Pregnancy with adult congenital heart disease

Does congenital heart disease affect pregnancy?

Pregnancy is safe for most women with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD), and our experts at the Herma Heart Institute are dedicated to helping ensure the best outcomes for a healthy and successful pregnancy.

Specialty care for ACHD in pregnancy 

Research shows that women with ACHD have improved pregnancy and birth outcomes when cared for by board certified specialists. Our board certified specialists in adult congenital heart disease, work closely with maternal fetal medicine specialists and other providers to closely evaluate, monitor and treat you and your baby.

Who should see our ACHD specialists?

• Current patients in our ACHD program who want to become pregnant
• Any woman with congenital heart disease who is, or plans to become pregnant
• Pregnant women referred by adult cardiologists and maternal fetal medicine specialists

What care can I expect?

You will likely be referred to the Heart Disease in Pregnancy Clinic at Froedtert Hospital, which works in hand-in-hand with our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. There, you will receive comprehensive care from an expert team of doctors who specialize in maternal fetal medicine, adult congenital heart disease and obstetric anesthesia.

Our team works closely with you to ensure coordinated evaluation, care and monitoring. Doctors work with you to create an individualized care plan specific to your heart condition and other health needs.

• To ensure close monitoring of your condition and your baby’s development, you will be seen more often than a typical pregnant woman.
• A fetal echo is recommended at 20-22 weeks.
• We carefully coordinate your care to ensure that multiple appointments and tests can be completed on a single day, reducing your number of trips to the doctor.
• We work with you to develop a birth plan.
• We will see you at a postpartum appointment, and we will work with your primary care physician and cardiologist to ensure seamless, continued care.

What can I expect for delivery?

• A team of providers including maternal fetal medicine specialists and board certified ACHD specialists will participate in your care. Our team has the highest level of experience and expertise in caring for women with ACHD.
• If your baby is also expected to have a congenital heart defect or might need to be delivered preterm, the Fetal Concerns Center will help prepare you for the extra care you and your baby may need.
• In the case of a high-risk pregnancy or delivery, our level IV NICU in Milwaukee, the only one of its kind in Wisconsin, offers the highest level of care possible. Delivery and postnatal care take place under the same roof, keeping you close to your baby. Not every hospital NICU allows for this co-located care. 
• Most women with ACHD can deliver vaginally.

Expert care, close to home

Specialists provide care at several locations to help bring nationally recognized heart care and maternal fetal medicine closer to home for patients. Services for pregnant women with ACHD are provided in Milwaukee, Neenah, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Delafield, Kenosha and Green Bay.

View our locations.

Our specialists

Our team of cardiologists, board certified in ACHD, are pediatric experts in addition to being experts in caring for adults with ACHD. Meet our team.