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 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.