Referral for fetal echocardiography is associated with increased maternal anxiety.

Background: Referral for fetal echocardiography (fECHO) is an acute stressor that may induce significant maternal anxiety. To promote good clinical management of expectant mothers in this situation, including adequate screening for possible psychiatric interventions, data are needed regarding the psychosocial functioning of women scheduled for fECHO procedures.

Objective: To investigate the association between fECHO and maternal anxiety.