Around the halfway mark of your pregnancy, you’re offered a peek into your baby’s secret world through the 20-week anomaly scan. This ultrasound scan is more than just an opportunity to find out if you’re having a boy or a girl; it’s a crucial check-up on your developing baby.
A Glimpse Inside: The scan is performed between 18 and 22 weeks. It is a detailed look at your baby’s body. The sonographer will guide a small device across your belly, translating sound waves into a picture that reveals your baby’s heartbeat, the curl of a hand, the spine, and more. It’s a moment of connection, of seeing your baby move and grow in real time.
Checking for Well-being: Besides the exciting opportunity of seeing your baby, this scan assesses their development and growth, checking everything from the brain to the toes and everything in between, to ensure they are developing as expected. Several of the baby’s major organs are visualized to make sure they are where they should be, and developing normally. It’s reassuring for most parents to see their baby and hear that all is progressing well. You may also be able to find out the sex of your baby at this scan. This information will only be given to you if asked, and isn’t 100% accurate!
Preparing for Possibilities: If the scan does show something unexpected, your healthcare team will guide you through the next steps. This might involve additional tests or consultations, but starting with information and support is key. Remember if you are ever unsure, please ask. If you need time, you to process information or do any research, please make your healthcare team aware of your needs.
The 20-week scan is a milestone, a mix of anticipation and significant health checks. It’s a part of the journey that brings you closer to meeting your little one, equipped with knowledge and reassurance. You have the right to decline but you must ensure that you are making an informed decision taking into consideration any associated implications of your decision.
You don’t usually need to have an empty bladder for this ultrasound but avoid taking other children where possible. The scan is quite lengthy and can take around half and hour, meaning little ones can become bored and irritable.
