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Prenatal EKG?

PrincessJess19PrincessJess19 member
in High-Risk Pregnancy
Doctor wants to do a prenatal EKG in January. I'm on Keppra for epilepsy and very well controlled. He said there's not much evidence of risk of heart defects while on Keppra, but there is risk with other anticonvulsants so he wants to be sure. I'm not so much worried abou the results but...
Can anyone tell me what to expect during the procedure? For some reason, what the doctor explained doesn't mean as much as someone who has first hand experience. TIA ladies!
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Re: Prenatal EKG?

  • cawettigcawettig member
    Is he talking about a fetal echo? I think that's the only way they can check the rhythm of the babies heart. I could be wrong though. I have had three fetal echos done and it's like an a/s but they focus on the babies heart. I liked to lay back and listen to the heart beating since all you can really see on the scan through most of it is the babies heart valves. Hope this helps :)

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  • kks4471kks4471 member
    I think you mean echocardiogram, not electrocardiogram. The fetal echo is just a detailed US of baby's heart. I have one scheduled for mid January too.

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  • PrincessJess19PrincessJess19 member
    I don't know. He used EKG specifically. I never had one with my first, and he was fine. I'm super nervous...
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  • jennybean80jennybean80 member
    I agree with PP. Your doc might have referred to it as an EKG because that is something most people are familiar with. I don't think you could do one in utero though because you wouldn't be able to isolate the electrical impulses from babe's heart versus your heart. If it is a fetal echo it's just an ultrasound that focuses in baby's heart rhythm and valves to make sure things are working properly and there aren't any defects.
    I had fetal echo with my first as part of a study, and with these babies since they were worried about a ventricular defect with Twin A. They are totally non-invasive but might take a long time. Make sure to let them know if you become uncomfortable and they can reposition you if needed!
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  • babylimasbabylimas member
    I have had a fetal echocardiogram and have a couple more scheduled. They are very simple. Essentially they are just long detailed ultrasounds of the baby's heart. I had two techs in the room (one ultrasound and one cardiology specific tech) and a cardiologist watching on the monitors outside. The cardiologist and MFMs would call in for pictures of specific things that they didn't think were clear enough. It took about 45 minutes, but we already have a defect diagnosis and know specifically what to look for. 

    And agreed on the repositioning. I tend to faint during ultrasounds, and I usually flip onto my side about halfway through. 
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  • PrincessJess19PrincessJess19 member
    Thanks ladies!! I hate not knowing exactly what to expect :)
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