IVF Babies - Echo Cardiogram?

Carolina Blue Skies · March 2014

My doctor suggested us get an Echo Cardiogram since we conceived through IVF & IVF babies have a higher chance of heart defects.

Looking into it, a girlfriend of mine went for hers & the specialist said he hadn't yet seen a baby with any heart issues.

I found out it will cost me $800 to have this done. When consulting with my doctor, he said that average babies have a 1% chance of heart defects & IVF babies have a 2-3% (therefore 97% are normal). When he found out how much it would cost us, he said to save the money, not do it & use the money for something else.

Just wanted to reach out to other IVF ladies - did your baby have an Echo Cardiogram? Did your doctor mention it?

Ruthie04 · March 2014

My doctor did not treat my pregnant with any additional care due to IVF (although my OB went to my RE and the rest of the practice were his med school buds). I've heard there is a correlation between ICSI and some congenital issues, but we did conventional IVF. I wouldn't do it unless the anatomy scan picked up something suspicious, but that's me.

Congrats on your pregnancy!

kmc84 · March 2014

We saw a pediatric cardiologist for an echo when I was ~26 weeks. The oy reason we did it is because I have type 1 diabetes, nothing about our IVF made us high risk. I agree with PP, if the anatomy scan is suspicious or inconclusive, then I would go for the echo. If the AS looks good, I wouldn't do it.

Carolina Blue Skies · March 2014

The anatomy scan did not bring up anything suspicious. It's just a tough decision because while I am sure everything will be fine, this is my first decision about my child vs. me, and I want to make sure I do what is best for the baby (who could also use the money towards many, many other things!).

JBDamonM · March 2014

I had the fetal echo cardiogam only because I was an IVF pregnancy. I didn't mind though because it didn't cost me and it actually wound up being my favorite appointment the entire pregnancy

I had a very healthy pregnancy and the echo cardiogam did not reveal anything. The tech also reiterated that chance of a defect bc of IVF was very very low. For what it's worth - I think you are ok to take a pass.

pb_bride · March 2014

What @Ruthie04 and @mg0202 said. I was treated like any other pg patient, no special tests or anything. I think our anatomy scan showed a little shadow but that is a common finding in Asians so no one was concerned about it (the shadow was more a concern for Down syndrome, and I tested negative with MaterniT21).

CarrieB. · March 2014

Both of my girls are IVF w ICSI and no one suggested I get an echo. I did do my anatomy scan with a MFM for both pregnancies and w DD2 he did spend extra time looking at her heart and she actually did have a slight murmur at birth, but it resolved on its own in a week after birth. My pediatrician said this was very normal and didn't day anything about it being related to IVF.

PrettyAccountant · March 2014

kmc84 said:
We saw a pediatric cardiologist for an echo when I was ~26 weeks. The oy reason we did it is because I have type 1 diabetes, nothing about our IVF made us high risk. I agree with PP, if the anatomy scan is suspicious or inconclusive, then I would go for the echo. If the AS looks good, I wouldn't do it.

This was my situation as well I went because of pre-existing diabetes.

Ironmom2be · March 2014

We had one after our 20w ultrasound b/c we had a 2 vessel cord. Was the longest, scariest u/s we ever had (I was convinced something was wrong) and they did it at Children's Hospital. But in the end everything was perfect. It had NOTHING to do IVF. Complete coincidence.

Jenny935 · March 2014

At our 20 week scan they said they didn't see anything suspicious but they suggested the Echo due to the ICSI. If my insurance hadn't covered it, we probably wouldn't have worried since the 20 week scan came out fine. (All wound up being fine.)

ccam · March 2014

We did IVF and nothing was mentioned about an echo. Like the PPs said, once I was released to the OB, I was treated like a regular pregnant woman.

ETA: That being said, DS does have a slight heart murmur but nothing that we've had to do anything about.

Dragonfly1226 · March 2014

None of my kids had to have it.

dmhrn13 · March 2014

Yes, the MFM's I work with & that took care of me look for specific things during anatomy scans because I was IVF. I also had an ECHO & doppler studies.

chicagobride_07 · March 2014

No one mentioned this during pregnancy. She has had several echos since birth due to being a preemie however. At her last one at 3 months we were given the all clear and told no further follow up with a cardiologist was needed.

kbeach82 · March 2014

No one mentioned an echo during my pregnancy with our singleton, but we did have them done with our twins. It really depends on the doctor. The anatomy scan review with our twins was with a different doctor and she recommended it. We are fortunate that our insurance covered most of the procedure. We just had to pay a $250 co-pay since the procedure was performed on an outpatient basis at a hospital.

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