Ultrasound scans are a routine and invaluable part of antenatal care, utilizing sound waves to create images of your baby within the womb. These scans are painless, considered safe for both mother and baby at any stage of pregnancy, and offer crucial insights into your baby’s development and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns about antenatal ultrasound scans, it’s always best to consult with your midwife, general practitioner (GP), or obstetrician.
While pregnancy scans are often a joyous occasion, it’s important to be aware that they may also detect potential health conditions. Deciding whether or not to undergo screening is a personal choice, and your midwife can provide comprehensive information to help you make an informed decision.
For further reading on navigating potential findings from antenatal screening tests, you can refer to resources detailing what to do if an antenatal screening test suggests a possible condition in your baby.
What to Expect During Your Antenatal Ultrasound Scan
Typically performed by trained sonographers, antenatal ultrasound scans take place in a dimly lit room to optimize image clarity.
You will be asked to lie comfortably on your back, exposing your abdomen.
A sonographer will apply a спеціальний gel to your tummy. This gel ensures optimal contact between the ultrasound probe and your skin, facilitating clear image transmission.
The sonographer will then gently move a probe across your abdomen. This probe emits sound waves that generate real-time images of your baby on the ultrasound screen.
Throughout the scan, the sonographer will position the screen to maintain a clear view of your baby.
The sonographer will meticulously examine your baby’s anatomy. To obtain the best possible views, they may apply gentle pressure to your abdomen.
How Long Does an Antenatal Scan Take?
Most antenatal ultrasound scans are completed within 20 to 30 minutes. However, the duration can vary depending on factors such as the baby’s position or movement.
If your baby is in a position that obstructs clear imaging or is moving excessively, it may take longer to obtain satisfactory views. In some instances, the scan may need to be extended or rescheduled for another time to ensure comprehensive assessment.
Are Antenatal Ultrasound Scans Safe for Me and My Baby?
To date, there are no known risks associated with antenatal ultrasound scans for either the mother or the baby. However, it’s essential to consider the implications of undergoing a scan.
Ultrasound scans can provide information that may lead to further decisions regarding your pregnancy. For example, if a scan identifies a potential concern, you might be offered additional diagnostic tests, such as amniocentesis, which carries a small risk of miscarriage. Therefore, thoughtful consideration is advised when deciding whether to have antenatal ultrasound scans.
When Are Antenatal Scans Offered?
In many healthcare systems, including those in England, pregnant women are typically offered at least two routine antenatal ultrasound scans:
-
First Trimester Scan (11 to 14 weeks): Often referred to as the 12-week scan or dating scan. During this scan, the sonographer will take measurements of your baby to accurately determine your estimated due date (EDD). This scan may also incorporate a nuchal translucency (NT) scan, a component of the combined screening test for Down’s syndrome and other chromosomal conditions, if you choose to undergo this screening.
-
Mid-Pregnancy Scan (18 to 21 weeks): Known as the 20-week screening scan, anomaly scan, or mid-pregnancy scan. This detailed scan systematically checks for around 11 physical conditions in your baby.
Depending on your individual health circumstances and the specifics of your pregnancy, you may be offered additional scans beyond these routine appointments.
Receiving Your Antenatal Scan Results
In most cases, the sonographer will be able to communicate the preliminary results of your antenatal ultrasound scan to you immediately during your appointment. This allows for prompt discussion and addresses any immediate questions you may have.
Are Antenatal Ultrasound Scans Mandatory?
No, antenatal ultrasound scans are not mandatory. The decision to have these scans is entirely yours. Some expectant parents wish to gain as much information as possible about their baby’s health, including the possibility of identifying potential conditions. Others may prefer not to undergo screening. The 12-week dating scan and the 20-week screening scan are offered as part of routine antenatal care, but you have the right to decline them.
If you choose not to have antenatal ultrasound scans, your decision will be fully respected, and your antenatal care will continue as normal. You will have ample opportunity to discuss your preferences with your maternity care team before making any decisions.
What are the Purposes of Antenatal Ultrasound Scans?
Antenatal ultrasound scans serve a variety of crucial purposes throughout your pregnancy:
-
Accurate Dating of Pregnancy: Particularly during the 12-week dating scan, measurements of your baby provide a more precise gestational age. This can refine your estimated due date, which is initially calculated from the first day of your last menstrual period. Ultrasound measurements offer a more accurate timeframe for your pregnancy.
