Woman with complex congenital heart condition welcomes healthy baby

A 26-year-old woman with complex congenital heart condition has successfully delivered a healthy baby at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital Al Qusais, in Dubai recently. The mother, who had previously suffered a miscarriage, faced enormous medical challenges, but her unwavering determination and the expertise of Medcare's world-class medical team made this miracle possible. Her pregnancy, a rare and high-risk case, required meticulous planning, intensive care, and constant monitoring to ensure the best outcome for both the mother and the baby.

The patient had congenital cyanotic heart disease, requiring three major surgeries during her early years to correct her circulatory system.

Although these surgeries improved her heart function, they also resulted in several complications, including elevated lung pressure, left heart pump dysfunction, a residual hole in her heart, and narrowing of a major blood vessel. These factors placed her at extreme risk during pregnancy, raising the chances of miscarriage, heart failure, stroke, sudden death, and significant morbidity for both the mother and the baby.

The cardio-obstetric team at Medcare Royal Speciality Hospital.

"Pregnancy is an incredibly challenging time for women with complex congenital heart disease," said Dr. Yogeeswari Vellore Satyanarayanan, Cardiology Specialist at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital. "In this case, we had to balance the risks to both the mother and the baby while ensuring the best possible outcome. With expert management and constant support, we were able to help this mother carry her pregnancy to term safely."

Second opinion

The mother sought a second opinion at Medcare Royal Specialty Hospital at 18 weeks of pregnancy after initial consultations at another hospital failed to identify the full extent of her heart condition. The team's thorough evaluation revealed severe pulmonary hypertension, left ventricular dysfunction, and a residual ventricular septal defect — conditions much more severe than initially diagnosed. With this new, more accurate understanding of her health, Medcare’s team devised a personalised treatment plan to monitor and manage her complex condition.

"Accurate diagnosis was critical in guiding our decisions and planning the best course of action," Dr. Yogeeswari explained. "We educated the mother on the specific risks her pregnancy posed, both to her heart and to the baby, and worked together to ensure the safest possible outcome."

The patient continues to receive ongoing care for her heart condition under doctor's guidance.

Despite the many risks, including the heightened chance of miscarriage, severe complications during labour, and a high likelihood of morbidity, the multidisciplinary team — including cardiologists, obstetricians, neonatologists, anaesthetists, and critical care specialists — provided round-the-clock care to the mother. Though she experienced challenges throughout the pregnancy, the team ensured the complications were addressed swiftly and appropriately at every stage.

When the mother’s labour began naturally, a normal delivery was attempted, but due to non-progression of labour, a Caesarean section was ultimately performed, delivering a healthy baby boy weighing 2.5 kilogrammes. This was a pivotal moment, as delivering a baby with a severe congenital heart condition often requires special consideration to avoid the risks posed by childbirth.

"Although normal delivery is usually preferred, we had to be prepared for all possibilities," said Dr. Yogeeswari. "A Caesarean section can introduce its own risks, such as haemorrhage and fluid shifts. However, with careful monitoring and management, we ensured a safe delivery."

Following the successful delivery, the mother faced the additional challenge of postpartum recovery. For women with congenital heart conditions, this period is often the most critical, as major haemodynamic changes continue to affect their heart function for several months. The mother required extended hospital care to stabilise her condition, but with expert medical support, she made a smooth recovery.

Dr. Sabeena Sadath, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Medcare Sharjah said, "Delivering a baby in such a complicated case is a remarkable achievement. The combination of the mother’s severe heart disease, the heightened risks during labour, and the complex decision-making required throughout her pregnancy made this case especially challenging. What we have seen here is the power of multidisciplinary care and careful, continuous monitoring. The teamwork between our specialists at Medcare was vital to ensuring that we achieved a safe outcome for both mother and baby. It's truly a moment to celebrate."

"Once she left the hospital, she was in excellent condition," Dr. Yogeeswari said. "We are proud to have supported this incredible mother through such a complex journey, bringing her healthy baby into the world."

The mother, Mrs. S. Mohammed, expressed immense gratitude for the care she received: “I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Yogeeswari and the entire team at Medcare for their dedication and expertise. Thanks to their support, I was able to bring my healthy baby into the world. This has been a challenging but miraculous journey, and I am forever grateful.”

This rare and remarkable case underscores the power of collaborative care, modern medical advancements, and the dedication of specialists who go above and beyond to ensure the safety and well-being of both mother and child. The patient continues to receive ongoing care for her heart condition under Dr. Yogeeswari’s guidance, and Medcare remains committed to providing world-class care for patients with complex and high-risk condition.