Some of the problems we detect may resolve spontaneously during pregnancy, some may require treatment after the baby is born, or rarely a major problem that may affect the baby’s survival will be detected. If for any of the reasons listed above we are unable to complete our checks on your baby we will arrange a follow up scan for you.įortunately most scans are normal, however some scans will show problems with the baby. To do the scan early means that the baby is smaller and it is harder to see the detail that we need to check and scanning too late in the pregnancy means that the baby is often very curled up and less likely to turn and move to show us what we need. Gestation of the pregnancy – ideally we like to do the anatomy scan at 20 weeks as this is the best time to do our checks for most women.We can usually get clear enough images to do the checks that we need to do but sometimes with larger ladies we have to ask you to come back when the baby is a little bigger to help us see more clearly. The more tissue the sound has to travel through to reach the baby, the less clear the image. Maternal BMI – ultrasound works by sending sound waves into the body and ‘listening’ to the echoes that come back.Your womb – every one of us is different, some wombs tilt forwards and some tilt backwards, sometimes these variations can make scanning a little harder and the pictures a little less clear.It’s just one of those things and we will do our best to try and encourage it to move to enable us to do all our checks. Position of the baby – sometimes babies just lie in awkward positions.The quality of the pictures we get depend on a number of factors including the position of the baby, the position, shape and structure of your womb, maternal BMI and the gestation of the pregnancy. This scan usually takes around 30 minutes although it can take longer if the baby is in a difficult position or if a problem is detected. So whilst a normal 20 week scan is very reassuring it cannot guarantee a healthy baby. This scan checks for major physical abnormalities in your baby, although it can’t pick up every problem.
This is a detailed ultrasound scan, usually carried out when you are 20 weeks pregnant. This is known as second trimester screening or MSS2.įor more information about first and second trimester screening click here įirst trimester screening is offered to all women, but you don’t have to have it, it is your choice. If your first scan is performed after 13 weeks + 6 days you can still have screening for Downs Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.
LabPlus will contact your midwife with the results and she will discuss the results with you MSS2 SECOND TRIMESTER SCREENING Because this calculation is not carried out on site we are not able to give you the results straight away (on the day). LabPlus then calculate the risk or chance that your pregnancy is affected with Downs Syndrome. We send these measurements to LabPlus in Auckland where a blood sample from you is also sent. This measurement is of a small fluid area at the back of the baby’s neck called the nuchal translucency. If after discussion with your midwife you decide to have first trimester screening for downs syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities we will take one additional measurement on your baby. This scan is performed between 12 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days. In addition and only if requested we will also check the Nuchal translucency as part of the maternal serum screening (MSS1) for Downs Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. The purpose of this scan is to check for your baby’s heart beat (viability), confirm the estimated due date, confirm the number of babies and evaluate the baby’s health. FIRST TRIMESTER SCAN +/- NUCHAL SCREENING – 12 WEEKS If there are any clinical indications determined by your midwife or doctor that an early scan is necessary (such as a suspected miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy) it can be requested, otherwise current guidelines state that the first ultrasound of the pregnancy should ideally be offered when the gestational age is thought to be between 12 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days. Routine dating scans are no longer supported by the Ministry of Health. THE FOUR MOST COMMON STAGES TO HAVE AN ULTRASOUND.
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