Fetal Heart Scanning Tips

We all know how frustrating it can be to get a beautiful 4 chamber view of the heart. This week Bill reveals some tricks to help mitigate that frustration. Remember that the fetus is in charge, and trying to get a 4 chamber view when the fetus is spinning around is a waste of time. Just wait until the baby settles down and return to a nice abdominal circumference. From here you just angle slightly toward the fetal head and you will come into a 4 chamber view. Try to the keep the ribs in long axis, this will insure you are truly transverse on the chest. Remember to use all of your windows. If the fetus is spine up you will have to move over on mom and angle back to try and view the heart unobstructed by the spine. Also, if you are unable to capture the 4 chambers but can see them real time, just take a cine clip for your physician. They will appreciate having that documentation. Good luck!