Fetal echo test in pregnancy

What is fetal echocardiography? Fetal echocardiography is a test similar to an ultrasound. This exam allows your doctor to better see the structure and function of your unborn child’s heart. It’s typically done in the The exam uses sound waves that “echo” off the structures of the fetus’s heart. A machine analyzes these sound waves and creates a picture, or echocardiogram, of their heart’s interior. This image provides information on how your baby’s heart formed and whether it’s working properly. It also enables your doctor to see the blood flow through the fetus’s heart. This in-depth look allows your doctor to find any abnormalities in the baby’s blood flow or heartbeat. Not all pregnant women need a fetal echocardiogram. For most women, a basic ultrasound will show the development of all four chambers of their baby’s heart. Your OB-GYN may recommend that you have this procedure done if previous tests weren’t conclusive or if they detected an abnormal heartbeat in the fetus. You may also need this test if: • your unborn child is at risk for a heart abnormality or other disorder • you have a • you’ve already given birth to a child with a heart condition • you’ve used drugs or alcohol during your pregnancy • you’ve taken certain medications or been exposed to medications that can cause heart defects, such as • you have other medical conditions, like Some OB-GYNs perform this test. But usually an experienced ultrasound technician, or ultrasonographer, performs the test. A c...

Identifying heart problems before birth ensures your baby gets the most effective treatment as early as possible. Our pediatric heart specialists use the latest technology to diagnose congenital heart defects while your baby is still in the womb. We offer resources for your pregnancy and delivery, and we help you prepare for your baby’s treatment before and after birth. If a problem with your baby’s heart is detected during a routine ultrasound scan, or if another medical concern is suspected, you will be referred to our fetal cardiology experts. Diagnosing congenital heart defects requires precise ultrasound evaluation, which is performed by pediatric cardiologists who are trained to recognize congenital heart defects as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy, and in some cases even earlier. We may advise you to undergo genetic testing if you have a family history of congenital heart disease, or if your baby may have a genetic or chromosomal abnormality. Our genetic counselors walk you through your baby’s risk factors and screening options and help you decide whether to undergo one of our advanced screenings. If you are diagnosed with Dedicated If a heart defect is found in your baby, your nurse navigator will guide you through next steps and connect you with the appropriate experts. In addition to answering your questions along the way, the nurse navigator will take care of some important tasks so that you don’t have to, including: • Obtaining your medical records, including ima...

All What to Expect content that addresses health or safety is medically reviewed by a team of vetted health professionals. Our MedicalReview Board includes OB/GYNs, pediatricians, infectious disease specialists, doulas, lactation counselors, endocrinologists, fertility specialists and more. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're reading.Learn more about | November 7, 2021 These days, it's pretty much routine for pregnant women in their second trimester to be scheduled for a level 2 ultrasound, more commonly called the 20-week anatomy scan. That's because practitioners have found that this special The 20-week anatomy scan is a fascinating opportunity to get a sneak peek of your baby — and fun to take home a souvenir photo to start the baby album. Here's what you can expect during your appointment. What is the 20-week anatomy scan? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says thatwomen should get at least one sonogram in the second trimester of pregnancy, and virtually all practitioners now order an ultrasound anatomy scan for their moms-to-be. At this appointment, a trained sonographerwill perform a detailed anatomy scan. Even if you had a first-trimester (level 1) sonogram to confirm or date your pregnancy, or as part of a first-trimester screening test, the more detailed level 2 sonogram is important because of all the additional valuable information it gives your practitioner about what's going on with your baby. Tru...

Fetal echocardiography, also called echocardiogram or echo, is a test that examines the fetus’ heart for abnormalities in function or structure. The test is valuable in diagnosis of many fetal cardiac disorders. It helps doctors determine if fetal surgery is needed and plan for the best treatment plans immediately after birth. Fetal echocardiography is not painful and does not harm the fetus. Fetal echocardiography, which is usually done between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to look at the function and structure of the fetal heart. The test is performed using one of the following routes: • Abdominal ultrasound: This is the most common method. • Endovaginal ultrasound: A small probe is inserted into the vagina. This type of echocardiogram may be done earlier in pregnancy. During the test, the ultrasound transducer is moved gently. It emits sound waves that “echo” off the baby’s heart and makes images on a computer screen.

Overview What is the 20-week ultrasound? A 20-week ultrasound, sometimes called an anatomy scan or anomaly scan, is a What is the 20-week anatomy scan looking for? A 20-week ultrasound takes measurements of your fetal organs and body parts to make sure the fetus is growing appropriately. The scan also looks for signs of specific congenital disabilities or structural issues with certain organs. Some specific parts your provider will examine are the fetal: • Heart. • Brain, neck and spine. • Kidneys and bladder. • Arms and legs. • Hands, fingers, feet and toes. • Lips, chin, nose, eyes and face. • Chest and lungs. • Stomach and intestines. The ultrasound technician will also: • Listen to the fetal heart rate for abnormal rhythms. • Check the umbilical cord for blood flow and where it attaches to the placenta. • Look at the placenta to make sure it’s not covering your cervix (placenta previa). • Check your uterus, ovaries and cervix. • Measure the amount of amniotic fluid. Several images are taken during this ultrasound. You will see the sonographer draw lines on the screen. This line acts as a ruler, documenting the sizes of organs and limbs. They compare these measurements against your due date. In some cases, you might hear you are measuring ahead, on track or behind your due date. If fetal measurements are within 10 to 14 days of the predicted due date, then the fetus is considered to be developing adequately. Your due date will not change unless the fetus measures outsid...

Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be filled with anxiety and uncertainty. One thing that expectant parents may worry about is their baby's health. This is why prenatal care is so important. During pregnancy, fetal echo test . What is a fetal echo test? A fetal echo test is a type of ultrasound that looks specifically at the baby's heart. It is a non-invasive test that uses sound waves to create images of the baby's heart while it is still in the womb. Why is a fetal echo test recommended? A fetal echo test is usually recommended if there is an increased risk of the baby having a heart defect. This may be because of a family history of heart defects or because of certain conditions in the mother, such as diabetes. It may also be recommended if there are any abnormalities detected during routine ultrasounds. Is fetal echo necessary? While not all pregnant women will need a fetal echo test, it can be an important tool for detecting heart defects early on. This can allow for early intervention and treatment, which can improve outcomes for the baby. What can a fetal echo test detect? A fetal echo test can detect a variety of heart defects, including: • Atrial septal defects (ASD): A hole in the upper chamber of the heart. • Ventricular septal defects (VSD): A hole in the lower chamber of the heart. • Tetralogy of Fallot : A heart disease that involves four abnormalities in the heart's structure. • Transposition of the great arteries: A condition where the two main ...

Overview of congenital heart disease Congenital heart disease is a problem that occurs with the baby's heart while the baby is still developing. It's seen in approximately 1% of babies born in the United States and is the most common form of birth defect. The baby's heart begins to form immediately after conception and is complete by eight week's gestation. The heart begins as a tube shaped structure that twists and divides to form the heart and heart valves. A congenital heart defect usually occurs because the heart does not twist or divide normally. Some mothers wonder if drugs, alcohol or medications contributed to their child's heart defect. In most cases we don't know why these defects occur. Although, some heart defects can run in families or be related to a disease the mother has, diabetes mellitus, for example. What is fetal echocardiogram? A fetal echocardiogram is a detailed ultrasound performed of the baby's heart before the baby is born. A small camera called a transducer is placed on the pregnant mother's abdomen and sends out ultrasonic sound waves. The ultrasound waves bounce off the baby's organs, including the heart and are sent back to the camera which then creates a moving picture of the different parts of the heart for the doctor to evaluate. The sound waves can also detect blood flow throughout the baby's heart. This enables the doctor to evaluate the structure and function of the fetal heart. Who needs one? Fetal echocardiograms are recommended for th...

Number 828 Committee on Obstetric Practice Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine This Committee Opinion was developed by the Committee on Obstetric Practice in collaboration with committee members Rita Wesley Driggers, MD and Allison S. Bryant, MD, MPH and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine in collaboration with Alessandro Ghidini, MD. ABSTRACT: The purpose of this Committee Opinion is to offer guidance about indications for and timing and frequency of antenatal fetal surveillance in the outpatient setting. Antenatal fetal surveillance is performed to reduce the risk of stillbirth. However, because the pathway that results in increased risk of stillbirth for a given condition may not be known and antenatal fetal surveillance has not been shown to improve perinatal outcomes for all conditions associated with stillbirth, it is challenging to create a prescriptive list of all indications for which antenatal fetal surveillance should be considered. This Committee Opinion provides guidance on and suggests surveillance for conditions for which stillbirth is reported to occur more frequently than 0.8 per 1,000 (the false-negative rate of a biophysical profile) and which are associated with a relative risk or odds ratio for stillbirth of more than 2.0 compared with pregnancies without the condition. Recommendations and Conclusions The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists makes the following recommendations and conclusions regarding indications for antenatal fetal...

Fetal echocardiography, also called echocardiogram or echo, is a test that examines the fetus’ heart for abnormalities in function or structure. The test is valuable in diagnosis of many fetal cardiac disorders. It helps doctors determine if fetal surgery is needed and plan for the best treatment plans immediately after birth. Fetal echocardiography is not painful and does not harm the fetus. Fetal echocardiography, which is usually done between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, uses ultrasound (high-frequency sound waves) to look at the function and structure of the fetal heart. The test is performed using one of the following routes: • Abdominal ultrasound: This is the most common method. • Endovaginal ultrasound: A small probe is inserted into the vagina. This type of echocardiogram may be done earlier in pregnancy. During the test, the ultrasound transducer is moved gently. It emits sound waves that “echo” off the baby’s heart and makes images on a computer screen.

Identifying heart problems before birth ensures your baby gets the most effective treatment as early as possible. Our pediatric heart specialists use the latest technology to diagnose congenital heart defects while your baby is still in the womb. We offer resources for your pregnancy and delivery, and we help you prepare for your baby’s treatment before and after birth. If a problem with your baby’s heart is detected during a routine ultrasound scan, or if another medical concern is suspected, you will be referred to our fetal cardiology experts. Diagnosing congenital heart defects requires precise ultrasound evaluation, which is performed by pediatric cardiologists who are trained to recognize congenital heart defects as early as 16 weeks of pregnancy, and in some cases even earlier. We may advise you to undergo genetic testing if you have a family history of congenital heart disease, or if your baby may have a genetic or chromosomal abnormality. Our genetic counselors walk you through your baby’s risk factors and screening options and help you decide whether to undergo one of our advanced screenings. If you are diagnosed with Dedicated If a heart defect is found in your baby, your nurse navigator will guide you through next steps and connect you with the appropriate experts. In addition to answering your questions along the way, the nurse navigator will take care of some important tasks so that you don’t have to, including: • Obtaining your medical records, including ima...