Fetal Echocardiogram

Throughout your pregnancy, you undergo many tests to monitor and assess your health and your baby’s health. If there are concerns about your baby’s heart, you may need a fetal echocardiogram. Board-certified maternal fetal specialist, Pushpinder Dhillon, MD, MS, FACOG, and the team at Maternal Fetal Specialists in Fredericksburg, Reston and Springfield, Virginia, specialize in advanced fetal testing, including fetal echocardiogram. To schedule your exam, call the office closest to you to book an appointment today.

What is a fetal echocardiogram?

A fetal echocardiogram is a noninvasive ultrasound test that’s performed during pregnancy to evaluate the structure and function of your baby’s heart. 

Unlike traditional prenatal ultrasounds, your fetal echocardiogram is performed by a special ultrasound technician, and the results are interpreted by a physician who specializes in fetal cardiac conditions. 

When do I need a fetal echocardiogram?

You may need a fetal echocardiogram if there are concerns about congenital heart defects, which are heart conditions that form during fetal development in the womb. Congenital heart defects affect about 1% of babies born in the United States. 

Though the exact cause of a congenital heart problem isn’t always known, your baby may be at risk of developing an abnormality if:

• It runs in your family
• There’s a personal history of diabetes
• Your baby was conceived via in vitro fertilization
• The mother’s age is advanced
• There’s a history of medication or drug use

How do I prepare for a fetal echocardiogram?

In most cases, there’s no need for any special preparation. However, your provider at Maternal Fetal Specialists will review what you can expect during the fetal echocardiogram prior to the test. Most fetal echocardiograms take 30 minutes to 2 hours. 

What happens during a fetal echocardiogram?

The specifics of your fetal echocardiogram may depend on the type of procedure used to assess the structure and function of your baby’s heart. 

What can I expect after a fetal echocardiogram?

After your fetal echocardiogram, you can expect the team at Maternal Fetal Specialists to review the results with you.

Maternal Fetal Specialists has nationally renowned pediatric cardiologists to assist the patient and manage the cardiac care for your baby.

If the results of your fetal echocardiogram show an abnormality in the baby’s heart, the team at Maternal Fetal Specialists develops your pregnancy treatment plan to ensure you and your baby get the best care possible throughout the entire pregnancy.