Topic overview

Start with the big picture

Pregnancy brings substantial cardiovascular changes, with hemodynamic stress peaking in late pregnancy and rapid volume shifts making the early postpartum period important for monitoring. Care begins with maternal risk stratification and assessment of functional status, followed by review of medicines that may need to be changed before conception or during pregnancy. Management considerations include blood pressure and heart failure therapy, anticoagulation, arrhythmias, and infective endocarditis prophylaxis. Delivery planning addresses mode of birth, analgesia, and medicines used around labor. Postpartum care includes attention to volume status and anticoagulation where indicated, alongside counseling about breastfeeding and contraception. The full lesson develops these topics as a coordinated approach to maternal and fetal safety.