Frequent Fetal Heart Questions and Answers
Managing fetal heart problems through an interdisciplinary approach, families will have the access to comprehensive care through the Fetal Heart Program at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, including:
Fetal Heart Program staff are also available to review test information and provide consultation for second opinions in cases of fetal heart disease.
Following are answers to frequent questions about fetal cardiology and the Fetal Heart Program:
Why consider the Fetal Heart Program at Cincinnati Children's?
The Fetal Heart Program staff have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating the fetus with heart disease, and have extensive resources for counseling and educating families about these conditions.
As a part of the Heart Center at Cincinnati Children's, the Fetal Heart Program is part of a comprehensive team that offers state-of-the-art diagnosis and care of patients with heart disease from fetal life through adulthood.
The Fetal Heart Program also works in close collaboration with the Fetal Care Center of Cincinnati as well as with high-risk obstetricians and neonatologists to insure communication among doctors is optimal and delivery and care of the newborn with heart disease is as well planned as possible.
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What will happen during my visit with the Fetal Heart Program?
There are two possible answers for this question. If you are seeing us for a screening echocardiogram due to a history of family members born with heart conditions, exposure to medications or other noted defects in the baby, you will have the fetal echo then a consultation with the fetal cardiologist to discuss their findings.
However, if your physician has sent you for the echo because of an ultrasound that is suspicious, you will start with the fetal echocardiogram, followed by the consult with the cardiologist and finally the Cardiac Surgeon to discuss the treatment options, if needed. You can also have a tour of the units that the baby will be transferred to for care after delivery.
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I have been told my unborn child has heart disease. What do I do now?
You and your doctors should be sure to establish a plan of care for the baby, which includes care during your pregnancy, plans for the delivery of the baby and care in the period right after the baby is born.
In most, but not all, cases of heart disease diagnosed prenatally, the baby does not develop significant problems related to the heart disease until after birth. In some cases, however, the baby is at risk to develop heart failure and become sick prior to delivery and may need repeated evaluations prior to birth.
The plan for delivery and for care of the infant after birth depends on the type and severity of heart disease diagnosed in your baby. In most cases, these plans should be developed by both fetal cardiologists and obstetricians working together to provide the best possible care to your baby.
If you have concerns or questions regarding the care plan for your child, specialists in the Fetal Heart Program would be happy to answer any questions you may have.
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For more specific information about fetal heart conditions, problems and specialists, please contact the Fetal Heart Program staff at Cincinnati Children's.
For more information, please contact the Heart Center staff at Cincinnati Children's.
