During which gestational period is a pregnant woman with cardiac disease at highest risk for cardiac decompensation?

The period of 28 to 32 weeks of gestation is when a pregnant woman with cardiac disease is at the highest risk for cardiac decompensation due to several physiological changes that occur during this time.

During the third trimester, the volume of blood circulating in a woman’s body increases significantly as part of the body’s preparations for labor and delivery. This hypervolemia increases the workload on the heart. Additionally, as the pregnancy progresses, the growing uterus puts pressure on the diaphragm and the major blood vessels, which can further complicate cardiac function.

Women with pre-existing cardiac conditions may struggle to accommodate these changes, leading to symptoms of cardiac decompensation such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and edema. The risk peaks around this time because the cardiovascular adaptations that occur during pregnancy can become significantly more challenging for women with existing heart problems.

Understanding this critical window allows healthcare practitioners to monitor and manage the health of pregnant women with cardiac disease more effectively.