NERS NEWS, Surabaya — Professional Nursing students from Group 1/A2, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Airlangga, successfully organized a Hospital Health Education (PKRS) program titled “Pregnancy with Cardiac Disorders: Recognize, Understand, and Manage Risks Early.” The event was held on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in the waiting area of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, Surabaya, targeting patients, families, and companions.
The counseling aimed to raise awareness regarding the management of pregnancies complicated by heart conditions. Physiologically, pregnancy triggers significant cardiovascular changes that can increase cardiac workload, elevating the risk of severe maternal and fetal complications if not managed appropriately.
The event was warmly opened by Eka Shafira Audrina as the Master of Ceremonies (MC), who kept the session interactive. The core educational session was delivered collaboratively by Yulisa Putri Nabila and Mohammad Ferdy Arrosyd through lectures, two-way discussions, and visual media, including posters and informative leaflets.
The critical points delivered by the speakers included:
- Physiological Changes: How pregnancy exponentially increases the heart’s workload.
- Impact & Complications: Medical risks threatening the safety of both mother and fetus.
- Signs of Worsening Conditions: Recognizing acute symptoms such as shortness of breath (especially when lying flat), chronic fatigue, palpitations, and peripheral edema (swelling of the extremities).
- Self-Care Management: Compliance with routine check-ups at both the OB-GYN and Cardiology clinics, physical activity restrictions, and a low-sodium diet.
Supervised by the Clinical Instructor of the OB-GYN Clinic at RSUD Dr. Soetomo, participants were reminded of the critical importance of regular and tight monitoring for safe delivery. To ensure practical understanding, Galuh Julieta Puriningtyas and Elya Arundati led a demonstration on home care management, teaching participants how to monitor pulse rates, recognize emergency red flags requiring immediate ER visits, and position patients in a semi-Fowler’s (half-sitting) position to relieve shortness of breath.
The session was attended by approximately 30 to 40 participants who showed great enthusiasm during the discussion. Several critical questions from the audience were adeptly addressed by the student team, including how to differentiate normal pregnancy-related shortness of breath from cardiac-induced dyspnea, as well as the safety of vaginal delivery for patients with heart conditions.
Through this initiative, it is hoped that patients and their families can increase vigilance, recognize danger signs early, and actively participate in maintaining a safe, closely monitored pregnancy.
Author: Group 1/A2 Professional Nursing Unair
Editor: Farah Dina Azizatul Aulia (Airlangga Nursing Journalist)
