Ultrasound Baby Scans

Early Dating Scan (6–10 weeks)

The purpose of an Early Dating Scan is to:

• Confirm that your baby is developing normally in the first trimester of pregnancy
• Date your pregnancy in order to estimate when your baby is due
• Reveal if you are carrying one baby, twins or more
• Detect your baby’s heartbeat
• Rule out the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy
• Confirm that the baby is developing in the correct place within the uterus
• An Early Dating Scan is particularly beneficial if you have previously miscarried or experienced bleeding. Depending on the position of your uterus, a trans-vaginal scan may be required.

Nuchal Scan (11–13 weeks)

• The purpose of a Nuchal Scan is to:
• Allow the sonographer to measure the volume of translucent fluid in the space behind your baby’s neck
• Estimate your baby’s risk of having chromosomal abnormalities such as Downs Syndrome, Edwards, Patau and Turner Syndrome
• Determine whether more invasive diagnostic testing, such as CVS or Amniocentesis is necessary
• Examine your baby’s heart in greater detail
• Determine your baby’s sex (in around 70% of cases)

A routine blood test is also taken during this scan. For more information on Amniocentesis or CVS please see:

• Amnio Information
• CVS Information

Anomaly Scan (17–24 weeks)

The purpose of an Anomaly Scan is to:

• Check that your baby is developing normally at the mid pregnancy stage
• Look at where the placenta is lying in your uterus
• Take various measurements to make sure that your baby’s growth is on track
• Check all your baby’s body parts for conditions such as cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, and any abnormalities of the brain, heart and other organs
• Determine your baby’s sex if it couldn’t be determined during the nuchal scan

An Anomaly Scan is a wonderful event as it allows you to see your baby’s face, limbs, hands, feet and heartbeat for the first time.

Wellbeing Growth Scan (24–42 weeks)

• The purpose of a Wellbeing Growth Scan is to:
• Determine the growth and health of the baby by taking body measurements and estimating his / her weight
• Measure the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby
• Assess the blood flow from the placenta to your baby by Doppler ultrasound
• Assess the position in which your baby is lying in the womb, i.e. posterior or breech
• Check the placental position and appearance
• Examine the movements of the baby