Page 157 - Critical Maternity & Newborn Health Nursing

(1) Abortion. (2) Intrauterine growth retardation.

(3) Still birth. (4) Premature labor.

These complications are encountered especially in cyanotic heart

diseases

Management:

(A) General management:

1- More frequent antenatal visits.

2- More rest

3- Diet is directed to restrict weight gain and prevent anemia as it

increases cardiac strain.

4- Infection should be avoided and properly treated.

5- Hospitalization: if signs of decompensation occur, the earliest

evidence is tachycardia exceeding 100 beats/ minute and

crepitations at the lung bases. Rest in a hospital is desirable in the

last 2 weeks of pregnancy.

(B) Specific management:

Medical treatment:

1- Digoxin: is indicated in atrial fibrillation to slow the ventricular

response and I n acute heart failure to increase myocardial

contractility.

2- Diuretics are u sed in acute and chronic heart failure with potassium

supplements in prolonged therapy.

156 Table of Contents