Pregnancy and Congenital Heart Disease

With the growth of the adult congenital heart population, the need for expert guidance regarding family planning, pregnancy, and genetic counseling has increased.  For many women with congenital heart disease — including complex cases — a healthy pregnancy is possible with careful monitoring and care. At the Schneeweiss Center for Adult Congenital Heart Center, our adult congenital heart disease experts work closely with maternal fetal medicine subspecialists to provide our patients with ongoing, highly specialized care during and after pregnancy.  

Our team of specialists have an understanding of the specific cardiac defect and related issues, including:

• Status of repair
• Heart muscle function
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Presence of arrhythmias
• Need for medications

For many patients who have a satisfactory repair, an examination, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram may suffice. In others with more complex congenital heart disease, such as a Fontan or Mustard repair, or the presence of residual coarctation or pulmonary hypertension, a more formal assessment of functional capacity and anatomy might be indicated. Regardless of the complexity, our team will work closely with you to help you reach the best outcome.