Fetal Echocardiography

About Fetal Echocardiography

Board-certified cardiologists at Magee-Womens Imaging work closely with doctors at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC to provide fetal echocardiography services.

Using state-of-the-art imaging technology, we scan the hearts of:

• Fetuses, in utero, for heart defects
• Pregnant mothers, for heart disease

Preparation for Fetal Echocardiography

Expectant mothers should be referred for a fetal echocardiography exam between 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy if they have experienced or been diagnosed with:

• Exposure to drugs and diseases during pregnancy
• Family history of congenital heart disease (CHD)
• Increased risk of Down syndrome
• Chromosome abnormalities and CHD

What to Expect During Fetal Echocardiography

Similar to a standard ultrasound procedure, a technologist specializing in abdominal ultrasound applies a gel to the mother’s abdomen and a slides a transducer across, producing images of the baby’s or mother's heart.

Fetal echocardiography can help doctors understand the whole picture of a fetus that might have a chromosome problem or an isolated heart defect.

Learn more about fetal echocardiography services at Children’s Hospital.