FETAL ECHOCARDIOGRAM

Fetal echocardiogram, or fetal echo, is an ultrasound that takes pictures of a baby’s heart while the baby is in the mother’s womb. An ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images, so there is no radiation exposure. The optimal time to perform a fetal echo is between 20 and 22 weeks into a pregnancy. (not all conditions can be diagnosed in utero and ultrasound is limited by fetal position, maternal size and other factors not under our control)

Early detection of congenital heart defects—conditions that are present at birth—allows for more careful planning of future care. That is why Florida Perinatal Center is proud to be at the leading edge of prenatal diagnosis. With a fetal echocardiogram, we can detect potential problems in utero. As a result, you have the opportunity to get early treatments best designed to produce successful outcomes.