Fetal Echocardiography is a medical test similar to an ultrasound examination. We can consider it a specialized ultrasound process. That is designed to detect or identify abnormalities like congenital heart defects in unborn babies. The test is recommended by experienced or highly qualified gynecologists to pregnant women and mostly performed in the second trimester of the pregnancy.

The test gives various kinds of information to the doctors. Including fetus position, heart blood flow, function, and structure of the heart and many more. In the meantime the purpose of the Fetal Echocardiography treatment is to investigate the abnormalities like arrhythmia, and other cardiac abnormalities that could be present in the fetus during pregnancy. This test assists doctors to provide and determine best treatments options to the mother and the unborn baby.

Meanwhile, the test involves high frequency sound waves that echo off the structure of the embryo’s heart. Doctors analyze these sound waves and make an image or echocardiogram of the heart’s interior with the help of a machine and certain devices. The image gives the proper information about the baby’s heart structure and gets the idea of the working of the baby’s heart. The test also supports early diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta treatment which is a birth defect problem.

Reasons To Have Fetal Echocardiography

There are the following reasons to undergo a fetal echocardiogram procedure.

When a doctor found signs of any abnormalities during regular ultrasound checkup then a healthcare provider suggested to undergo the procedure.
If the fetus’s heart does not see or detect properly on the ultrasound monitor screen.
Family history of genetic disorder then a mother needs to go for the process.
When an expecting woman has certain health issues such as genetic concerns, diabetes, autoimmune diseases etc.
If a mother is taking certain medications that can harm the unborn baby.
When the expecting woman has experienced previous childbirth with a heart defect.

Why do we need Fetal Echocardiography Treatment?

Assists Doctors To Find Solutions: This specific test or treatment procedure helps doctors to find better solutions that can be beneficial for the health of the mother and unborn baby. Through conducting this process doctors unhesitatingly determine the most appropriate treatment that is suitable for the expecting women and the baby.
Prepare Parents: The fetal Echocardiography helps parents to prepare and plan the pregnancy. And also supports parents while pregnancy in knowing about the child’s condition while the body is in the mother’s tummy. When the doctor successfully diagnoses the condition, the expecting mother can prepare herself for delivery.
Detect Heart Diseases in Unborn: The test is designed for detecting many health conditions. However, it specifically helps to know about the heart condition of the unborn. And no other test is required after getting a good result from the test. If the doctor won’t be able to get conclusive results in rare cases they often recommend further testing to the parents.

Risks and Side Effects of this Procedure

Medical experts reckon that there are no specific side effects and risks associated with the procedure. It is a safe and advanced test method that gives freedom to parents to know about their upcoming baby. The test is also helpful for healthcare providers to determine best treatments for the mothers.

Trained medical practitioners usually perform Fetal Echocardiography under the consultation of senior doctors. The test successfully provides accurate information and there are less chances of false or negative results. During the procedure the expecting woman only experienced minimal discomfort and there are no major risks involved during the process. Furthermore, it is a non-invasive procedure which does not involve any incisions so, it is the safest test procedure during pregnancy.

Cost of Fetal Echocardiography & Its Advantages

The cost of fetal echocardiogram ranges from 2000 to 8000 INR in India. However, the cost may vary according to the mother’s condition and which type of hospital you have opted for whether it is government or private hospital or clinic. City location, doctors expertise also play an important role in calculating the whole cost. Although, there are various advantages of this test these include:

Early detection of the diseases
Measure different complications
Contribute in mother’s well being
Support healthy Pregnancy
Assists doctors in treatment
Manage pregnancy for delivery

Procedure of Fetal Echocardiography

The procedure is done through following steps which are as follows:

A team of doctors including pediatric cardiologist, maternal-fetal specialist and radiologists first check the history of the patient and then determine the procedure.
No fasting is required before the test which might be required while performing routine ultrasound examination.
The expecting women must lie on an exam table or bed in a fully equipped full room after wearing comfortable clothes.
Once the woman is comfortably lying upon the table then a healthcare provider applies a certain gel to the women’s belly.
After that a radiologists uses a transducer into the belly to send sound waves. Then the transducer device moves around the belly to get images of the baby’s heart from different angles. The mother often asked to take different positions to get exact images.
Once the images are received a healthcare provider or radiologists removes the applied get by using cotton wipes.
After the procedure the mother is asked to wait for certain hours to get results.