Echocardiogram In Pregnancy | What The Heart Scan Can Reveal

What Is An Echocardiogram In Pregnancy?

This test is an ultrasound scan that shows moving pictures of the heart. It can check the pregnant person’s heart, the baby’s heart, or both, depending on the reason for the scan.

The test uses sound waves, not radiation. A small probe rests on the chest or the abdomen with gel, and a computer turns the echoes into real time images of valves, chambers, and blood flow. The experience feels similar to a standard pregnancy ultrasound.

Doctors request this test when they want a clear view of how the heart is working during pregnancy. The aim is to spot heart problems early, understand how severe they are, and plan pregnancy and birth care that keeps both you and your baby as safe as possible.

Common Reasons For Heart Scans During Pregnancy

Some people already live with heart disease before pregnancy. Others notice new symptoms once pregnancy raises the workload on the heart. Babies can also have heart defects that are easier to pick up before birth. All of these situations can lead to a referral for a maternal or fetal echo.

Reason For Referral	Who Is Scanned	What The Team Checks
Known congenital or acquired heart disease in the pregnant person	Mother	Pumping strength, valve function, pressure in the lungs, and any change from past scans
New chest discomfort, shortness of breath, palpitations, or fainting	Mother	Structure of the heart, rhythm related changes, presence of fluid, and likely cause of symptoms
Family history of congenital heart disease in a first degree relative	Baby	Overall heart structure, chamber sizes, main blood vessels, and heart rhythm
Abnormal finding on routine mid pregnancy anatomy scan	Baby	Detailed view of any suspected defect, blood flow patterns, and need for birth planning in a cardiac center
Maternal conditions such as diabetes or certain autoimmune diseases	Baby and sometimes mother	Signs of fetal heart block, thickened heart muscle, or cardiomyopathy
Use of specific medicines linked with higher heart defect risk	Baby	Valve structure, outflow tracts, and major arteries
Multiple pregnancy with twin to twin transfusion or growth concerns	Baby	Heart function in each twin and strain from extra blood flow

When Doctors Recommend An Echocardiogram During Pregnancy

Doctors do not send every pregnant person for an echo. Instead they weigh personal and family history, current symptoms, examination findings, and results from tests such as an electrocardiogram or standard ultrasound.

You may be offered a maternal echocardiogram if you have congenital heart disease, valve disease, cardiomyopathy, previous heart surgery, or high blood pressure that affects the heart. New breathlessness at rest, chest discomfort, swelling, or rapid irregular heartbeat also prompt this test.

A fetal echocardiogram is usually booked between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, though some centers can scan earlier for high risk cases. Many referrals follow an abnormal screening scan, a strong family history of heart defects, or maternal conditions such as type 1 diabetes or lupus.

Large organizations such as the American Heart Association fetal echocardiogram test page describe this test as a detailed view of the baby’s heart that uses ultrasound and does not harm the fetus.

Fetal Echocardiogram During Pregnancy: What The Scan Shows

A fetal echo focuses on the structure and function of your baby’s heart before birth. The specialist sonographer or fetal cardiologist studies the position of the heart in the chest, the four chambers, the valves, and the great arteries that leave the heart.

Doppler settings show blood flow direction and speed. Colour patterns on the screen reveal leakage through valves, narrowing in vessels, or abnormal connections between chambers. Even when a defect is present, the baby may feel well in the womb, which is why this careful scan matters.

The scan also checks heart rhythm. Some babies develop extra beats or longer pauses. Many rhythm patterns stay harmless, though a small number need extra monitoring or treatment during pregnancy or soon after birth.

Finding a heart problem during pregnancy gives the cardiac and obstetric team time to plan birth in a hospital with neonatal heart specialists on site. In some cases they can arrange medicine soon after delivery or surgery in the first weeks of life.

Maternal Echocardiogram During Pregnancy

A maternal echo shows how your heart handles the extra blood volume and faster rate in pregnancy. If you already have heart disease or new symptoms appear, the scan shows whether the heart keeps up with this extra work.

