Managing a High-Risk Pregnancy With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Thaysnara's Story
Women with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy face unique challenges during pregnancy. A high-risk pregnancy with heart disease requires specialized cardiac and maternal-fetal medicine care to protect both mother and baby.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. Thaysnara Alves da Silva agrees, adding that it takes one to give birth as well.
Thaysnara lives with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition where the wall between the heart’s ventricles becomes thickened, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. Pregnant women with the condition are considered at high risk for complications and require special care.
“My OB/GYN told me what could happen,” said Thaysnara. “I was scared, but they gave me a hug and assured me I would have a good pregnancy.”
Maternal risk team helps Thaysnara manage pregnancy stress
Thaysnara, 31, said she first learned she had a heart problem following a motorcycle accident in 2018. She began seeing a cardiologist and taking medication, and continued that care with Virtua cardiologist Geoffrey Zarrella, DO, when she moved to South Jersey.
When she became pregnant, Thaysnara was referred to Virtua’s maternal-fetal medicine team, whose doctors are specially trained to manage high-risk pregnancies, including complex conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
“Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can lead to decreased blood flow, heart failure, and arrhythmias,” said Shailen Shah, MD, Virtua medical director of maternal-fetal medicine. “During pregnancy, the heart undergoes a lot of stress. When in labor, the heart rate is faster, and the heart must pump 50 to 100% more to deliver adequate oxygen to baby and mom.”
Due to Thaysnara’s cardiac condition, she received care through Virtua’s maternal risk program, which brings together multiple specialties to provide personalized, coordinated support for a safe pregnancy and delivery.
The team collaborated with heart failure specialist Rhondalyn McLean, MD, and other experts to ensure a safe delivery at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital.
“We decided Lourdes was the safest place for her to deliver because they specialize in cardiac surgery, have cardiology super-specialists, and their anesthesiologists are skilled at caring for high-risk obstetric patients,” said Dr. Shah.
A successful birth and exciting future
On July 1, 2025, baby Isabella was born via cesarean section by Virtua OB/GYNs Harsha Sharma, MD, and Danielle Wright, MD.
“There were a lot of doctors there. That made me comfortable that if anything happened, they were there to help,” said Thaysnara. “They told me everything would be fine, which gave me a sense of security that everything would go smoothly.”
Thaysnara and a healthy, 6-pound Isabella spent four days in the hospital. Maternity staff ensured Thaynara’s husband, Gustavo Nogueira, could spend the night in the room and provided a special celebratory meal before heading home with Isabella.
“Coming here was the best decision,” she said. “We want to thank everybody. The doctors, the nurses, everyone who was involved.”
Thaysnara continues to take medication for her hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and sees her cardiologist regularly. In September 2025, she received an automatic implanted cardioverter defibrillator, a small device implanted under the skin of the chest that continuously monitors the heart and delivers an electric shock if an irregular heart rhythm is detected.
Isabella will be monitored as well to see if she inherited her mother’s heart condition.
Like all new parents, Thaysnara and Gustavo have high hopes for their daughter.
“We want her to be a doctor,” said Thaysnara, “so she can help people like me.”
Trusted care for you and your baby
If you have heart disease, diabetes, or other condition and are planning a pregnancy, Virtua's high-risk pregnancy and maternal-fetal medicine specialists can help you plan a safe delivery. Call 888-847-8823 to make an appointment.
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