13 - 22 weeks of Pregnancy

What is a Fetal Heart Scan?

Why should I need a Fetal Heart Scan?

Is there any other reason why I might be referred for a Fetal Heart Scan?

Who will perform my Fetal Heart Scan?

What happens during a Fetal Heart Scan?

How many Fetal Heart Scans may I need?

When will I receive the results of my Fetal Heart Scan?

What happens if an abnormality is discovered during my Fetal Heart Scan?

Anything else I should know about Fetal Heart Scans?

How do I book a Fetal Heart Scan?

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What is a Fetal Heart Scan?
A Fetal Heart Scan is an ultrasound examination of the heart of your baby usually performed by a Consultant Fetal Medicine Specialist and sometimes by Fetal Cardiologist (also known as an Echocardiologist.)

Sometimes this type of scan is called an Echocardiograph.

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• An irregularity in your baby’s heart has been noted
• You have a family history of congenital heart problems
• A previous child was been born with heart disease
• You (the mother to be) have diabetes

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Is there any other reason why I might be referred for a Fetal Heart Scan?
You may have be referred for a Fetal Heart Scan if during your Nuchal Scan your baby's nuchal measurement measured larger than 3.5mm.

This is a routine protocol and should not be cause for concern.

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Who will perform my Fetal Heart Scan?
A Fetal Heart Scan is always performed by a consultant, usually by a Fetal Medicine Specialist who is an expert in pre-natal fetal cardiac diagnosis such as Dr Kyle and Dr Wimalasundera.

For more complex cases, especially where an anomaly has already been diagnosed by a consultant, your Fetal Heart Scan will be performed by Dr John Simpson, a Fetal Cardiologist.

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• Consult with you on your case histroy
• Review your previous scan reports
• Perform a detailed scan of your baby's heart

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How many Fetal Heart Scans may I need?
The number of Fetal Heart Scans required will vary depending on individual cases, however Fetal Heart Scans that are performed early in your pregnancy to exclude major heart deformaties may have to be repeated later in the pregnancy when the fetal heart is more developed.

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When will I receive the results of my Fetal Heart Scan?
If your Fetal Heart Scan was performed by a Fetal Medicine Specialist you will receive your medical report at the end of our appointment.

If your Fetal Heart Scan was performed by a Fetal Cardiologist you will receive a letter from the consultant within 48hours of your appointment.

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What happens if an abnormality is discovered during my Fetal Heart Scan?
If a your baby is diagnosed with a fetal-cardio abnormality your medical scan report will be forwarded on to your midwife or consultant.

If you do not have a consultant you may be offered additional care with our Fetal Cardiologist Dr John Simpson at the Fetal and Paediatric Congenital Heart Disease Unit at Guy’s and St Thomas Hospital.

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Anything else I should know about Fetal Heart Scans?
At The London Ultrasound Centre we check your baby's heart in every scan that we do.

We do this so that any concerns with your baby's heart can be diagnosed as early as possible and you are able to receive the very best in early fetal-cardio care.

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How do I book a Fetal Heart Scan?
For bookings information and cost please see our Prices page.

Please be prepared to be flexible with your choice of appointment date as our Fetal Medicine Specialists and Fetal Cardiologist are not available on every day.

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