Pregnancy scans and tests

The Mummy Guides - What scans will I have and when?

Keeping mums in the know... A no-stress guide to ultrasound scans

You will have a number of ultrasound scans during your pregancy including: a dating scan, nuchal scan and Fetal anomaly scan

They’re safe, reliable and an easy way of checking your unborn baby’s health and development – and what’s more you’ll get the chance to see pictures of your beautiful baby on screen.

Ultrasound scans are just some of health checks you’ll be offered during your pregnancy.

While they can be an exciting and reassuring experience, it’s normal to feel a little nervous – so here’s what to expect and when.

What you’ll have and when

Dating scan (10-14 weeks)
Unless you’ve had problems such as bleeding (in which case you may have been offered an earlier scan), this will be your first scan. You may be asked to come with a full bladder, which can help provide a clearer image of your baby.

Sometimes, a readable picture can’t be made at this early stage of pregnancy, and you may be given a vaginal scan instead. This involves inserting a slim transducer into the birth canal to take pictures through the cervix. It can be a little uncomfortable but won’t hurt.

What are they looking for?
By taking measurements of your baby, the sonographer will be able to tell exactly how pregnant you are: this is generally a more accurate way of predicting your due date than going by the day of your last period.

As your baby’s features and organs are now already developing, other health checks can be made at the same time; for example, your baby’s heart, brain and spine will be examined.

What happens during a scan?
Your scan will be carried out by a trained ‘sonographer’, who will put some gel on your tummy and then pass a hand-held ‘transducer’ across it; this little machine emits high-frequency sound waves to pick up an image of your baby, which is bounced onto a computer screen. Appointments usually take anything from five to twenty minutes.

Nuchal scan (10-14 weeks)
Nuchal translucency scans are offered by many (but not all) hospitals in the UK. Sometimes, nuchal measurements are made during a dating scan, but you may be given a separate appointment for this. Ask your midwife or sonographer if you are unsure.

>> The Mummy Guides - What tests will I be offered and when?
>> Your scan timetable

What are they looking for?
This scan looks for physical indications of Down’s syndrome. The sonographer will take measurements of the tiny space at the base of your baby’s neck (the nuchal fold). In many Down’s babies, there is a large amount of fluid here, so this is seen as an indicator of the condition.

A nuchal scan can’t tell you for certain whether your baby has Down’s, but it can help you decide whether or not to have a diagnostic test such as CVS or amniocentesis.

Fetal anomaly scan (20 weeks)
Now that you are half-way through your pregnancy, a detailed ultrasound will be carried out in order to reassure you that there are no abnormalities (“anomalies”) in your baby’s development.

It will also check that the placenta isn’t lying too low (this can cause problems during labour because it can block your baby’s exit through the birth canal).

What are they looking for?
From head to toe, each part of your baby will be carefully examined in turn. The scan can detect even small problems, such as tiny holes in the heart and clefts in the lip. Your baby’s internal organs will also be examined, and the sonographer will look at your baby’s limbs, brain and facial features. The spine and abdominal wall and heart are also checked, and your baby will be measured again.

What if there’s a problem?
Serious problems are rare, but if any potential concerns are raised, a doctor will discuss these with you, and you may be offered further tests. Hospitals employ trained professionals and counsellors to talk things through with you – so do ask for help.

Further scans
Extra scans may be offered later in pregnancy if you are carrying more than one baby, have a complication, such as a low-lying placenta, or if there are any concerns about your baby’s development.

Mum’s top tip
"At my 20-week scan, the sonographer started calling my baby ‘he’. I was really upset as I wanted my baby’s sex to be a surprise. I’d definitely advise all mums to make it clear before the scan starts if they don’t want to know the secret."
Helen Rhyss, 27, mum to Jack, two months

Mum’s top tip
"Make sure you have your purse with you! We had to pay £6.50 for the pictures at our 12-week scan, which came as a bit of a shock."
Caroline Parritt, 30, 35 weeks pregnant