ECG or echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to create moving pictures of your heart. The pictures show the size and shape of your heart. They also show how well your heart's chambers and valves are working.
When our doctor referred us to a pediatric cardiologist because Little One has slight heart murmurings, my reaction was like that of any other mother would have had...I was scarred, anxious and apprehensive to have my boy undergo the test. But the doctor assured us that we should not worry too much because the heart murmuring could just be blood flowing which is quite normal for young babies. But considering LO's background, undergoing the test would ensure our peace of mind.
We were referred to Kidslink Child Clinic who has a pediatrician who has Special Interest in Paeditric Cardiology. I called the clinic to make an appointment. After the appointment, I "googled" on what to expect during an ECG test.
Echocardiograms are considered very safe, and generally require no special preparation. Its a simple, painless way for doctors to investigate possible symptoms of a heart problem exhibited by your baby. Armed with that knowledge, still i was not pacified.
We were 45 minutes early for our appointment. I was thinking that we should be early so that LO would have time to settle down and relax so that it would not affect his test results. I don't know whether there is any scientific basis to my theory though ;) Then when it was our turn he was weighed and measured and then we were asked to bring him to the doctor's room where he was examined. Dr. Heng Joo Teck was quite positive. He reassured us that he doesn't hear anything that would cause our concern. But still he recommended that we go on with the test.
Miguel did very well during the test. He did not moved that much which is quite surprising :). He was very cooperative that time. We dress him with button down shirt for easy access. And we did not apply oil on his body (which normally we would after every bath).
The rest of the ECG test was very similar to my sonogram when I was pregnant. After jelly is applied to the chest, the doctor slides the probe around to get pictures of the baby's heart. He even examined his tummy area.
There is a monitor where you will see pictures of the baby's heart on the screen as the echocardiogram is performed. And well, if you are as "crazy" as me, you may be searching for any signs of problem and jumping to conclusions even if you have no idea what a normal or abnormal heart would look like. I also from time to time would look at the doctor to see any signs of concern in his face. I was hardly breathing, that hubby had to squeeze my arm and jokingly say that if I continue to hold my breath, I would be the next one to be examined. After several minutes, which for me was like eternity, the doctor finally said it was over.
He gave as a smile and said everything is normal. Then that's the time I started breathing normally again. And little one is innocently blabbering as we dress him up.
We got the result on the same day. I tried to read what the results says. Ventricles, Aorta, Artery, Atrioventricular valves and some I cannot even read was written on the piece of paper. I really don't know what those foreign sounding terms are and for now I actually don't what to know. What I was interested in was the world "Normal" besides every foreign sounding heart part.
As what my mother told me, nothing is impossible in prayers.
I am a very happy mom. I have a happy baby, with a healthy heart. What more as parents can we ask for? :)
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