Resources for Obstetrician-Gynecologists

For Health Care Providers

At a glance

People born with heart defects need lifelong congenital cardiac care—but many of them aren’t getting it. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, your role in connecting people with heart defects to the care they need to stay healthy is important.

OB-GYN talking with pregnant patient

Overview

Take these steps to connect people with heart defects to a congenital cardiologist:

  1. Ask patients if they have a history of heart problems. You might have patients with heart defects who've never mentioned they have one.
  2. Ask patients with heart defects if they're seeing a congenital cardiologist. If they're not, explain why lifelong congenital cardiac care is important.
  3. Refer patients who aren't getting the care they need to a congenital cardiologist. If you need help finding congenital cardiologists in your area, check out the ACHD Clinic Directory.

Inform patients who are pregnant or plan to get pregnant that seeing a congenital cardiologist protects them and their baby.

Resources

The background shows a person talking with a doctor and the foreground includes this text "Congenital cardiologists can help people with heart defects stay healthy. Connect patients with heart problems to the care they need."
OB-GYN Social Media Graphics
Social media graphics and messaging about lifelong congenital cardiac care for OB-GYNs.
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How to Talk to People with Congenital Heart Defects about Lifelong Cardiac Care
Tips for OB-GYNs on how to talk with patients about lifelong congenital heart defect care.
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Content Source
National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD)
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: October 14, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: October 14, 2026

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.