If you’re expecting a baby – congratulations!
During your pregnancy, you’ll be offered an ultrasound scan at around 18-21 weeks. This scan will be delivered by a sonographer, and they will check your baby’s heart. In the vast majority of cases, your sonographer will be able to give you the reassurance that your baby’s heart has been thoroughly checked and looks to be developing normally. But the 20 week scan is the best time to spot heart problems during pregnancy and some parents-to-be will find out that their baby has suspected congenital heart disease (CHD) at this time.
Think 20. Think HEART.
The 20 week scan – the fetal anomaly screening that all mums-to-be are offered by the NHS – is the best chance to detect heart defects before the baby is born. We want to reach as many pregnant women as possible, and give them the information they need to protect their ‘tiny ticker’ from the 20-week pregnancy scan and beyond.
Receiving unexpected news at your antenatal scan
This can be a worrying time for you and we hope this information gives you some insight into what to expect. It is important to remember you are not alone.