An anomaly scan is an important prenatal screening and is a crucial step as it determines the health of the developing fetus and the expectant mother. To get the benefits of this ultrasound examination, the parents-to-be must be ready mentally and physically and know what to expect. Here, you will learn more about why an anomaly scan is done, what it helps determine and more.
An anomaly scan, also called a 20-week pregnancy scan, is an ultrasound scan that is done to check the fetus’s physical development and see if there are any malformations in the fetus. It is usually done in the 20th week of pregnancy when the growing fetus's organs are most clearly visible on the ultrasound. It can be performed between weeks 18 and 21 of pregnancy. It also helps to detect congenital disorders and anatomical abnormalities. The scan provides 2D, 3D and 4D images of the fetus, and the technician will take measurements and determine if the fetus's development is as per its age. A 20-week pregnancy scan is safe as it does not use X-rays or CT rays but instead uses sound waves. Your healthcare provider may ask for a 20-week scan, but you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to. It is preferable to get it done so that you know the fetus is healthy.
This is an ultrasound scan that measures the body parts and organs of the fetus in your uterus to ensure that the fetus is growing normally. The scan also looks for structural issues with organs and specific congenital abnormalities. Some specific parts of the fetus examined are:
During an ultrasound, several images are taken and the sonographer will draw lines. This is a way to measure the size of the limbs and organs. It is then compared with your due date, and if it is within a fortnight of the predicted due date, the fetus is said to be developing properly. The due date will change if the fetus measurement is outside the typical time frame.
In about 2 to 3% of pregnancies, there will be a problem with the development and growth of the baby. An ultrasound scan can help pick up visible defects. For instance, some babies have abnormalities in the brain and skull or with the spinal cord. Others may have issues with the kidneys, which means that the baby may not survive after birth. Heart defects like trachea-esophageal fistulas may require surgery after birth for survival. So when you do an ultrasound, you are better prepared, as you know the problem and whether it is treatable. You can then plan for medical treatment that is best suited for the fetus. However, you should know that not all defects can be determined by an anomaly scan, and despite positive results, there can be functional issues at birth.
Like every other medical procedure, an anomaly scan has certain limitations. While most of the defects can be identified, they are not 100%. Some defects can arise later in the pregnancy and may not be detected in the 20-week pregnancy. Several factors, like a baby’s position, carrying twins or triplets, or obesity, can make it difficult for sonographers to see certain anomalies. Also, conditions like the absence of an auditory opening or anal opening, soft tissue joining of toes or fingers, etc. cannot be detected. A cleft lip may be seen, but there cannot be any further examinations done inside the mouth. So, an anomaly scan pregnancy at 18 to 20 weeks does not give you a 100% guarantee of a healthy baby at birth. But that does not mean you should completely reject it, as it can detect a majority of abnormalities, especially when you use an advanced ultrasound machine and choose the best sonographers to do it. To get it done by the best professionals, you can either search for an anomaly scan near me online or ask your healthcare provider for references on the best place to get it done.
There is no preparation needed for an anomaly scan appointment. The scan itself will take about 45 minutes, and if you see your doctor with the results, that can add about 30 minutes more. So the appointment may last about 75 minutes in all. The anomaly scan price can start at Rs 1000 and depends on where you get it done. That is the only preparation you need for the scan. But the only thing needed is to get the baby in position to get clear images.
Here are a few tips to get the baby moving, as sometimes babies make it difficult to get clear images. Here are a few tips to help your baby get into a better position.
Further tests may be recommended if an anatomy scan of the pregnancy shows something is wrong. You can discuss it with your healthcare provider and decide if you want to go ahead with it.
Drink plenty of water, wear comfortable clothing, bring all your medical documents, and be prepared to spend some time at the hospital, as the scan may take time.
Yes. Unlike other scans, an anomaly scan does not need to be done on an empty stomach.
No. There is no need to have an empty stomach. Also, there is no requirement for the bladder to be full for this scan.
Lie on the left side to improve blood flow to the placenta, apply light pressure and do a gentle massage, have a sweet treat or lie on all fours and move forward to bring the baby to the correct position for an anomaly scan.
