Medically Reviewed by Dr. Deepthi Jammi (MS – OB/GYN – Fetal Medicine Specialist)
What is NT Scan?
Nuchal Translucency scan (NT Scan) is a first trimester ultrasound performed between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
This scan measures the nuchal translucency thickness behind the baby’s neck to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome and Patau syndrome.
Does NT scan depend on baby position?
Yes, in order for the test results to be accurate, the baby needs to be in the right position.
When the baby’s neck is not in the right position or is extended, there could be a spike of about 0.6mm that can sink up to 0.4 mm when the neck is flaxseed.
This defeats the whole purpose of the NT scan. So yes, the baby’s position is really important when doing an NT scan
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What should be the baby’s position for NT Scan?
The fetus’s neck and spine should be aligned, and hence the position of the baby should be neutral.
If the baby’s position isn’t clear, your doctor might ask you to wait a few minutes for it to change.
What happens if the baby is not in the right position during NT Scan?
If the baby is not in the right position during the NT scan, the doctor may not be able to measure the required parameters accurately and may not be able to provide comprehensive results immediately.
This is because, during the NT scan, doctors measure the nuchal translucency, the fluid behind the baby’s neck, along with other important parameters including the baby’s heartbeat, spine, nasal bone, and CRL (Crown-Rump Length).
For these measurements, the baby needs to be in a suitable position so the doctor can get a clear view.
Hence, the baby’s position during the NT scan is very important.
In such cases, you will be asked to:
- Wait for a few minutes and repeat the scan
- Walk for sometime to help change baby’s position
- Come for a repeat scan after a day or two if the baby’s position is still not ideal.
How can I change my baby’s position during an NT scan?
If the doctor asks you to wait a few minutes as the baby’s position isn’t clear enough to take the scan, you can try
- Emptying your bladder completely
- Walk for a bit.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Try lying on your side and going for a rescan.
What foods make babies move?
- Babies love sweet treats while still in the tummy. So have a small piece of chocolate to make the baby move.
- You can also drink half a cup of coffee, as caffeine intake makes the baby move.
- Listen to some music. Babies do react to sound and might actually change position.
- Lie down on your back for a few minutes, as the baby might have slept during the scan, and lying down on your back can help wake them up.
Also check the Secrets to Change Baby’s Position for Anomaly Scan
