Prevention

Congenital heart defects generally cannot be prevented. But before and during pregnancy you can lower your risk of having a baby with heart defects.

Women who plan to become pregnant and women who are pregnant can lower their risk of having a baby with a congenital heart defect by taking steps to have a healthy pregnancy.

If you are thinking of becoming pregnant and you or your partner has a congenital heart defect, ask your doctor about genetic counseling. This may help you find out if you have an increased chance of having a child with a heart defect. A woman who has a congenital heart defect should try to find out if becoming pregnant will increase her risk of health problems.

If you are pregnant and someone else in your family has or had a congenital heart defect, talk with your doctor about tests that can tell whether your baby (fetus) has a heart defect. Some heart defects can be found before the baby is born, and treatment can begin early.