This may be medicine or procedures to treat fetal heart problems.ДЇetal wellness assessments.В To check overall fetal health,В you may be asked to count fetal movements. He or she may order more tests or procedures. Your healthcare provider will look at the results. The healthcare provider puts a small echocardiogram probe into the vagina instead of putting it on the belly. Sometimes an endo-vaginal echocardiogram is done early in pregnancy to monitor the developing fetus' heartbeat. Once the exam is complete, the gel is wiped off. You may feel pressure as the transducer moves over your belly. He or she will move the transducer around to get the best images of the fetal heart. The provider will use an electronic device called a transducer that sends out sound waves. You wonвЂ™t likely need to change your clothes. What happens during fetal echo?ДЄ specially trained pediatric cardiologist, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, obstetrician, or radiologist does fetal echo. Plan for 30 minutes to 2 hours for the test. You don't need to do anything to get ready for fetal echo. The lowest possible ultrasound settings are used. What are the risks of fetal echo?ДЇetal echo does not have any risks for either the fetus or mother. If you have risk factors such as a family history of heart problems, fetal echoes are often done in the second trimester of pregnancy. Your baby was noted to have too fast, slow, or irregular heart beats on exam You conceived by assisted reproductive technology You had abnormal test results from other tests These include German measles (rubella) or cytomegalovirus. You have had certain infections during your pregnancy. You have certain health problems such as diabetes, lupus,В orВ phenylketonuria You have abused alcohol or drugs during your pregnancy

They also include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) and blood pressure medicines (ACE-inhibitors). These include certain medicines for seizures, depression, and acne. You are taking certain medicines that may cause congenital heart defects. Healthcare providers recommend fetal echo in these cases:ДЄnother child wasВ born with aВ heart defect Once the baby is born, treatment may be done. Healthcare providers can get ready for problems that may happen during labor and delivery. Healthcare providers may be able to treat the problem before birth, in some cases. Fetal Echocardiography What is fetal echocardiography?ДЇetal echocardiography (echo)В uses sound waves toВ check the heart of your developing baby.ДЇetal echo can help find heart defects before birth.В If a heart problem can be found early, the more likely treatment will work.

Cardiograph dedinition