The heart begins to take shape and starts beating in the first six weeks of pregnancy. Any issues during this time can cause structural problems in the heart. The minor defects do not need treatment but the others demand surgeries. To avoid such problems the mother could avoid certain risk factors like,
Control Diabetes: The mother can decrease the danger of congenital heart defects by keeping her diabetes in control.
Avoid Alcohol and Smoking: Alcohol and smoking increases the risk of congenital heart defects
Heredity: Genetic testing at the beginning of the pregnancy can detect such disorders