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The article presents a study on the severe obstetric complications in the delivery and post-partum periods of hospitalized pregnant women with cardiomyopathy and other myocardial disorders. It discloses that 1.33 per 1,000 deliveries in pregnancy hospitalizations have myocardial disorders with 0.46 for cardiomyopathy and 0.87 for other disorders. It reveals on the important contribution of cardiomyopathy and other myocardial disorders to severe obstetric complications.

The article focuses on the management of pregnant patients with cardiovascular diseases. It notes that cardiac diseases increased the maternal mortality rate of pregnant women. It discusses the physiological processes of congenital heart disease and ischemic heart disease in pregnant patients and approaches in anesthetic management in labor analgesia and/or cesarean section. It also discusses the management of patient with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM).

The article focuses on the effectiveness of smoking cessation to prevent risk factors in pregnancy. After presenting an overview of the adverse effect of heavy smoking during pregnancy such as pregnancy complications and negative birth outcomes, the author underscores the advantages and disadvantages of nicotine replacement therapy in chain smokers. He suggests further studies that assess the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in pregnancy.

The article discusses the consequences of alcohol consumption during pregnancy. It mentions that alcohol consumption results to negative birth outcomes and developmental disorders. It also states that alcohol abstinence for both pregnant and preconceptional women is significant to avoid risk factors and complications in giving birth. Elimination and prevention of alcohol use among pregnant women are recommended.

The article discusses a population-based study in Nova Scotia that identified risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum requiring hospital admission during pregnancy. Eight percent was the overall admission rate for hyperemesis among 157,922 deliveries between 1988 and 2002. Hyperthyroid disorders, psychiatric illness, previous molar pregnancy, preexisting diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and asthma were statistically significant risk factors for hyperemesis.

The article reports a study which revealed that severe complications during and after childbirth increased significantly in the U.S. between 1998 and 2009. The researchers analyzed the rate of complications, including stroke, and kidney failure in women. Serious complications occurring during delivery included acute renal failure, shock, and need for blood transfusion; the number of cardiac surgeries also increased; poor outcomes were attributed to older maternal age and poor health.