Fetal echocardiogram information for mothers

What is fetal heart echo?

The knowledge of fetal echocardiography reduces stress in parents, especially pregnant mothers. This test allows your doctor to observe the structure and function of the unborn baby's heart. This test is usually performed in the second trimester of pregnancy; Something between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. In this test, sound waves that have the ability to echo in the structures of the fetal heart are used. In the next step, a device will analyze these sound waves and produce an image (or echocardiogram) of the inside of the fetal heart. This image provides the doctor with good information about how the baby's heart is formed and how it functions properly. Fetal echocardiologist and answers to questions Also, with the help of the images produced in the fetal heart echo, the doctor in question can observe the blood circulation in the fetal heart. These deep and detailed images will help the doctor detect any abnormalities in the blood flow or heartbeat of the fetus.

In what cases is fetal heart echo used?

For most women, a simple ultrasound test is enough to check how the four chambers of the fetal heart are formed.

Your doctor may prescribe fetal echocardiography when:

- . The results of your previous tests were not enough - . The heartbeat of the fetus is abnormal

- . There is a history of heart diseases in your family - . You have given birth to a baby with heart problems in the past - . Have used drugs or alcohol during pregnancy - Use certain drugs or be exposed to drugs that cause heart defects. Among these cases, we can mention medicines for acne and epilepsy - Existence of other problems and diseases such as rubella, diabetes, lupus or phenylketonuria

How is fetal heart echo performed?

Unlike other ultrasound tests for pregnant women, your bladder should not be full for this test. This test may take 30 minutes to two hours. This test is performed by a fetal heart echo specialist ### What happens during the test? This test is very similar to the ultrasound of pregnant women. If the echocardiography of the fetus is done from the abdominal area, it is called **abdominal echocardiography** and if it is done from the vaginal area, it is called **vaginal echocardiography**.

Types of echo embryos

### 1- Abdominal echocardiography of the fetal heart Abdominal fetal echocardiography is similar to conventional ultrasound that you are probably familiar with. First, the specialist asks you to lie on a special bed and prepare your stomach. Then a special gel-like substance is applied to your skin. This gel reduces the friction on the skin surface and the pediatric cardiologist can easily move the special ultrasound device. This device has the ability to send and receive sound waves. This gel is also effective in transmitting sound waves. The ultrasound machine first sends high-frequency sound waves into the body. These waves echo after hitting a hard object like the fetal heart. These echoes are then reflected back and displayed on a computer. These sound waves cannot be heard by human ears. The special device is moved in different areas of your abdomen to take pictures of different parts of the baby's heart inside the abdomen. After completing the abdominal echocardiography procedure, the special ultrasound gel is removed from the skin. Then you can leave the treatment center or clinic.

### 2- Vaginal echocardiography of fetal heart Another thing to know about the fetal heart echo is that in the vaginal echo test, you have to remove your pants and cover from the waist down. A special device will be inserted into your vagina. This device uses sound waves to take pictures of the heart of the fetus inside the mother's womb. This type of fetal heart echo is usually used in the early pregnancy of women. Vaginal echocardiography test provides doctors with clearer images of the fetal heart. This type of fetal heart echocardiography is not common in Iran.

What do the test results mean?

Generally, the presence of normal results means that the doctor has not identified any specific heart problem in the fetus. If the attending physician detects a problem. For example, heart defects, abnormal rhythms, or other problems, you may need more tests; Among these tests, we can mention fetal MRI or higher level ultrasound. Also, the attending physician refers the pregnant woman to other specialists to help in the treatment of the fetal problem. You may also need more frequent fetal echocardiograms. If the doctor thinks there are other problems, other types of tests may be done. Do not forget that the attending physician cannot diagnose any problem with the results of the fetal echocardiogram alone. Some cases, such as the presence of a hole in the heart, can only be detected with advanced equipment. The attending physician will tell you what he can diagnose with the help of the test results and what tests you will need for other problems.

Abnormal results of fetal echocardiography test may not be enough and you need more tests to clarify the situation. Sometimes, some possibilities in the field of disease and problems may be ruled out by echocardiography and no further tests are needed. When your doctor can identify certain problems or conditions through the results of fetal echocardiography, it will be easier to manage the pregnancy and prepare for the birth of the baby. Maternal diseases and their effect on the heart of the fetus The results of this test will help you and your doctor plan appropriate treatment procedures to begin after the baby is born, such as corrective surgery. Also, support and consultation with a doctor will help you make better decisions. ### Is this echocardiography risky? In this test, sound waves and ultrasound technology are used and there is no radiation. As a result, there is no particular risk in this field.

Interpretation of fetal heart echo

Normally, normal results mean that your doctor has not found any heart abnormalities. To read more information, refer to the article on fetal echocardiography. If the doctor finds any problems such as heart defects, rhythm abnormalities or other problems, the mother will probably need other tests. In this case, things like fetal MRI or other ultrasounds may be prescribed for the mother. In this case, doctors usually refer patients to other resources or specialists who can solve the problem of the unborn child; Refers In many cases, it may be necessary to repeat the echocardiography of the fetus. Or the person may need additional tests to check for other possibilities. It is important to know that the doctor cannot use the results of fetal echocardiography to diagnose all diseases. Some problems, such as a hole in the heart, are difficult to detect even with advanced equipment. Usually, the doctor explains to the mother what he can or cannot diagnose with this method. For more information, you can use the following sources. https://www.healthline.com/health/fetal-echocardiography https://women.texaschildrens.org/blog/whats-fetal-echocardiogram **Dr. Saeed Bitarafan, specialist in fetal and pediatric cardiology**