-
Multiple Pregnancy Detection: Ultrasound scans can definitively determine if you are carrying more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.).
-
Detection of Certain Physical Conditions: The 20-week anomaly scan is specifically designed to screen for a range of physical conditions in your baby. Ultrasound scans can also identify certain anomalies earlier in pregnancy.
-
Placenta and Baby Position Assessment: Ultrasound imaging can visualize the position of your baby within the uterus and the location of the placenta. For instance, if the placenta is situated low in the uterus during late pregnancy (placenta previa), a Cesarean section may be recommended for delivery.
-
Monitoring Baby’s Growth: Regular ultrasound scans can track your baby’s growth and development, ensuring they are progressing as expected. This is especially important in pregnancies with twins or in cases where there have been previous pregnancy complications or concerns in the current pregnancy.
Can I Bring Family or Friends to My Antenatal Scan?
Yes, you are welcome to bring a companion to your antenatal ultrasound scan appointment. Many expectant parents appreciate having a partner, family member, or friend present for support and to share in the experience.
However, most hospitals and ultrasound clinics discourage bringing children to scan appointments due to the lack of childcare facilities. It is advisable to check with your hospital or clinic regarding their specific policy on children attending scans prior to your appointment.
It’s important to remember that antenatal ultrasound scans are medical examinations, and they are treated with the same confidentiality and focus as any other hospital investigation. While often joyful, scans can sometimes reveal unexpected or concerning findings about the baby’s health.
What Happens if Everything Appears Normal on the Scan?
The vast majority of antenatal ultrasound scans reveal that the baby is developing typically, and no abnormalities are detected. This is reassuring, as most babies are indeed healthy. In these cases, you will continue with your routine antenatal care schedule.
It’s important to remember that while ultrasound scans are highly effective, they cannot detect all health conditions. If you have any persistent worries or concerns that something might not be right with your pregnancy, it’s crucial to discuss these concerns with your doctor or midwife. Your intuition and observations are valuable parts of your antenatal care.
What Happens if the Scan Suggests a Potential Condition?
If an antenatal ultrasound scan indicates that your baby may be at increased risk of having a particular condition, the sonographer may seek a second opinion from a senior colleague to ensure accuracy and thoroughness.
You may be offered further, more specialized diagnostic tests to determine definitively whether your baby has the condition in question. These tests might include procedures like amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
If further testing is recommended, you will receive comprehensive information about the tests, their purpose, potential risks and benefits, and what the results might mean. This will empower you to make an informed decision about whether or not to proceed with additional testing. You will have ample opportunity to discuss your options with your midwife or a consultant obstetrician.
If necessary, you will be referred to a specialist, possibly at another hospital with expertise in the specific condition identified or suspected. This ensures you receive the most appropriate and specialized care.
Can I Find Out My Baby’s Sex During an Antenatal Ultrasound Scan?
Determining the baby’s sex is not a routine component of the national antenatal screening program. The primary purpose of these scans is to assess the baby’s health and development.
However, if you wish to know the sex of your baby, it may be possible to find out during the 20-week screening scan, depending on your hospital’s policy and the clarity of the images obtained. It’s advisable to inform the sonographer at the beginning of the scan if you would like to know the baby’s sex.
Please be aware that sonographers cannot guarantee 100% accuracy in determining the baby’s sex via ultrasound. Factors such as the baby’s position can sometimes make it difficult or impossible to visualize the genitalia clearly.
Some hospitals have a policy of not disclosing the baby’s sex to parents. To understand the specific policy at your hospital, please speak with your sonographer or midwife.
Can I Get a Picture of My Baby from the Ultrasound Scan?
Whether you can obtain a picture of your baby from your antenatal ultrasound scan depends on the policies of your specific hospital or ultrasound clinic. Some facilities routinely provide parents with ultrasound images, while others may offer this as an optional service.
If picture provision is available, there may be a nominal charge associated with receiving a printed image or digital copy of your baby’s ultrasound picture. It’s best to inquire about picture availability and any associated costs with your hospital or clinic prior to your scan.
[Placeholder for Video: What happens at a scan and what will they tell me?]
(It seems the video is not available in text format, so I will omit it and focus on text content as per instructions.)
