Why is a fetal echocardiogram necessary?

Fetal echocardiography can help detect fetal heart abnormalities before birth, allowing for faster medical or surgical intervention once the baby is born. This improves the chance of survival after delivery for babies with serious heart defects.

Who needs a fetal echocardiogram?

An obstetrician will recommend a fetal echocardiogram when he or she suspects a fetus may have a congenital heart defect, or because he or she detected an abnormal heart rate in a standard obstetric ultrasound. Congenital heart defects occur in about one out of every 100 births, Sanchez said.

What is being examined in a fetal echocardiography?

Fetal echocardiography (echo) uses sound waves to check the heart of your developing baby. Fetal echo can help find heart defects before birth. If a heart problem can be found early, the more likely treatment will work.

Is a fetal echocardiogram safe?

A fetal echocardiogram is a very safe, non-invasive test that uses ultrasound technology to zoom in on the baby’s heart through the mom’s belly and the chest of the fetus. It is performed on an outpatient basis and takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour.

When is fetal echocardiography done?

Fetal echocardiography is a test that is done while the baby is still in the womb. It is most often done during the second trimester of pregnancy. This is when a woman is about 18 to 24 weeks pregnant. The procedure is similar to that of a pregnancy ultrasound.

When is the best time to do a fetal echocardiogram?

Most often, we will perform a fetal echocardiogram at 22-24 weeks gestation (5 ½ to 6 months), but is sometimes indicated at other times during gestation. This specialized diagnostic procedure is an extension of the basic fetal cardiac screening traditionally performed at the 18-20 week “anatomy survey.”

How much is a fetal echo?

On MDsave, the cost of an OB Fetus ECHO is $557.00. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.

What is normal fetal heart rate?

The average fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. It can vary by 5 to 25 beats per minute. The fetal heart rate may change as your baby responds to conditions in your uterus. An abnormal fetal heart rate may mean that your baby is not getting enough oxygen or that there are other problems.

What is the price of echo test?

The cost of the echo test varies from ₹1,800 to ₹1,980 depending upon the lab and the location.

Is a fetal heart rate of 130 normal?

A normal fetal heart rate (FHR) usually ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute (bpm) in the in utero period. It is measurable sonographically from around 6 weeks and the normal range varies during gestation, increasing to around 170 bpm at 10 weeks and decreasing from then to around 130 bpm at term.

Is 155 a good fetal heartbeat?

Normal ranges for FHR are 120 to 160 bpm. Many international guidelines define ranges of 110 to 160 bpm which seem to be safe in daily practice.

When do you need fetal echocardiography?

a family history of certain heart problems

What to expect fetal echocardiogram?

Fetal echocardiography is an ultrasound test done during pregnancy to evaluate the heart of the unborn baby. Echocardiography assesses the heart’s structures and function. A small probe called a transducer (similar to a microphone) is placed on the mother’s abdomen and sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard.

What to expect during an echocardiogram?

An echocardiogram sends high-frequency sound waves into the chest to rebound from the heart’s walls and valves. The recorded waves form a moving 2-dimensional image of the heart on a television screen. These pictures show the shape and movement of the valves, as well as the size and functioning of the heart chambers.

What is a fetal echocardiogram?

A fetal echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound that provides a detailed view of your baby’s heart. Also known as a fetal echo, this test is used to examine the structure and function of your baby’s heart before he or she is born. Fetal echocardiograms help us identify and diagnose congenital heart defects before birth.