For me, my scan was somewhere in the middle. Similarly, some said that the scan was quick and easy, while others remember being there for over an hour or more and even some having to come back on a different date because their baby was not cooperating. I went into my scan not quite knowing what to expect-some other pregnant friends and moms told me that it was strictly an over-the-stomach ultrasound, while others said they had a transvaginal ultrasound. What Happens During the 20 Week Anatomy Scan? While they analyze baby from head to toe, they will also be looking for certain anatomical anomalies that can be seen on the scan. If this is your first ultrasound, your due date will be confirmed. They will study the heartbeat, check the amniotic fluid, and measure all of baby’s anatomy measurements. During this scan, a sonographer will look at everything, from the baby’s bone structure to their heart valves, to determine whether or not they are growing correctly. While this scan focuses on gender for the parents (for most, this will be when they can confirm whether it’s a girl or boy), it’s much more than that. Everything You Need to Know About the 20 Week Anatomy Scan What is the 20 Week Anatomy Scan?Īlthough it’s something you hear about often, most women aren’t sure why they need a 20-week scan. The 20-week scan can be just as nerve-wracking as it is exciting, so we dive into what exactly you can expect. During this scan, many parents-to-be find out the gender of the baby, and you get confirmation that baby is growing normally. This may be your first time seeing the baby. Another exciting part of this milestone is the 20-week ultrasound or anatomy scan. Once women reach 20 weeks, they often feel pretty good- morning sickness has subsided, and you aren’t big enough to be burdened with too much back pain and extra weight. While there is no ultrasound that can detect 100% of serious birth defects, most birth defects that are undetected with a Level 2 ultrasound usually are clinically less significant (such as a small hole in the heart which commonly closes on its own after birth).Congrats! You officially made it halfway through your pregnancy. The detection rate for birth defects with a Level 2 ultrasound is around 70 - 80%, while the detection rate can be as low as 15 - 20% with a standard Level 1 ultrasound. ![]() ![]() However, the detection of some birth defects (i.e., heart defects) at the time of the Level 2 can help with prenatal treatment or immediate treatment at delivery to prevent serious complications or an adverse outcome. Also, there is usually nothing anyone could have done to prevent the birth defect. ![]() If a baby does have a birth defect, usually there is nothing the mother did to cause it to happen. The vast majority of patients who have a baby with a birth defect are considered low risk at the beginning of the pregnancy. The sonographer will also be looking at your amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta, and the fetal heart rate.Ĭommon reasons for a Level 2 ultrasound include family history of birth defects, maternal medical problems associated with birth defects (poorly controlled diabetes, for example), exposure to medications associated with birth defects, advanced maternal age of 35 or older, abnormal screening results, and birth defects suspected from a Level 1 ultrasound. A survey of the organs, including the umbilical cord, ensures that they are developing normally (or identifies any potential problems as soon as possible). The four chambers of the heart will be viewed, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine and genitalia. A Level 2 ultrasound examination requires appropriately trained physicians and ultrasonographers as well as state of the art ultrasound equipment.ĭuring a level 2 ultrasound, baby will be measured from crown to rump, around the middle, around the head - and that's just for starters. ![]() An ultrasound evaluation performed prior to this time may be limited because structures may still be too small to accurately evaluate. The ultrasound examination is usually performed at about 20 weeks gestational age. It is a much more in-depth evaluation of the fetus than a standard or Level 1 ultrasound. A Level 2 ultrasound is a comprehensive, detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy and development.
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