Perceptions and motivations of an Australian cohort of women with or without congenital heart disease proceeding to pregnancy

Although women with CHD were clinically identified as an at-risk group, with possible health complications for themselves and their infant, it was ultimately the women's inaccurate perception of the severity of their CHD and of the associated potential health risks that influenced their decision to pursue motherhood. This emphasizes the need for clinicians to have detailed knowledge of the cardiac abnormality and its implications in pregnancy.