Congenital Heart Disease and Pregnancy

Congenital Heart Disease and Pregnancy

Now, more women with congenital (from birth) heart disease reach childbearing age and get pregnant. These women may have been born with:

• Atrial septal defect
• Bicuspid aortic valve
• Coarctation of the aorta
• Marfan syndrome
• Tetralogy of fallot
• Ventricular septal defect

We refer women from the Northwestern Medicine Adult Congenital Heart Program who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant to the Northwestern Medicine Heart Disease and Pregnancy Program. There, they care for women with a congenital heart defects. Note that:

• Heart problems may occur during pregnancy. This may increase your risk of pregnancy complications.
• Your baby will have a higher risk of congenital heart disease compared to other children.