Thankfully, MVP is rarely a problem during pregnancy, as this brief article describes. The High-Risk Pregnancy Sourcebook When the mitral valve is weak and unable to stay closed during left ventricular contraction, blood is pushed backward into the left atrium. This can cause a prolapse of the valve leaflets toward the left atrium and a turbulence or regurgitation of blood. This congenital disease is found in about 12 to 17 percent of women of childbearing age. In fact, it may even improve during pregnancy due to the generalized dilation of blood vessels.
Most women have no symptoms of heart disease with mitral valve prolapse.
In rare instances, complications such as chest pain, palpitations or a sense of a racing heartbeat, and possibly fainting can arise. Implications for the Baby Mitral valve prolapse may be caused by a congenital condition, or by a weakening of the valve due to recurrent injury and repair. Regardless of the cause, the risk for your baby inside your uterus is minimal. Most moms and babies do very well with mitral valve prolapse. However, if you become significantly symptomatic and the blood flow to your uterus, placenta, and your baby are decreased, your baby will be at risk for growth problems.