High-risk pregnancy in women with heart disease

Framework: Although gestation marks some of the most important moments in a woman’s life, it becomes complex when associated with the problems, limitations, and risks inherent in heart disease. Objective: to comprehend the meanings women with heart disease attribute to their high-risk pregnancy and to identify their perception of the risks to the mother-child binomial. Methodology: A quantiqualitative study involving 39 pregnant women with heart disease from a public university of an inland city of São Paulo, Brazil, was conducted. Data were collected through interviews with patients and analyzed using the Discourse of the Collective Subject. Results: This study showed high-risk gestation is a process linked to personal satisfaction and fulfillment of a dream, often associated with a lack of planning, uncertainties and fears. Some participants anchored in religion/spirituality to overcome difficulties, while others used self-reliance as a support. The risks are poorly understood and often underestimated. Conclusion: High-risk gestation is a process associated with personal satisfaction, fulfillment of a dream and even a common experience, often permeated by negative feelings about the inevitable risks to the mother-child binomial.