What is fetal echocardiography?
A routine anomaly scan checks the baby's heart with a basic four-chamber view. Fetal echocardiography goes much further — it is a dedicated, detailed examination of the fetal heart, assessing all four chambers, the heart valves, the great arteries and veins, the heart's rhythm, and how blood flows through it using colour Doppler.
Why is fetal echocardiography done?
- A possible heart abnormality was noticed on the routine anomaly scan
- There is a family history of congenital heart disease
- The pregnancy is affected by maternal diabetes, which raises the risk of fetal heart conditions
- Other risk factors are present, such as an abnormal NT scan or certain chromosomal screening results
Congenital heart defects are the most common category of major structural differences found before birth, ranging from minor findings that often resolve on their own to more complex conditions that benefit from early planning.
When is it done?
Fetal echocardiography is usually performed between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetal heart is large enough to assess in detail.
What happens during the scan
The scan is performed just like a regular ultrasound, with gel and a probe moved over the abdomen. Dr. Chandak focuses specifically on the heart, using colour Doppler to visualise blood flow through each chamber and vessel. It typically takes longer than a routine scan, around 30 to 45 minutes, to allow a thorough assessment.
What happens after
There is no downtime. If a finding needs further discussion, Dr. Chandak will explain what it means and what, if anything, needs to happen next — including planning delivery at a centre with paediatric cardiology support, if that is ever needed.
Is fetal echocardiography safe?
Yes. Like all ultrasound scans, it uses sound waves rather than radiation and carries no known risk to you or your baby.
Frequently asked questions
The anomaly scan includes a basic four-chamber view of the heart as part of a broader structural survey. Fetal echocardiography is a focused, in-depth examination of the heart alone, looking at each chamber, valve, and vessel in detail.
It's recommended when a possible concern is seen on a routine scan, when there's a family history of heart conditions, or when the pregnancy has risk factors like maternal diabetes.
Many congenital heart conditions can be managed or corrected after birth, and some minor findings resolve on their own. Finding out before birth allows the right specialists to be ready from delivery, which can make a real difference.