Fetal Echo Cardiogram

nerdymama15

So I was wondering if an outpatient fetal echo cardiogram is standard?   At my last appointment I was seeing the one doctor that I do not like and seem to always be getting stuck with.    She made a comment we need to look at the baby's heart.  I was like why, everything in the anatomy scan was great.  She was like we need a fetal echo cardiogram.  I was like well can't you do that here.   She said that they do, do them there, but she was referring me/scheduling me at outpatient at Brenner Children's Hospital to get one done with a pediatric cardiologist.  I don't understand the purpose when I have not had any problems and nothing has been mentioned.  My DH can't go to the appt with me so I'm already nervous about having to drive there and that hospital is on a huge campus.    I mentioned this to one of my friends and she said she had to have one with a specialist and thought they were pretty standard.   Only thing is I have not read anything in my books about this being standard?  Have any of you had to have one of these when you've been told that everything is going fine?   My OBGYN has you see different doctors in their practice, but I always keep getting stuck with this one doctor that I can't stand.  This doctor even ran my 28 week labs during week 25.  Then I ended up getting schedule with her again for the next appointment.  I called today and got that changed to a different doctor.  I guess I'm just frustrated and confused.  But at my next appointment I plan on asking the purpose of this fetal echo cardiogram even if it is after the fact.

proudparent2b

It's not common at my practice. However, I did have a second sonogram at 28 weeks because the tech wasn't able to get all the readings at my 20 week sonogram. I noticed that they spent extra time reviewing baby's heart and face, but all appeared good and I haven't been asked to do anything else. I'm 29 weeks currently.

dshannah

I had a fetal echo because DH has a congenital heart defect and we were ruling it out for our son even though there was only a 2% chance of DS having it. It is absolutely *not* a routine thing, but something they will do if there are any risk factors, so it's not necessarily dire.

My guess is that they are trying to rule out a cord issue, or that your doctor heard something in the heartbeat that concerned her/him. It's probably nothing, but whatever they are trying to avoid is serious; it's a better safe than sorry thing. But they should have told you what the echo was for: that's just bad bedside manner that they didn't.

The pediatric cardiologist comes to my OB's office once a week from the children's hospital next door, so I didn't have to go to a different hospital, but if I had not been able to make that one three-hour time slot in that two week window where they can see things the best, I'd have had to go to the children's hospital and do it there.

mrstmoose

We found out at our last OB appointment that our girl has a heart arrhythmia. Her heart itself looks great, it just beats different. So we have one done weekly now. 

dshannah

Also wanted so say that the fetal echo was one of the coolest things I've seen: the doctor can see (and will show you if you ask) all the chambers of baby's heart, what direction the blood is all flowing, etc. It offers amazing peace of mind, because most of the issues they detect are treatable, but better to be aware of early. DH's heart condition, for instance, is not fatal if found, and if you have surgery before age 5 the prognosis is a totally normal life/lifespan.

gamommyx3

dshannah said:

I had a fetal echo because DH has a congenital heart defect and we were ruling it out for our son even though there was only a 2% chance of DS having it. It is absolutely *not* a routine thing, but something they will do if there are any risk factors, so it's not necessarily dire.

My guess is that they are trying to rule out a cord issue, or that your doctor heard something in the heartbeat that concerned her/him. It's probably nothing, but whatever they are trying to avoid is serious; it's a better safe than sorry thing. But they should have told you what the echo was for: that's just bad bedside manner that they didn't.

The pediatric cardiologist comes to my OB's office once a week from the children's hospital next door, so I didn't have to go to a different hospital, but if I had not been able to make that one three-hour time slot in that two week window where they can see things the best, I'd have had to go to the children's hospital and do it there.

I agree with this.  Crazy that she didn't tell you WHY she thought you should get this done even after you asked.  Can you call the office and speak with the office manager?  Let him/her know you asked and didn't get an answer, and ask another doctor to explain to you why it's being suggested.  At the very least the practice needs to be aware that she's sending you for a test without answering your questions, and leaving you to worry.

Vivian0809

That's insane and I'd ask why your Dr wants it done. I have had one with each of my pregnancies because of family history (my husband was born with a hole in his heart) it's in NO way a standard test and I wouldn't have it done without good reason.

nerdymama15

Well I went to it anyway.  The tech and the doctor at Brenners told me that a lot of the OBGYNs are referring pregnant mothers to them for this test if they have GD/Type2 or had a high A1C level from the first blood draw.  Okay I can live with that explanation.  It just ticks me off that the original doctor did not tell me that this was the reason for the test.  It's done as a precaution. 
On a side note, it was the most uncomfortable ultrasound I've ever been to.  I was only able to see the screen out of the corner of my eye.  The chair you had to set on was super uncomfortable and they pretty much stand you on your head (kind of like when you are at the dentist and they lean you back).  The baby did not like it.  I got kicked to death. I've never felt so much movement at one time before.  She was not a happy baby.  Test turned out great though.  No visible problems and has a strong and healthy heart.

gemini2005

Glad the test came back normal. That sounds awful though!  I hope you get to schedule with a different doctor from now on.

littlebb22

Sorry it was such a bad experience! We had one done at 23 weeks because we did IVF and there is a slight increase in the chance of heart abnormalities with IVF. Though it took awhile to complete they allowed me to see the screen the whole time and even printed out a few profile shots for me. Agree with PPs- try to see a different doc from here on out!

js8812

Yikes!  Sorry it was a bad experience.  I'm surprised it was so uncomfortable.  I've had a bunch of these before and I've always laid on my back or even slightly elevated and they typically have two screens to watch on as well.

At least it's over, they got the images they needed, and most importantly, everything looks good!