When is fetal anomaly scan done

A full support service will be available for you should any issue be detected, including a referral to an appropriate pediatrician. A copy of your report will be sent to your referring hospital, doctor or midwife to ensure good communication. Please leave this field empty. Reasons to have this scan Reassure you that your baby is developing normally. Confirm the gestational age of your pregnancy.

Confirm the number of fetuses and, if twins, whether they are identical or not. Detect birth defects, such as a spina bifida or heart problems. You will be asked to lie on a couch, raise your upper garments to your chest and lower your trousers or saree to the top of your legs. Tissue paper will be tucked around your clothing to protect it from the ultrasound gel, which will then be applied to your abdomen.

The doctor then passes a hand held device called a probe over your skin, applying slight pressure. Most examinations will take between 30 and 40 minutes but occasionally you will be asked to wait longer to allow your baby to move into a more favorable position. The amniotic fluid surrounding your baby will look black. Most serious abnormalities can be detected on a scan. However, it is not possible to see all problems and some will only be found after birth.

Some conditions such as cerebral palsy and autism will never be seen on a scan. The quality of the scan image depends on many factors, including the position of the baby and the size of the mother.

For example, it will be more difficult to see the baby clearly if the mother is overweight. A poor image will affect our ability to see problems. The doctor will look at the placenta after birth. The placenta will be described as low if it reaches down to or covers the neck of your uterus your cervix.

Below is a list of different types of congenital abnormality, and how likely scanning is to identify each problem. This means that even if your scan is normal there is a small chance that your baby will still have a problem. Some conditions, including certain heart defects and bowel obstructions, may not be seen until later in your pregnancy. Having your anomaly scan will most likely rule out all these conditions, as the vast majority of babies are born healthy.

Sometimes babies with chromosomal abnormalities have signs called ultrasound markers. While some babies with chromosomal abnormalities have these markers, it is important to remember that many normal babies also have these signs.

The only way to diagnose or exclude a chromosomal problem for certain is to have an amniocentesis. Most problems that need repeat scanning are not serious. About 15 per cent of scans will be done again for one reason or another. It can be carried out between 18 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. At the week anatomy and anomaly scan you'll be able to see your baby's body, arms, legs, fingers, toes and facial features.

Your ultrasound specialist will inspect your baby's anatomy and study the internal organs, and will talk you through the images on screen. If the genitals are not obscured and you wish to know, we can tell you the gender of your baby. After your appointment, we will send you a secure link where you can view and download a selection of images from your scan.

The majority of pregnancies are healthy, and this scan typically provides reassurance. In the unlikely event that any variations from normal development are detected, this helps parents and clinicians to plan care during the rest of pregnancy and make any special arrangement for birth and postnatal treatment. You can have a week pregnancy scan between 18 and 24 weeks into your pregnancy.

You can calculate these dates from the first day of your last period. Very occasionally this week scan can pick up abnormalities related to chromosome disorders that were missed in an earlier scan.