Fetal Echo Update

ahjahbaba · February 2014

Has anyone had a fetal echo done on their LO before. I have Type 1 diabetes and a heart defect myself so I know they're just checking on baby's heart because of some increased risks but I've been so nervous about what to expect? I have 6 more days until my fetal echo and a/s.

Is it just the normal outside the womb u/s and/or the dildo cam? What was your experience, positive or negative?

rattlecanqueen · February 2014

No experience, just hugs and prayers that baby is fine!

BBColt78 · February 2014

I had a fetal echo done with DD and I'll have one with this baby in less than two weeks.

For the fetal it should really be an abdominal ultrasound. They will zoom in close on the heart and take a good look at it. I can't remember what it's called but they will turn the ultrasound to specific colors so they can see the direction of blood flow and everything else. I also had the dildo cam, but that was to check my cervix.

I have the echo done because of the IVF pregnancy.

HTH

Heather100612 · February 2014

No experience with having one, but my OB told me I'll have one since I have a heart condition and they will want to check the baby since it runs in my family. I know how a normal adult echo goes, but not a fetal one

pantherRN · February 2014

No advice, I just wanted to wish you all luck!

splaster79 · February 2014

We have one schedule for March 11th. Hope all goes well with yours. Keep us posted

alyss0nl · February 2014

Haven't had a fetal echo, but DS had one in June for his heart murmur. Thinking of you and hope all goes smooth.

Mamaduncan · February 2014

Hoping all goes well!

Big+Lil · February 2014

I did, it was an abdominal us focused on the heart. My daughter had 3 echogenic foci on her heart at the anatomy scan, but all is well!

rboisvert · February 2014

We did with DD and I have one scheduled for this LO in two weeks due to my CHD. It's an abdominal scan and it takes about an hour. They do a lot of measurements and they are looking at an organ that's tiny so that's why it takes so long. I was uncomfortable only from laying on my back that long. Hope it all goes well and LO is heart healthy.

ksuRN09 · February 2014

Best of luck everyone! I hope your LOs are all ok! Thoughts and prayers!

chelsey33 · February 2014

I had one with my first pregnancy when we couldn't keep my fluid levels up and I believe we did one at the 20 wk a/s but I haven't made it there yet with this LO. Sending lots of thoughts and prayers to all you Moms and LOs

lynnyrd80 · February 2014

I'm having ultrasounds every four weeks because I'm having twins. At my 17 week ultrasound, which ended up being my A/S, I asked what the other ultrasounds would be checking. They told me that my next one at 21 weeks would be a fetal echo.

ahjahbaba · February 2014

*Update*

We had our anatomy scan and fetal echo yesterday. We're having a boy and we're very excited. The Echo gave us mixed results. Baby was being difficult but the pediatric cardiologist who read the echo told us it appeared as though our little boy has a thickened Aortic valve causing mild blood flow turbulance. While, if I had to pick a heart defect more then likely this would be the one. It tends to be pretty benign and usually only requires observation but could require a balloon to open the thickened valve. It was a roller coaster day going from wonderful news that we're having a boy to 30 minutes later being told our child likely has a heart defect. They want to do a repeat fetal echo in a month. It's possible this could "wash out and no longer be an issue", as the Dr. put it but I'm trying to prepare for this to be a reality... I think the hardest thing is not the defect but realizing my baby isn't that "perfect" baby we all hope for going into pregnancy and anatomy scans.

Sorry this is so long, I'm still trying to process and writing it all out kind of helps. Hope everyone else's A/S go off without a hitch

nola 1017 · February 2014

Congrats on your little boy. I'm sorry about the heart defect, but I'm glad that it appears to be mild. ((BIG HUGS))

splaster79 · February 2014

Congrats on your lil man and hoping your lil ones heart defect clears up.

Ylvelill · February 2014

Your baby is still perfect in his own way

ahjahbaba · February 2014

Ylvelill said:
Your baby is still perfect in his own way

Thank you! That really made me feel good and you're right. I took a screen shot so if I ever get down I can remind myself of his own unique perfectness. ; )