Preparing for Your Fetal MRI: How Do Doctors Do the Fetal MRI?

You have been scheduled to have a fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at Mass General for Children (MGfC). Get answers to some frequently asked questions about fetal MRIs and prepare for your appointment.

How Do Doctors Do a Fetal MRI?

The MRI scanner looks like a large, tube-shaped machine. You will lie down comfortably on a table attached to the scanner. The table will slide into the MRI scanner. Then, the MRI scanner will take pictures of your baby’s body.

The MRI technologist who does the test will talk to you and answer any questions or concerns you have that day. The MRI scan usually takes about 30-60 minutes (½ an hour – 1 hour), depending on how much your baby is moving.

Learn More

• Overview
• How Fetal MRIs are Performed
• Benefits of a Fetal MRI
• Safety of Fetal MRI
• Results from Your Fetal MRI

Rev. 12/2015. Mass General for Children and Massachusetts General Hospital do not endorse any of the brands listed on this website. This website is intended to provide health information so that you can be better informed. It is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to treatment of any medical conditions.