Patient education

The second trimester ultrasound is a common exam. This is done midway through your pregnancy, around 18 weeks. Along with checking many other things during this screening, sonographers will get images and take measurements of your baby’s heart. They want to make sure the chambers, valves and arteries are developing properly and are in the correct position.

If any possible problems are detected with the baby’s heart, your next best step is to arrange to have a fetal echocardiogram. Fetal echocardiograms are highly specialized, detailed ultrasound tests to see pictures of your baby’s heart. They can be performed by a pediatric cardiologist or a maternal-fetal specialist. These doctors are specially trained to focus on performing, reading and evaluating fetal echocardiograms.

Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common of all birth defects. They can range from “holes” in the heart to syndromes in which half the heart fails to develop completely. However, even today, most babies born with complex CHDs live well into adulthood. Early diagnosis and intervention is key to a long and healthy lifestyle.

Once a pediatric cardiologist has examined your unborn baby’s heart, he or she can provide you with a specific diagnosis. They'll also talk to you about your options. These can include delivering your baby at a hospital with high-risk obstetricians, a neonatal intensive care unit, and pediatric cardiology and heart surgery services.