Women with dilated cardiomyopathy are advised against undergoing pregnancy. If the defect was the result of myocarditis and ventricular function has improved to near normal, there is still the possibility that pregnancy will reveal cardiac inadequacies and that the pregnancy will need to be terminated.

If the decision is made to proceed with childbearing, it is imperative that the patient be monitored closely by a high-risk perinatal center. Regular echocardiography should be administered to detect any cardiac changes.

Anyone with congenital heart disease, repaired or non-repaired, should consult with their cardiologist prior to becoming pregnant to review the risks.