Anybody's DC had an echocardiogram?

michelle16_01 · April 2010

DD has one tomorrow and I didn't even think to ask the ped. what all would be involved. She is almost 9 months old. They didn't say anything about putting her to sleep but I am wondering how they will get her to stay still and if they are going to let me and DH be there with her. We have to go to our hospital to have it done. She is having it done to check a possible heart murmur.

Thanks in advance!

eas15905 · April 2010

We had one done really early on. It was also in the cardiologist's office and not in a hospital. They had me hang out with her on the exam table and just tried to keep her calm while they did the EKG and sonogram. Also, during the EKG she just hung out with a bunch of pads stuck to her. It didn't hurt her one bit and she didn't mind it at all. Since your daughter is older I would definitely pack toys and things to keep her occupied. Good luck and I hope everything turns out ok.

vml14 · April 2010

We just had one yesterday, also to check on a heart murmur. The whole appt was pretty long -- about an hour -- we had an EKG (they put little pads all over the chest and a machine reads the heart activity), they took her blood pressure (with the cutest little blood pressure cuff you've ever seen), and then they did the echocardiogram. This part is like an ultrasound of the heart, and it took about 20 min. Our tech turned on a TV which helped to occupy LO for a while, but she was squirmy and cried through about half of it. Just make sure your LO is well fed and bring some toys. Don't worry if she's all over the place -- they're used to it. Hope all is well.

TheEnglishgirl · April 2010

I don't have any advice just wanted to wish you luck and hope all is ok.

manders726 · April 2010

vml14:
We just had one yesterday, also to check on a heart murmur. The whole appt was pretty long -- about an hour -- we had an EKG (they put little pads all over the chest and a machine reads the heart activity), they took her blood pressure (with the cutest little blood pressure cuff you've ever seen), and then they did the echocardiogram. This part is like an ultrasound of the heart, and it took about 20 min. Our tech turned on a TV which helped to occupy LO for a while, but she was squirmy and cried through about half of it. Just make sure your LO is well fed and bring some toys. Don't worry if she's all over the place -- they're used to it. Hope all is well.

This. DD has had quite a few since she's been born (has a VSD) and it gets harder as they get older. When she was 6 weeks old- slept the entire time. At a year old- holy hell. Bring snacks, bottles, toys, other stuff to distract them. The tech ended up giving DD her (very nice) watch to play with while she did the ultrasound because it kept her occupied.

manders726 · April 2010

Didn't see that you were going to the hospital- they may sedate her. Our cardiologist was telling us that he's the only pediatric cardiologist in the state that does echocardiograms in his office. Other pedi's send their patients to the children's hospital and they do sedate them there. Can you call your pedi in the morning to check?

michelle16_01 · April 2010

Thanks everyone. I will definitely take toys and snacks!

I may try to call in the morning. I would have though that if she would be sedated that surely they would have told me to watch how much she was eating or would have told me it had to be done earlier in the day (I requested it be later so I wouldn't have to take off work as early- no paid days left ).

Davesbride07 · April 2010

Ryan has had several

Some helpful tips:

Bring her favorite toy, they will let you and DH be with her. It will help to keep her distracted.Sing songs to her, and If worse comes to worse, they can give her a little bit of sedation to keep her calm and from moving around. Hope everything gies well. Let us know how it turnes out. If you need anything let me know

Daisy22 · April 2010

Bailey has had 2 done - one at 2 days old and one at 6 months old. You pretty much do everything in your power to keep them still. The nurse let ds play with the non attached electro thingy for a little bit then we watched elmo then we played with his mickey then I got a bottle out for the last part. Take a few special toys and if he takes a paci or bottle took those too.