Congenital heart disease

Even if you are normally fit and well, pregnancy requires your heart to work harder. If you were born with a heart abnormality that affects how well your heart works, there is a potential for problems to arise.

Ideally, you should talk to your GP or specialist cardiac doctor if you’re planning on getting pregnant since it may be helpful to optimise your health or adjust medication before trying.

If you have a congenital heart defect, your midwife will refer you to an obstetrician. You may also have a cardiologist involved in planning your care. You are usually advised to deliver in an Obstetric Led Care Unit, rather than birth centre.

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Congenital heart disease can affect your baby in a number of ways. Babies may be smaller if the mother's heart does not pump as efficiently as it should and delivers less oxygen and nutrients to the placenta and developing baby. In addition, your baby has an increased risk of having congenital heart disease. Your obstetrician may arrange for you to have additional ultrasound scans and you will be seen regularly by your midwife.

For more information either look on the NHS choices website or click here

Improving the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of expectant mothers, infants, children and young people throughout Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Area.

(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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