Medically complex pregnancy: a case report illustrating CNM/MD collaborative management

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Obstetrics

Background:

• Increasingly, women with complex medical conditions are pursuing pregnancy.
• Midwifery care can support the desire for a family-centered birth experience.
• Collaborative management between midwives and physicians is crucial for complex cases.

Observation:

• A case of collaborative management during pregnancy and delivery for a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome (WPW) is presented.
• The patient was diagnosed with WPW at 13, initially managed with medication, but later required cardiac ablation due to worsening symptoms.
• The patient sought midwifery care for a family-centered birth.

Findings:

• The article details the pertinent physiologic events, benefits, and process of collaborative care for a medically complex pregnant patient.
• A review of the cardiophysiology of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome is included.
• Successful collaborative management facilitated a positive birth experience.

Implications:

• This case illustrates enhanced care possibilities for medically complex pregnant patients through collaborative management.
• It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in managing challenging obstetric cases.
• The findings support the integration of specialized cardiac care within obstetric management.