The scan can show thickening of the heart muscle, weakness of the pumping chamber, narrowing or leakage of valves, raised pressure in the lungs, or fluid around the heart. These details shape safe choices about medicine, level of activity, and timing and mode of birth.

Expert groups such as Mayo Clinic echocardiogram guidance describe when this test is helpful during pregnancy when symptoms or known disease call for a clear view of the heart.

What Happens During The Test

On the day of the scan you arrive at an echo or fetal medicine unit. Staff members may ask you to change into a gown or lift your top so the probe can rest on the chest or abdomen. Gel goes on the skin so sound waves travel well.

For a maternal scan you lie on your left side or slightly propped up. For a fetal scan you lie on your back, sometimes with a small tilt to keep blood flow steady. The room is dim so the team can see the screen clearly, and many people find the setting calm and quiet.

The person scanning moves the probe to different spots and may press gently between the ribs or on the abdomen. The visit usually lasts between 30 minutes and one hour.

Gel wipes off with tissue at the end. You can eat, drink, and move around as usual straight after the test.

Is A Heart Ultrasound Safe During Pregnancy?

Echocardiography uses ultrasound waves, not X rays. The energy level stays within limits that have been studied for many years. Based on large experience, expert bodies in cardiology and obstetrics regard both maternal and fetal echo as safe when used for clear medical reasons.

You will not feel the sound waves. The main discomfort comes from the pressure of the probe or the time spent lying still. Mild soreness on the chest wall or abdomen can appear after a long scan, yet this settles quickly once the test ends.

There is no known risk of miscarriage or birth defects from standard echocardiography. The team always keeps scan time as short as possible while still collecting the information they need.

How Results Are Shared

Sometimes the doctor explains the results right away. In other clinics the images go to a cardiologist who reviews them and sends a report to your obstetrician or midwife.

If the scan shows a normal heart, this brings strong reassurance. When a heart problem appears, the team will explain the type of problem, how serious it looks, and what it might mean for labor, birth, and care after delivery.

They may also suggest follow up scans to track changes, meetings with a pediatric cardiologist, or planning visits to a cardiac center where your baby could receive early treatment.

Questions To Ask Before And After The Scan

Information can make the process less stressful. Bring a list to each appointment so nothing gets lost.

Topic	Example Question	Why It Helps
Reason for the test	What made you recommend this echocardiogram now?	Links the scan to your history, symptoms, or baby’s ultrasound
Type of scan	Will this scan check my heart, the baby’s heart, or both?	Clarifies what to expect on the day
Preparation	Do I need to arrive with a full bladder or change any medicines?	Helps you plan the visit and travel time
Findings	Can you talk me through what you see on the screen?	Turns complex images into clear language
Impact on pregnancy care	How will these results shape plans for labor and birth?	Shows whether birth needs to happen in a specialist center
After birth	Will my baby need heart checks or treatment soon after delivery?	Outlines likely steps in the newborn period
Later health	What does this mean for later pregnancies or long term heart health?	Gives context beyond the current pregnancy

Practical Tips For Your Echocardiogram Appointment

Bring a copy of your medicine list and any past heart records. This lets the team compare present images with older scans.

Wear loose clothing so the chest and upper abdomen can be reached easily. Bring a snack and water in case the visit runs long. If you feel anxious in medical settings, tell the staff so they can explain each step.

Many people like to bring a partner, friend, or family member for company and a second set of ears. Check clinic rules first, because some units limit visitors in scan rooms.

Living With Heart Concerns During Pregnancy

An echocardiogram in pregnancy can feel daunting, yet it also gives a sense of control. Clear pictures of the heart allow your team to tailor care, arrange extra monitoring when needed, and time birth in a way that protects both mother and baby.

If a problem appears, ask for information leaflets and contact numbers so you know who to call if symptoms change. Ask whether you should avoid heavy lifting, long trips, or certain medicines. Clear, shared plans help many families feel more settled as pregnancy progresses.