Delivering care to women with congenital heart disease: the role of clinical nurse specialist.

CONGENITAL heart disease diagnosis; NURSES; PATIENT education; POSTOPERATIVE care; OCCUPATIONAL roles; MATERNAL health services; PATIENT safety; SELF-efficacy; MEDICAL care; PUERPERIUM; PREGNANCY outcomes; HIGH-risk pregnancy; PRENATAL care; NURSE practitioners; PATIENT-centered care; FETAL monitoring; COUNSELING; HEALTH promotion; MEDICAL practice

Congenital heart disease is now the most common reason for women to attend a high-risk joint cardiac–obstetric clinic. With advances in medical care and surgical techniques, most children born with congenital heart disease reach childbearing age and have a good prognosis for long-term survival with a good quality of life. Pregnancy remains a major life event for these women, posing additional risks with the potential for severe morbidity and mortality. The hemodynamic changes induced by pregnancy can unmask undiagnosed congenital heart disease or exacerbate pre-existing conditions. Therefore, specialist care is essential for a successful pregnancy outcome. Women with complex congenital heart disease embarking on pregnancy need the support of a multidisciplinary team, including cardiologists, obstetricians, anaesthetists, midwives and adult congenital heart disease clinical nurse specialists. Clinical nurse specialists in particular play a crucial role in coordinating, supporting, educating and advocating for the mother and fetus through preconception, pregnancy, the puerperium and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]