About Fetal Echocardiography
Key Highlights
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Non-invasive and painless procedure with no radiation exposure.Allows for early detection of complex congenital heart defects (CHDs) before birth.Enables detailed planning for delivery and immediate postnatal care at a specialized center if needed.Provides reassurance to parents when results are normal.Performed by a specialist (pediatric cardiologist) for expert interpretation.Uses advanced ultrasound technology for high-resolution images of the fetal heart./ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Abnormal routine pregnancy ultrasound suggesting a possible heart issue.
- Family history of congenital heart disease in a parent or sibling.
- Maternal conditions like diabetes (pre-gestational), lupus, or phenylketonuria (PKU).
- Exposure to certain medications or infections (e.g., rubella) during pregnancy.
- Increased nuchal translucency or other fetal anomalies detected on screening.
- Suspected chromosomal abnormalities (e.g., Down syndrome).
- Multiple gestation pregnancy (twins, triplets).
- Maternal age over 35 years.
How to prepare
- Typically, no special dietary or physical preparation is required.
- Wear comfortable, two-piece clothing to allow easy access to the abdomen.
- A full bladder is generally not needed for this specialized scan.
- It is helpful to have prior ultrasound reports available.
- Be prepared to discuss family and maternal medical history with the cardiologist.
Risks & possible complications
- Fetal echocardiography is considered extremely safe with no known risks to the mother or fetus.
- There is a small chance of a false positive or false negative result, which may lead to anxiety or require additional testing.
- Discovering a serious heart defect can cause significant emotional distress for the parents.
- In very rare cases, the transducer pressure on the abdomen might cause minor maternal discomfort.
Recovery & hospital stay
- There is no recovery period or downtime; normal activities can be resumed immediately.
- The cardiologist or a counselor will discuss the findings with you after the scan.
- If a heart defect is found, a detailed care plan involving pediatric cardiologists and neonatologists will be created.
- Follow-up scans may be recommended to monitor the heart's development later in the pregnancy.
- Emotional support and counseling are available if the diagnosis is concerning.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (outpatient procedure)
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Expected recovery time: 0 days (immediate)
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering fetal echocardiography in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for fetal echocardiography in India include Miot Hospital Chennai, Kamineni Hospital LB Nagar, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Kamineni Hospital, Tadigadapa, Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform fetal echocardiography. MediFyr helps you compare cardiologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for fetal echocardiography compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Fetal Echocardiography in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated cardiology teams and experience managing patients undergoing fetal echocardiography.
Arjun Roy, a 28-year-old graduate student,...
Arjun Roy, a 28-year-old graduate student, and his wife Priya were expecting their first child. At their 20-week scan, the doctor discovered an abnormal amount of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) and noted that the baby's stomach was not clearly visible. The obstetrician, concerned these could be soft markers for a fetal issue, particularly one involving the esophagus or heart, recommended a fetal echocardiogram to rule out any cardiac abnormalities that can accompany such findings. Arjun, a planner by nature, felt his world tilt into uncertainty. During the echocardiogram, he held Priya's hand tightly as the specialist moved the transducer over her abdomen. The atmosphere was tense but the doctor was calm and thorough. The scan revealed a perfectly formed, strong fetal heart with no defects. The relief was physical and immediate. The polyhydramnios was monitored and later attributed to a separate, non-cardiac cause. Arjun's emotional path went from fear of the unknown and potential lifelong challenges for his child, to empowered relief. The clear results allowed them to redirect their anxiety and focus on managing the actual issue, strengthening their partnership as they prepared for parenthood.
Cardiologists for Fetal Echocardiography
Explore experienced cardiologists who regularly perform fetal echocardiography and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 8 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 10 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 9 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Miot Hospital Chennai, Chennai
- 29 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 24 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 7 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Yeshwanthpur, Bangalore
- 12 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Sarjapur Road, Bangalore
- 21 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Whitefield, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 22 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 18 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 33 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 55 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 25 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 35 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Cardiologist
Manipal Hospital Patiala, Patiala