What is the best time for an anomaly scan?

What is an anomaly scan?

Your 20-week ultrasound also called an anomaly scan, is an important tool for monitoring your baby’s physical development and detecting any potential congenital disorders. The best week for anomaly scans is between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.

During the ultrasound, the sonographer will take images of your baby inside the womb using 2D, 3D, or even 4D technology. They will also take measurements to ensure that your baby is growing at the appropriate rate for their age.

What can you expect during an anomaly scan?

When you go to get an anomaly scan, you will begin by lying down on the examination table. Then, a layer of ultrasonic gel will be applied to your abdomen. Next, an ultrasound technician will scan different areas of your stomach with a wand-like device.

They will take images and measurements of certain organs and body parts by freezing the screen. You may also see them draw lines to measure the length of your baby’s limbs or the circumference of your baby’s head.

This helps them assess your baby’s size for its gestational age. You will get to watch your baby on a monitor, one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy.

If your baby is positioned in a way that makes it difficult to take measurements, the technician might ask you to move around or drink something to make your baby move. Your ultrasound technician will take pictures of your baby during the ultrasound.

They may be quiet as they work, but don’t worry if they’re not chatting with you. The results will be discussed with you by your obstetrician either right after the ultrasound or at a follow-up appointment soon.

Once all the images have been taken, and your ultrasound technician is happy with everything, you can wipe the gel off your stomach. Leave some space on your fridge: Most ultrasound technicians will give you a few pictures of your baby to take home as a keepsake.

What can we detect during an anomaly scan?

An ultrasound 20 weeks into your pregnancy will give your healthcare provider an idea of how your baby is developing. This includes looking at the organs and body parts to see if they are growing as expected, as well as checking for any congenital anomalies or structural issues.

During the ultrasound, your provider will specifically examine:

Your baby’s heart
The brain, neck, and spine
The kidneys and bladder
Arms and legs
Hands, fingers, feet, and toes
Lips, chin, nose, eyes, face, etc.

The sonographers will also do things such as

Listening to your baby’s heart rate for abnormal rhythms
Checking the umbilical cord for blood flow and where it attaches to the placenta
Looking at the placenta to make sure it’s not covering the cervix (placenta previa)
Checking uterus, ovaries, and cervix
Measuring the amount of amniotic fluid

Several images are taken during this ultrasound. You will see them draw lines on the screen which acts as a ruler, documenting the sizes of organs and limbs. They compare these measurements against your due date. In some cases, you might hear you are measuring ahead, on track, or behind the due date.

Is 19 weeks too early for an anomaly scan?

No, the anomaly scan is also called the Second Trimester Fetal Development Anomaly Scan, which basically means you can get this scan done during the second half of your second trimester i.e between 18-22 weeks.

Is 22 weeks too late for an anomaly scan?

The answer is no, it’s not. Even though it’s usually recommended that you take it earlier.

Can you take an anomaly scan after 24 weeks?

No, it is not generally recommended. But please check with your doctor.