5 Things Women with Congenital Heart Disease Should Know Before Getting Pregnant

First published March 2015
Updated August 2026

Thanks to medical advancements, most children born with congenital heart disease (CHD) will grow up to lead full, active lives. Because of this, now more than ever, women with CHD are interested in starting families of their own. Although most of these women can successfully carry a baby, some may have an increased risk. If you are a woman with CHD and are interested in becoming pregnant, talking to your cardiologist before becoming pregnant is an important step to take. 

Here are the top 5 reasons why pre-pregnancy planning is important

1. Pregnancy puts extra stress on your heart: At around 12 days after conception, the placenta develops to provide the baby with nourishment (including oxygen) and remove waste. Embedded in the wall of the uterus, the placenta relies entirely on the mother’s bloodstream to function. This new demand for extra oxygen and nutrients forces the mother’s heart to work harder. While most woman can adapt to these changes, some may not. Your cardiologist will discuss with you how well they predict your heart to adapt to this new stress.
2. Dangerous medications: While there are many cardiac medications that are safe to take during pregnancy, some are unsafe for a developing baby. Therefore, it is important that your cardiologist reviews your medications before getting pregnant. They may want to make some medication changes to decrease risk to your unborn baby.
3. Abnormal heart rhythms: Pregnancy causes an increase in your total blood volume. This extra fluid stretches the heart muscles and may trigger irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Some of these arrhythmias may be dangerous. Your cardiologist will review your particular risk for developing arrhythmias during pregnancy.
4. Blood Clots: During pregnancy, women produce more clotting factors to prevent bleeding during childbirth. For women with certain types of CHD, this may lead to serious complications. Understanding your unique anatomy will help cardiologists determine how much of a risk this is to you. They will also discuss ways to decrease your clotting risk.
5. Specialized Care: Because of the unique challenges some women with CHD face during pregnancy, it is vital that your entire care team understands your particular needs. This includes both your cardiology and obstetrics teams. You may need a referral to a specialized team called Maternal Fetal Medicine. These physicians may provide your entire obstetric (pregnancy) care or work with your obstetric provider. Your cardiology care should be provided by an adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) provider. This is someone with specialized training to care for patients, like yourself, who were born with CHD.