Fetal EchoCardiogram

Shellbaby84

I hadn't seen anything about this on the board, has anyone had one of these done? 

I went for a ultrasound checkup yesterday and she spent a lot of time taking pictures of the heart and looking at the chambers. (Which she told me ahead of time she would be doing, not sure if this is normal for about 21 weeks?) She said she needed a 30 second video of the blood flowing through the chambers, but every time she started recording she would get about ten seconds and then he would move and she couldn't get it. So the Dr. said I would have to go get a "special" (his words not mine) ultrasound called a fetal echocardiogram. 

I'm mostly curious if all this attention to the heart is normal at about 21ish weeks, or if I should be concerned. 

nunzchucks

@chickpea912 @missbhaven1024

chickpea912

Thanks for the tag, @lilnunz1

So, yeah, I was one of the lucky ones who got to do a fetal echocardiogram.  In my case, the NT measurement at 12w was above average, so once we got back the results from the amnio that everything was cool with the baby's chromosomes, this was another step - actually one we scheduled after the consult post-NT scan, as problems with the heart could be connected with the larger NT measurement blah blah blah.

We did the extra scan at my A/S, so I was on the table with my belly hanging out in front of MIL for a full hour.  I don't recall having to do a 30 second video, but they took over 60 images of the heart in various positions, and I got to do all sorts of gymnastics to help get the images they needed. 

I've never had that video taken, so I'm not quite sure why they seemed to think it was necessary - did they have any concerns before doing this scan?  Was it your anatomy scan or something else?  I might call the doctor to get more information and to see if there is anything in particular they are looking for, or if all of this is normal operating procedure at your practice.

Puka99

At my u/s yesterday th get spent quite a bit of time looking at his heart. And they did a video. Thr tech did and the MFM did later too. All looked good so there was no mention of any more testing needed. Hopefully it's just because baby wasn't cooperating for them. Hugs to you.

MissBHaven1024

I had mine done last Friday. It was a very easy appointment, and everything turned out to be fine. We had ours because of a spot they found on the heart at my A/S. The spot is quite common, according to the cardiologist, so he wasn't quite sure why anyone felt a need to follow-up with the echo, but I was happy to get good news and to see my little Isaiah for 45 minutes on ultrasound.

Shellbaby84

There were some prior issues, but they said I didn't need to worry about them. Four weeks ago at my appointment they said there were two soft markers for downs syndrome. One was a bright spot on his bowels (which is still there, but better) and the other was a small cyst on the brain that is now gone. They didn't know we had already had the panorama test done (which came back negative for downs) so when we told the Dr that we had it done through the RE and that it was negative he said there was nothing to worry about. This appointment he said growth was good. So I'm not sure why I need it unless the video is something new they do? 

Edit: They didn't mention anything about a spot on his heart. 

beaarthur4

I had to get a fetal echo a couple weeks ago due to a "poor obstetrical history" - I lost a baby boy at 17 weeks due to multiple deformities, including major heart problems.

I think nowadays doctors are slightly overly cautious and order tests pretty freely.  One of my OBs said it's routine for some practices to do the 8 week scan, early anatomy scan, 20 week scan , fetal echo etc etc etc.  I wouldn't worry too much - it seems like at every scan I had the baby wouldn't cooperate and it was hard for the ultrasonographer to get the pictures she needed.

I don't remember them taking a video, but I pretty much fell asleep during the appointment once I was told everything looked fine. The chair was so comfortable and I was sleep deprived.  

I do have to go back for another one in a couple months. 

I wish you the best - checking out your siggy, I am sure you're just ready to not feel so stressed about pregnancy (I am a nurse at an RE office and went through infertility myself- PCOS, too - I know it's hard)!!

ElTrain5

@jmar2011 off topic, but every time I see your siggy pic it makes me want a mimosa soooo bad!

fferreiralynn

I had one done last week I have HCM and their was some concern I'd pass my condition to my little one. I was told I would need an echo too. Everything went well. I hope everything works out. I agree with PP and I think your doc it just being cautious.

ahopkins0419

I had one done at 21 weeks only because my pregnancy is high risk because im diabetic. It was a very easy appointment just like an u/s. The appointment took maybe about 45 mins. Everything came out good and I have my fx s for your appointment and all the other ladies that will have one done

kks4471

I had one done for my type 1 diabetes. Took a full hour because baby wouldn't cooperate for the scan! It's just a very detailed look at the heart, and they also did a quick cord Doppler too. Good luck!!!

purtz

We have one scheduled for Valentine's day. It was offered as an extra test given my age, and heart conditions being the most common genetic risk of advanced maternal age (I'm only 37!). hey, I'll take an extra ultrasound and chance to see my baby again!

kjohnson1002

I've had two done. One right after the a/s when they noticed something and a week later to confirm. Both times it was a long time. They really wanted to get some good pics and they had trouble because he wasn't in a good spot. I'll go back every 6 weeks or so and they can monitor the development of the heart.

Cfleck2862

I had one done yesterday due to me being a diabetic and it can affect the baby's heart sometimes it was very scary going into it but everything was great I would recommend it just for please of mind . Hope all goes well

ksyknelvr73

I just had one done right at 22 weeks for an arrhythmia they wanted to investigate. It was just a reallllly in depth ultrasound for me. And luckily they explained everything as they were looking, and everything is okay with LO.

robbinrl

mullenem said:

I'm sorry you're going through this.  At my A/S they definitely looked a lot at the heart.  Not sure about the 30 seconds exactly but I do know that at one point, she switched the u/s to show colors for the blood flow and direction of flow and stayed on that for a while.  I don't have to have a fetal echocardiogram but I do have to go back from another u/s to take some more pictures of her heart as they weren't able to get everything that they wanted.

It may just be standard practice at your office that they send to a specialist if they can't get the shot the first time just to be on the safe side.  Hopefully that's the case.

This

With DD I had to have a 2nd US because they didn't get good pictures of the heart, but it totally makes sense that some offices would send you directly for an echo.

chloephoebecali

I'm getting one next week due to being on Zoloft. They looked at the blood flow for a decent amount of time at my a/s, so it just sounds like they just weren't able to get what they needed from your LO. I wouldn't worry.