Fetal ECGs

Switzerland87

My OB wants to schedule me for a fetal ECG following our A/S next week, and I was wondering if anyone else has had one, and what exactly the procedure it entails? 

gringa78

Mine did because I have a clotting disorder called lupus anticoagulant that can cause heart issues.  It was basically an ultrasound where they spend a lot of time looking at the babies' hearts.  I went to the MFM's office for the ultrasound.

Good luck!

Switzerland87

gringa78:

Mine did because I have a clotting disorder called lupus anticoagulant that can cause heart issues.  It was basically an ultrasound where they spend a lot of time looking at the babies' hearts.  I went to the MFM's office for the ultrasound.

Good luck!

Thanks! My OB is sending me to a perinatologist at the hospital where I'll be delivering.  

SLPMel

I had one because DS had a single umbilical artery.  We went to the pediatric Cardiologist for the Fetal EKG.  They looked at both babies hearts just to make sure, and then we met with the Cardiologist to discuss the findings.  It wasn't too bad-it just took a long time with the two babies!

Switzerland87

Is it weird that my OB wants me to get one when there are no suspected problems? She said that so far everything looks good, just that twins sometimes have a higher risk for heart defects. 

erinruns

I had two of these down because they were watching us for TTTS.  I saw a pediatric cardiologist for mine and it was a no joke u/s.  Zero talking, no peeks at any baby, and nothing explained to me until later.  

starburst210

I had one with my DD and my current twins b/c my sister was born with a heart defect so it'a a family history reason.  With my daughter a tech did it in a hospital in NYC and it took quite some time....they listen to the heartbeats several times and also examine the heart to make sure it looks as it should at this point.  The doc then looked at the tech's exam and said everything looked fine.

This time around I was referred by my MFM to a pediatric/fetal cardiologist.  He did it himself and it was a bit quicker but again examined the hearts in detail while explaining some things to me.  Everything fortunately looked good!

All in all it feels like a sonogram.  It's not common to get a fetal echo done b/c usually it's done for a specific reason however you aren't the first person pregnant with twins who's doc suggested it just to rule out any issues....and hey it's another reason to get a sonogram so if insurance covers it it's prob worth the trip !

If you have any other q's let me know:) 

  

kafunder

SLPMel:

I had one because DS had a single umbilical artery.  We went to the pediatric Cardiologist for the Fetal EKG.  They looked at both babies hearts just to make sure, and then we met with the Cardiologist to discuss the findings.  It wasn't too bad-it just took a long time with the two babies!

Same here except it was DD who had the single umbilical artery. It was easy peasy. 

ninjabridemom

Switzerland87:

Is it weird that my OB wants me to get one when there are no suspected problems? She said that so far everything looks good, just that twins sometimes have a higher risk for heart defects. 

 

We had one b/c a niece and nephew each have VSD (the nephew much worse, the niece's already closed up), and Jake has a small heart murmur.

 

PP was right, it's no nonsense!! 

 

BUT the cardiologist said they can't diagnose VSD or murmurs in-utero b/c those are holes that are normal in fetal hearts and that close after birth.  Luckily they didn't see anything else, but it was a little frustrating that the ones we were worried about, they can't even see yet.

 

I'd ask what defects they are looking for specifically.  I think your doc is being very diligent, which is good!!

ninjabridemom

That's what we were told, and what my SIL was told (whose son has the bad VSD).  Maybe it depends on accuracy?  Like -- if they see something now, it doesn't mean it won't close up at birth?   I don't know.  I was just irritated, haha.

 

I'll take it as a good sign they didn't see anything!  They were very thorough in their examination regardless of what we thought they'd be looking for.  We saw a cardiologist at Children's in Boston so I'm pretty confident that, even if she was BS'ing us w the part about what they could diagnose in utero, it was a thorough exam.

 

All 4 were pointed out to me, too. It was actually a pretty cool appointment.  And the most colorful ultrasound we've had so far!

togagirl

SLPMel:

I had one because DS had a single umbilical artery.  We went to the pediatric Cardiologist for the Fetal EKG.  They looked at both babies hearts just to make sure, and then we met with the Cardiologist to discuss the findings.  It wasn't too bad-it just took a long time with the two babies!

One my mine also had a SUA.  It was long time to sit there and it's a different type of image so it's not as fun to watch as a regular U/S.  

macchiatto

I had one b/c some concerns about one baby's heart came up at the a/s. Like a pp said it's like a u/s that's just looking in-depth at the baby's heart(s).