Cardiac Conditions in Pregnancy:

The Expanding Role of Midwives

This interesting webinar examines the breakup of medical words, and shows you how to work out the meaning of medical words even if you are unfamiliar with them. In this webinar the presenter will work with you showing you how to examine words, break them up and look at each part. 
CPD HOURS: 1
 Registration Year 2024-2025

Course Content

Cardiac disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Australia and worldwide. Pregnant women may develop cardiac problems or have pre-existing heart conditions that could complicate pregnancy. Early identification of these conditions can be crucial for preventing maternal and foetal morbidity or mortality.By learning how to assess cardiac function, midwives can spot potential red flags that might otherwise go unnoticed, leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes.

Midwives who are trained in cardiac assessment can provide more comprehensive care. Understanding the signs of heart-related issues ensures they can manage cases more effectively, make informed decisions, and better communicate with other healthcare providers like obstetricians or cardiologists.

Midwives already assess a wide range of maternal and fetal health factors, and the addition of cardiac assessment helps create a more holistic approach to care. It enhances their ability to monitor the overall health of pregnant women, particularly those at risk of cardiovascular complications, including hypertensive disorders, heart disease, and preeclampsia.

A well-trained midwife in cardiac assessment reduces the likelihood of missing early signs of heart complications, which could result in serious consequences. It also mitigates legal and professional risks by demonstrating a proactive approach to managing maternal health, particularly for women with pre-existing conditions like hypertension, depression, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease.

In this webinar the presenter will explore the data regarding the increase in cardiac co-morbidities in pregnancy and the urgent need to support and assist midwives with attaining advanced cardiac assessment skills. The presenter will introduce three scenarios relating to women with the most common cardiac complications occurring in pregnancy and postpartum. These three scenarios will be further expanded in a short Midwifery Cardiac Assessment online course, developed especially for Midwives by the Nurses For Nurses Network.

In case you need help with why this session may be relevant to your work

Cardiac disease is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in Australia and worldwide. Pregnant women may develop cardiac problems or have pre-existing heart conditions that could complicate pregnancy.

Early identification of these conditions can be crucial for preventing maternal and foetal morbidity or mortality. By learning how to assess cardiac function, midwives can spot potential red flags that might otherwise go unnoticed, leading to earlier interventions and better outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

In this session you will:
  • Explore the need for an increase in cardiac assessment skills for midwives 
  • Explore the term: "Cardio-obstetrics" or a “Pregnancy-Heart Team”
  • To raise awareness of the global concerns regarding cardiac co-morbidities with pregnant women 
  • Identify the most common cause of maternal mortality and morbidity  

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Anne Evans-Murray

R.N., BHlthSc, MACCCN, Grad.Dip Ed, MEd, Dip Counselling, GradCertCritCare, CertIV Training and Assessment, CertIV in Mediation
Anne has a passion for teaching which she does in an unpretentious way that ensures you will not only understand and retain what she presents but will enjoy this learning experience. She has extensive experience of over 26 years lecturing for Gold Coast Health District and Griffith University.