Several studies show that caesarean section is performed more
often in women with heart disease than in a healthy population
[12, 13]. For most cardiac patients, however, vaginal
delivery is preferred and caesarean section is reserved for
obstetric indications, since caesarean section is associated
with more blood loss and higher thromboembolic and
infection risk. Examples of situations in which primary
caesarean section should be considered are start of labour
while on oral anticoagulants (because of risk of foetal
intracranial bleeding), Marfan syndrome with diameter of
the ascending aorta >45 mm, acute or chronic dissection, and
acute heart failure [6]. When vaginal delivery is chosen, it
should be decided whether the woman can be allowed to
push or if an assisted vaginal delivery is preferable. The
benefit of avoiding haemodynamic fluctuations resulting
from pushing must be weighed against an increased risk of
perineal trauma, haemorrhage and foetal head injury with
forceps or vacuum delivery. For most women, pushing may
be preferred above primary assisted delivery [14].