What Does Mid-Pregnancy Anomaly Scan Include?

Needing to urinate more often is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy. It can actually be one of the first signs that you might be expecting, but it can also persist throughout your pregnancy. As well as needing more frequent bathroom breaks, you can also develop pregnancy incontinence, which means that you are less in control of your bladder.

What Else Can We Check at the Mid-Pregnancy Anomaly Scan?

By the time you have your mid-pregnancy scan, your baby will already have developed the major structures and organs. You may be surprised to see how your baby has changed, especially if you haven’t had an ultrasound for a few weeks. During the Anomaly Scan, we will be able to check the major organs, including the baby’s heart, brain, spine and digestive system. However, it’s important for us to look beyond your baby and check the supporting structures too. During the mid-pregnancy Anomaly Scan we will also look at the following structures.

• Placenta: the placenta is the sac that surrounds your baby. It contains the amniotic fluid and will be delivered just after your baby is born.
• Amniotic fluid: the amniotic fluid surrounds your baby. It acts as a protective cushion but also plays an important role in the development of the digestive system, lungs and muscles.
• Umbilical cord: the umbilical cord connects you and your baby during pregnancy. It supplies your baby with nutrients and oxygen, then carries waste material away.

Why Are These Checks So Important?

Checking on the placenta, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord during your mid-pregnancy Anomaly Scan can help us to assess the risk of certain problems during the later stages of your pregnancy:

• During the ultrasound we can check the position of the placenta, which can cause problems if it is low-lying at this stage of the pregnancy. You might experience issues such as bleeding or be more likely to need a C-section.
• We’ll check that you have the right amount of amniotic fluid. If there is too much or too little, then it can increase the chances of a premature birth. Low levels could also indicate there’s an issue with the placenta.
• Umbilical cord conditions could increase the risk of a complicated birth. If the blood flow along the umbilical cord isn’t good enough, then it could also prevent your baby from getting enough food and oxygen.

If we detect any issues with these structures at your mid-pregnancy Anomaly Scan, then you may need to have some additional ultrasounds during the remainder of your pregnancy. We can monitor issues such as a low-lying placenta to see if there are any changes. Keeping a close eye on your condition will enable us to spot the first signs of trouble.

The reports we provide will also help your midwife or obstetrician to make the best recommendations about your care. For example, if you are at high risk of complications you may need to choose a hospital delivery rather than a home birth. In some cases, you might need medication or other treatments to ensure that your pregnancy and delivery are as safe as possible.