure to decrease slightly. However, it can rise later, and if it gets too high, a serious condition called preeclampsia can develop. Hormonal changes and fluid retention during pregnancy can also affect circulation and blood vessel tone.
These adjustments are essential for a healthy pregnancy, but monitoring is important. Our team keeps a close eye on cardiovascular markers at your prenatal appointments, whether you have an underlying heart condition or you’re at risk for pregnancy-related cardiovascular issues.
Most people don’t experience complications with the cardiovascular changes that come along with pregnancy. However, some conditions may arise or become more noticeable when you’re pregnant, like:
High blood pressure can develop or worsen during pregnancy, particularly in the second half. Preeclampsia is a condition involving high blood pressure and organ dysfunction, and it can affect your liver, kidneys, and blood flow.
High blood pressure can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication, while preeclampsia is potentially serious and requires prompt medical care to protect both mother and baby.
Pregnancy naturally increases clotting factors in your blood, a protective mechanism that reduces bleeding during delivery. However, this adaptation can also raise your risk of blood clots during pregnancy.
Congenital heart defects, arrhythmias, or previous cardiac disease can be affected by pregnancy’s cardiovascular demands, making careful prenatal monitoring essential.
Also known as peripartum cardiomyopathy, this rare but serious condition affects the heart muscle, reducing its ability to pump effectively. While uncommon, it’s a condition that requires early detection and specialized care.
Prenatal care tracks your baby’s growth and development, but it’s also the best way to monitor your heart and overall health throughout pregnancy. We monitor your blood pressure at each appointment and can order blood tests to help assess risk factors, such as anemia or metabolic changes that affect heart health.
Monitoring for symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, severe swelling, or a rapid heart rate can help identify issues early, when they are most treatable. We’re also here to guide you on safe exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle habits that support heart and pregnancy health.
Certain symptoms during pregnancy warrant prompt evaluation, including:
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider and seek immediate medical care.
February is American Heart Month, and pregnancy is a pivotal time when your body’s demands on your heart are greater than ever. Staying informed empowers you to make smarter choices, and with comprehensive care from OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, you’ll have a team focused on you throughout the journey. Contact us to get started.
