You have been referred for a fetal echocardiogram. Your mind is running at 100 kilometres an hour.
Let me slow that down for a moment.
What to do before you come:
Eat a light meal or snack about an hour before. A hungry mother often means a sleeping baby, and a sleeping baby does not move into a good position easily. Stay well hydrated; good hydration genuinely helps with imaging. Wear comfortable, loose clothing. You will be lying down for a while, and there is no reason to be uncomfortable on top of everything else.
What to bring — and this part is important:
In India, fetal echo falls under the PNDT Act, which means we are legally required to collect certain documents before the scan can begin. Please carry all of these:
A referral letter from your doctor on their official letterhead or with their stamp, including their medical registration number, and a copy of it. This is not optional; without it, the scan cannot proceed.
A photocopy of a valid photo identity and address proof. Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, or driving licence; any one of these works.
Your anomaly scan report and any previous echo or scan reports. A list of all medications you are currently taking. Your obstetric history, especially if this is not your first pregnancy.
And bring someone with you. Results and conversations are better absorbed when you are not sitting alone.
What to expect:
There may be silence during the scan. That is concentration, not concern. You will get a full explanation once it is done — hold your questions for then, and ask everything.
A fetal echo is not a frightening test. It is one of the most detailed windows we have into your baby’s heart, before birth.
Come prepared. Come calm. We will do the rest.”
Fetal Cardiac Care 