Important Tests during pregnancy help check the baby's growth and health, as well as the mother's well-being.
Fetal echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound test performed during pregnancy to evaluate the position, size, structure, function and rhythm of the unborn baby’s heart. An obstetrician is able to obtain a limited view of the baby’s heart during a routine pregnancy ultrasound. A fetal echocardiogram provides a detailed evaluation by a specialist in fetal echo of the baby’s heart.
Also Check: Fetal Growth Restriction
- Benefits of Fetal Echocardiography Pregnancy
- Who Needs Fetal Echocardiogram
- How Fetal Echo is Done?
- Why the Fetal Echo Test is Performed?
- What is a normal fetal echo report?
- What is the reason for a fetal echocardiogram?
- Which week is best for fetal echo?
Benefits of Fetal Echocardiography Pregnancy
One of the benefits of fetal echocardiography test is prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD). This allows the baby to have faster access to medical and surgical intervention after birth. In some cases, prenatal diagnosis has been shown to improve overall outcomes in babies with complex heart disease.
Who Needs Fetal Echocardiogram
Certain women are at a higher risk for delivering a baby with congenital heart disease. These patients should be considered for a fetal echocardiogram referral.
Indications include the following:
- Fetal heart abnormalities suspected from a routine obstetric ultrasound
- Family history (first degree relative) of CHD
- Abnormal fetal heart rate or rhythm
- Abnormality of another major organ system
- Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
- Sjogren’s Syndrome or Lupus (especially in the presence of ssA or ssB antibodies)
- Exposure to some drugs in early pregnancy, for example, some anti-epileptic drugs
- Hydrops
- Increased nuchal translucency on a first-trimester screening
- Chromosomal abnormalities associated with CHD
How Fetal Echo is Done?
Fetal echocardiography is a test that is done while the baby is still in the womb. It is most often done during the second trimester of pregnancy. This is when a woman is about 18 to 24 weeks pregnant.
The procedure is similar to that of a pregnancy ultrasound. You will lie down for the procedure.
The test can be performed on your belly (abdominal ultrasound) or through your vagina (transvaginal ultrasound).
In an abdominal ultrasound, the person performing the test places a clear, water-based gel on your belly. A hand-held probe is moved over the area. The probe sends out sound waves, which bounce off the baby's heart and create a picture of the heart on a computer screen.
In a transvaginal ultrasound, a much smaller probe is placed into the vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound can be done earlier in the pregnancy and produces a clearer image than an abdominal ultrasound.
Read More Posts:
- Prenatal Screening Tests
- Beta HCG Test For Pregnancy in First Trimester
- Double Marker Test in First Trimester During Pregnancy
- Triple Marker Test In Pregnancy
Why the Fetal Echo Test is Performed?
Fetal echo test in pregnancy is done to detect a heart problem before the baby is born. It can provide a more detailed image of fetus heart than a regular pregnancy USG.
The echo baby test can detect the following:
- Blood flow through the heart
- Heart rhythm
- Structures of the baby's heart
The test may be done if:
- A parent, sibling or other closest family member had a heart disease or heart defect.
- A normal pregnancy ultrasound detected an abnormal heart beat or possible heart problem in the unborn baby.
- The mother has diabetes (before pregnancy), lupus or phenylketonuria.
- The mother has rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy.
- The mother has used medicines that can damage the baby's developing heart.
- An amniocentesis revealed a chromosome disorder.
- There is some different reason to suspect that the baby is at higher risk for heart problems.
FAQS on Fetal Echocardiogram
1. What is a normal fetal echo report?
The normal fetal heart rate at 20 weeks should be between 120 and 180. The heart rate can be little higher or lower.
2. What is the reason for a fetal echocardiogram?
The reasons to have a fetal echocardiogram is the women who has diabetes or rubella or normal pregnancy ultrasound detect some heart problem. It may be suggested to look for any major problems with the developing baby's heart walls and values, the blood vessels leading to and form the heart, and the heart's pumping strength.
3. Which week is best for fetal echo?
Fetal echo in pregnancy is a test that should be done while the baby is still in the womb. It is most often done during the second trimester of pregnancy i.e between week 18 and 24.
Key Takeaways
We are expecting that the data shared here about Fetal Echocardiogram in Pregnancy is useful for you. If you have any doubts, leave a comment below. Stay tuned to our site for more pregnancy related articles.