Q: How many scans will I need to have?
A:
We offer scans at 8, 12, 22 and 36 weeks as part of our packages. At each scan, measurements of the baby are taken, the amniotic fluid is assessed and the placenta is located. If you are not intending to book with us for a private delivery but would like private scans you can have a scan at any time during the pregnancy. NHS hospital usually offer at least two scans between 12-16 weeks and an anomally scan.
Between 7-11 weeks we check the viability of the pregnancy. This is to confirm a heartbeat of the baby is present and it is not ectopic. Women who have experienced a previous miscarriage, received fertility treatment or suffered an ectopic will be concerned that everything is ok.
At the 12-week scan, a screening for Down’s syndrome is offered by measuring the neck skinfold thickness and the bone in the baby’s nose. This may be complemented by a blood test on the woman's blood for two hormones (human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy associated protein).
The 22-week scan (sometimes called an anomaly scan) checks the structure of the baby in detail. The baby’s heart, brain, spine and limbs are scanned to detect any abnormalities. The scan can never completely guarantee 100% health, but it will give a very strong reassurance. We will also check the placenta, amniotic fluid and the umbilical cord.
The 36-week scan is a final check to measure the baby’s head, abdomen and limbs and to estimate the weight of the baby. This gives a guide to how big the baby will be at birth. We also look at how the baby is moving, the amount of amniotic fluid and where the placenta is. This scan is not commonly offered on the NHS, but we believe it is very useful, especially if there is a query about the type of delivery a mother may need to have. The size and position of the baby can affect the mode of delivery. Click here for more information on ultrasound scan services at The Birth Company.
