What is Fetal Echocardiogram?

Fetal echocardiography is a diagnostic ultrasound of an unborn baby’s heart, helping evaluate the function and structure of the fetal heart. It is a non-invasive, painless and safe procedure that uses sound waves to capture detailed moving images of the centre of the foetus. No radiation is used during the test and is, therefore, completely safe for both the foetus and the mother.

Why You May Need to Take a Fetal Echo in Gurgaon?

The key purpose of a fetal 2D echo test is to diagnose potential structural anomalies of the unborn baby’s heart. It is also used to evaluate the functioning, rhythm and rate of the fetal heart. Typically, the test is recommended under the following circumstances:

• If the mother, father or other family members of the unborn baby have a congenital heart disease
• Abnormal heart rhythm or rate of the foetus
• If you have a medical history of any viral infection or diabetes
• If you take any medications other than calcium or iron tablets. These include prescription drugs for acne or epilepsy
• If the obstetrician suspects any abnormality in the functioning of the foetus’ heart
• If you have earlier given birth to a baby with a heart condition
• If you already have other health conditions like type 1 diabetes, rubella, phenylketonuria or lupus
• If you have been consuming alcohol or drugs during pregnancy

Book an appointment for a fetal echo test near me and get attractive discounts.

When Should I Get a Fetal Echo Test Done?

At Anand Imaging Centre, the test is performed only on a doctor’s prescription to ensure the safety of the unborn baby as well as the mother. The procedure is ideally recommended at 16-20 weeks of gestation, giving the time to decide whether or not to terminate the pregnancy. Termination of pregnancy is legal in India until 20 weeks.

How is a Fetal Echocardiogram Performed?

At Anand Imaging Centre, we perform an abdominal ultrasound to evaluate the fetal heart. Just like a normal ultrasound procedure, you will need to lie down on a bed with your abdomen uncovered. Our experienced radiologist will then apply a clear, non-greasy gel to your belly, gently placing an ultrasound probe on the abdomen to capture pictures of the baby’s heart.

The procedure is non-invasive and painless and does not cause any harm to the baby or the mother. Depending on the unborn baby’s heart condition, the test may take around 20-60 minutes to complete. However, the fetal heart in its mother’s womb is small and covered by the rib cage. Therefore, in rare cases, echocardiography may not provide clear images. In such situations, you may need to take the test multiple times.

Be assured, that a fetal echo test does not involve radiation exposure and is, therefore, safe for the unborn baby.

What to Expect After the Test?

Once the test is done, you can expect the results within 48 hours. If the test results are normal, it means there are no cardiac abnormalities. However, if the doctor diagnoses a problem, such as heart rhythm abnormality, defects or other issues, then you may need further investigations such as a high-level ultrasound or a fetal MRI scan.

Looking for a trusted diagnostic centre for fetal echo test near me? Schedule an appointment today and get special discounts on fetal echo test price.