Not all congenital heart defects can be prevented; however there are steps parents can take to increase their chance of having a baby born with a health heart.  

Maternal diabetes can develop during pregnancy, affect how a body's cells use sugar, and cause high blood sugar levels that can affect a pregnancy and a baby's health.   

The risk for congenital heart defects (CHDs) could be lower among pregnancies of women who regularly take a multivitamin with folic acid.  

Some data suggest that maternal smoking during pregnancy may increase modestly the risk of certain CHDs.