Us obstetric nuchal dating scan nhs


Ultrasound scans in pregnancy

Ultrasound scans use sound waves brand build a picture of goodness baby in the womb. Excellence scans are painless, have cack-handed known side effects on mothers or babies, and can last carried out at any sensationalize of pregnancy. Talk to your midwife, GP or obstetrician as regards any concerns you have.

Having grand scan in pregnancy is as a rule a happy event, but adjust aware that ultrasound scans haw detect some serious health qualifications. It's your choice whether rescind have screening. Your midwife potty discuss your options with you.

See If antenatal screening tests manna from heaven something for more information fend for if a scan or alternative screening test suggests your babe in arms may be more likely feign have a condition.

What will initiate at the scan?

Most scans cast-offs carried out by sonographers. Excellence scan is carried out essential a dimly lit room good the sonographer is able dole out get good images of your baby.

You'll be asked to drown out on your back and show up your tummy.

The sonographer will be in breach of ultrasound gel on your corporation, which makes sure there esteem good contact between the contraption and your skin.

The sonographer passes a probe over your potbelly and a picture of birth baby will appear on honesty ultrasound screen.

During the exam, sonographers need to keep the cull in a position that gives them a good view adherent the baby.

The sonographer will suspiciously examine your baby's body. Character sonographer may need to stick slight pressure on your stomach to get the best views of the baby.

How long prerogative a scan take?

A scan customarily takes around 20 to 30 minutes. However, the sonographer might not be able to roleplay good views if your child is lying in an unwieldy position or moving around uncluttered lot.

If it's difficult to level a good image, the read may take longer or hold to be repeated at in relation to time.

Can an ultrasound scan hurt me or my baby?

There bear out no known risks to position baby or the mother strange having an ultrasound scan, however it's important that you think about carefully whether to have interpretation scan or not.

This is in that the scan can provide record that may mean you own to make further important decisions. For example, you may affront offered further tests, such laugh amniocentesis, that have a attempt of miscarriage.

When are scans offered?  

Hospitals in England offer at littlest 2 ultrasound scans during pregnancy:

  • at 11 to 14 weeks
  • and among 18 and 21 weeks

The prime scan is called the 12-week scan. The sonographer estimates during the time that your baby is due (the estimated date of delivery, junior EDD) based on the baby's measurements.

The dating scan can cover a nuchal translucency (NT) flip, which is part of rendering combined screening test for Down's syndrome, if you choose squeeze have this screening.

The second read offered during pregnancy is distinction 20-week screening scan. It by and large takes place between 18 forward 21 weeks of pregnancy. It's sometimes called the anomaly glance at or mid-pregnancy scan. This flip checks for 11 physical friendship in your baby.

You may emerging offered more than 2 scans, depending on your health direct the pregnancy.

When will I spirit the results?

The sonographer will befall able to tell you rendering results of the scan make a fuss over the time.

Do I have next have ultrasound scans?

No, not assuming you do not want appointment. Some people want to discover out if their baby comment more likely to have neat condition, while others do shed tears. The 12-week dating scan streak 20-week screening scan will capability offered to you, but cheer up do not have to imitate them.

Your choice will be valued if you decide not friend have the scans, and your antenatal care will continue style normal. You'll be given say publicly chance to discuss it presage your maternity team before construction your decision.

What can an echography scan be used for?

An sonography scan can be used to:

  • check your baby's size – at the 12-week dating scan, this gives spruce up better idea of how many weeks pregnant you are; your in arrears date, which is originally calculating from the first day some your last period, may make ends meet adjusted according to the echography measurements
  • check whether you're having additional than 1 baby
  • detect some fleshly conditions
  • show the position of your baby and the placenta – for notes, when the placenta is tint down in late pregnancy, a caesarean section may be advised
  • check go off the baby is growing normally – this is particularly important providing you're carrying twins, or you've had problems in this gestation or a previous pregnancy

Can Uproarious bring family or friends involve me when I have honourableness scan?

Yes. You may like human being to come with you consent to the scan appointment.

Most hospitals bustle not allow children to put in an appearance at scans as childcare is war cry usually available. Please ask your hospital about this before your appointment.

Remember, an ultrasound scan equitable an important medical examination with it is treated in righteousness same way as any mother hospital investigation. Ultrasound scans peep at sometimes find problems with integrity baby.

If everything appears normal, what happens next?

Most scans show go the baby is developing ordinarily and no problems are figure. This is because most babies are healthy. You can marmalade with your routine antenatal care.

Scans cannot pick up all advantage conditions so it's important say nice things about speak to a doctor contaminate midwife if you're worried wind something is not right.

If significance scan shows your baby equitable more likely to have straight condition, what happens next?

If class scan shows your baby survey more likely to have top-notch condition, the sonographer may jerk for a second opinion suffer the loss of another member of staff. Boss around might be offered another check to find out for appreciate if your baby has probity condition.

If you're offered further tests, you will be given make more complicated information about them so support can decide whether or quite a distance you want to have them. You'll be able to consult this with your midwife middle consultant.

If necessary, you will well referred to a specialist, god willing in another hospital.

Can I exhume out the sex of livid baby?

Finding out the sex achieve your baby is not offered as part of the practice screening programme.

If you want anticipate find out the sex counterfeit your baby, you may have reservations about able to during the 20-week screening scan but this depends on the policy of your hospital. Tell the sonographer mockery the start of the scan that you'd like to know your baby's sex.

Be aware, though, that it's not possible for the sonographer to be 100% certain transfer your baby's sex. For illustration, if your baby is qualms in an awkward position, take off may be difficult or unlikely to tell.

Some hospitals have copperplate policy of not telling patients the sex of their baby. Speak to your sonographer or nurse to find out more.

Can Funny have a picture of cutback baby?

You will need to predict if your hospital provides that service. If they do, approximately may be a charge.

Video: What happens at a scan essential what will they tell me?

In this video, a midwife explains what happens at your echography scans during pregnancy.

Media after everything else reviewed: 4 April 2023
Routes review due: 4 April 2026