Your Visit | Overview
Don’t worry about the possible unknowns of your first visit to Boston Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program. We want to put you at ease by detailing what you can expect. This webpage will explain how you can be referred for a visit, what you need to know before the visit, and what happens during the visit.
How you can be referred for fetal cardiology evaluation
If your obstetrician, maternal-fetal medicine provider, or cardiologist thinks a heart defect of your fetus may benefit from fetal cardiology evaluation, call the Maternal Fetal Care Center at Boston Children's (617-355-1499). The center will put you in touch with one of our cardiologists, who will review the imaging. To learn more about referrals, go to our Refer a Patient webpage. The earlier you are referred, the more likely a fetal cardiac intervention can be performed in a timely fashion if needed.
What you need to know before your visit
If you’re about to visit Boston Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program for a fetal echocardiogram or other testing, there are a few things you should know beforehand.
First, a fetal echocardiogram may be necessary if:
- An ultrasound showed a suspected heart problem
- An ultrasound showed a problem outside of the heart that increases the risk of a heart problem
- Genetic testing showed an abnormality that increases the risk of heart problem
- If the pregnant person has a medical condition that increases the risk of a heart problem
- If the pregnant person takes certain medications that can increase the risk of a heart problem
- If there is a family history of congenital heart defects
The timeline for a fetal echocardiogram
Congenital heart defects are typically detected when a fetus is 16 to 22 weeks old, the gestational age at which most women undergo an obstetric ultrasound. Some serious heart defects can be detected as early as 14 weeks. For best visualization, it is ideal to have an echocardiogram between 18 and 24 weeks.
3 things to know about your baby's heart
Critical information about your baby’s heart can help you determine if your baby has a heart defect. Read our short guide before your next prenatal appointment.
What happens during your visit
Evaluation and diagnosis
At your first appointment at Boston Children’s Fetal Cardiology Program, your cardiologist will perform a fetal echocardiogram, an advanced diagnostic test that will determine the health of your baby's heart.
Other tests we may perform include:
- fetal ultrasound
- fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Watch: What questions can I ask at my OB ultrasound?
Did you know that at least half of all children born with a heart condition are not diagnosed during pregnancy? This short video highlights three simple questions to ask at your 18- to 22-week screening ultrasound to make sure the fetal heart is healthy.
Fetal cardiology diagnosis and consultation
Following your echocardiogram, our fetal cardiologist and team will sit down with you and discuss the fetus’ heart problem, treatment options, and long-term outlook. We provide comprehensive prenatal counseling and education about the diagnosis and road ahead. We will explain all available treatment options. We offer a wealth of support services to your family throughout your pregnancy journey. We will also assist in high-risk pregnancy and coordinated delivery care at Brigham and Women’s Hospital or Beth Israel Hospital.