anyone had a cardiovascular echo scan?

[littleM]

my dating scan showed large nuchal fold, had cvs done which thankfully showed no chromosome abnormalities.

I am now booked in for a scan to look at the babys heart in 1 1/2 weeks. I am getting more stressed the closer it gets.

Not really sure what to expect - none of the blurb I got at my booking in appointment mentions this type of scan

I am trying to convince myself that even if anything is wrong that it could be fixed but suspect I am just kidding myself

dp doesn't want to announce to anyone else (parents already know) that we are expecting until we have had this scan though there are only so many baggy tops I can wear!

If anyone has had one of these heart scans please can you let me know what to expect, what they are looking for.

Thanks

My dd had a heart scan when I was about 24 weeks pregnant. It was because I have a family history of a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Fortunately she did not show any signs of it. The scan I had was basically like the normal scans but they measure the size of the heart chambers and arteries, as well as the blood flow through the heart (called a doppler I think). In my dd's case they were looking for thickening of the heart walls. Sorry can't be of more help with your situation. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that everything is ok. It must be horrible for you having to wait 1 1/2 weeks.

This must be worrying for you - could your midwife/doctor explain why they are referring you for this scan?

Unfortunately I can't really help with why they have referred you and what they are looking for in your circumstance, but I have had to have a couple of these scans during my pregnancy as I have a heart condition which can be inherited. As sarsums said they are just like normal ultrasound scans but just focusing on the heart. I had mine done at a specialist centre at St Thomas's hospital in London and the staff were so nice and reassuring and as they're experts in this area explained as they went along exactly they were looking for.

I hope all is OK for you.

i have had loads of these scans done on dd3, and now expecting dd4. this is because my dh had dilated cardiomyopathy (he is now post-transplant)

they will be doing the scan due to the large nuchal fold, because as well as looking for signs of downs etc, can indicate heart conditions as well. they will be ruling out any major conditions.

Its done the same way as a normal scan, but focuses on the heart only. They wil lcheck blood through through the heart, main arteries, chambers, look for any possible defects.

Do be aware they cannot rule out some holes, as some things close up after giving birth and not in utereo.

DD1 has a minor heart defect, dd2 has a murmur only, dd3 is clear completly, and i hopefully find out in a month or so for sure about dd4, once she arrives