I am scheduled to have an echocardiogram done for my unborn son. I'm 21 weeks and it's scheduled for 26 weeks. They said they need to do an extensive ultrasound to make sure his heart is healthy and the valves are working and the right size. My mom brought up a good point...what are they going to do even if they find something abnormal with the heart? Give him surgery in the womb? Do all women have to have an EKG done on their unborn children? it's scary. They said his heart looks perfect, but they want this done anyways...
2007-02-26 04:40:16 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Does your family have a history of heart conditions? I have a congenital heart condition that i was born with. I am now 31 weeks pregnant with #2, and for both of my pregnancies they did a fetal echo to make sure my condition is not passed on (Thankfully, neither echo showed any problems). If there is a heart condition, some conditions can be corrected in the womb so the baby will be healthy when it is born. And if it can't be corrected in the womb, the doctors would have the information ready in order to help the baby as soon as possible after birth.
2007-02-26 05:23:37 · answer #1 · answered by Erika 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only time I have heard of an ekg being done on an unborn child is when either they see something wrong with the heart on sonogram or if the child has a condition such as Down Syndrome or some other anomoly. I have had 4 children and never had an ekg done..you should really speak to your Dr. to find out whats going on...Always ask questions as to why they are doing certain tests..You have the right to know...Maybe this is something routine that your Dr. does for everyone, but you need to ask what is going on.....And yes sometimes they do surgery on the unborn child and sometimes they wait for the child to be born depending on what kind of defect it is....Good Luck!
2007-02-26 04:49:08 · answer #2 · answered by Lisa ♥'s Tim 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you taking Paxil or any other medications? Meds that have been known to occasionally cause problems with a fetus' heart can be a reason why they would want you to have this test done.
This is not a normal test, meaning that they are either a) trying to make sure that a certain medication that you're taking isn't going to hurt your baby, or b) they're trying to milk your insurance company.
I can tell you, though, that an EKG is not standard practice. Everything may look perfect on the ultrasound, but if there's not a GOOD reason why they are doing the EKG, there's NO reason why they should do it.
What are you going to do at 26 weeks, anyways? They shouldn't have scared you like this.
2007-02-26 04:48:24 · answer #3 · answered by <3 The Pest <3 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fetal ekg uses sensors placed on the mother's abdomen with an adhesive, so it could be used at any time during labor or pregnancy. It could be used even earlier for mothers with medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, which can place their babies at greater risk for complications. It may detect abnormal fetal heart rhythms, distinguish false labor from early labor and track the mother's heart rate and the strength of her uterine contractions. This is done quite frequently for many women during pregnancy. There is no harm done to baby or mother.
2007-02-26 04:47:19 · answer #4 · answered by Mum to 2 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea because I never heard of that unless the doctor suspected something wrong or it could be the family history you gave him is there a history of heart disease? Otherwise maybe they are just super careful doctors I don't know you should call and ask why I would.
2007-02-26 04:44:53 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they told you his heart looks perfect why in the world would they want to do this to you? The only thing I can think of is to get more money from your insurance. You can absolutely tell them you do not want to get it done. If they give you a hard time switch doctor or hospital. I would personally prefer a midwife.
2007-02-26 05:23:46 · answer #6 · answered by cihuatl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of that before. I have been pregnant 4 times and not had that done. Your mom is right. What are they going to do about it if there were something wrong.
2007-02-26 04:46:40 · answer #7 · answered by Blondi 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats ridicoulous! If your doctor is really telling you this crap, then you need to get a different doctor. Sounds to me that this "doctor" is just trying to squeeze some more $ of of you and your insurance.
2007-02-26 04:54:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
MAYBE THEY HEAR SOMETHING THAT SEEMS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND WANT TO CHECK IT OUT PRIOR TO THE BABY BEING BORN? IF THEY DO FIND SOMETHING NOW IT WILL HELP THEM BETTER PREPARE FOR THE DELIVERY. THEY MAY NEED TO HAVE ADDITIONAL SPECIALIST AVAILABLE DURING YOUR DELIVERY WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN IF NOT FOR THE EKG. IF YOU SMOKE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE STOP. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T WORRY, IF THE DR IS SMART ENOUGH TO CHECK IT OUT HE'S SMART ENOUGH TO HANDLE IT!
2007-02-26 04:48:27 · answer #9 · answered by proud2btysmom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmmm well im pregnant with # 4 and never had one done...but good luck w/everything!
2007-02-26 04:44:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