Early Pregnancy Scans (6-11 Weeks)
Early pregancy scan,This scan is best performed transvaginally, although a transabdominal examination can be performed at the patient’s request. The scan is usually performed for a specific indication such as pain or bleeding in early pregnancy, to confirm multiple pregnancy in patients who have had fertility treatment or to confirm early viability in women who have previously had a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy.
Confirm the diagnosis and viability of a pregnancy Confirm the gestational age by measurement of the crown rump length Exclude an ectopic pregnancy Diagnose a multiple pregnancy. This is the best gestation to determine whether or not the twins share a placenta
Services
ULTRASOUND SCANS Infertility, Follicular Study, Obstetrics, Viability, NT, First Trimester Screening, Anomaly, Target, Fetal Echo, Growth, Doppler, Gynaecology, Pelvic Scan to detect abnormalities, General, KUB, Abdomen.
Confirm the diagnosis and viability of a pregnancy
Confirm the gestational age by measurement of the crown rump length
Exclude an ectopic pregnancy
THE 11-13+6 WEEK (“The Nuchal Translucency”) SCAN
This provides important information about your pregnancy. It is usually performed transabdominally but occasionally a transvaginal scan will be required to provide all the information. This may be present in up to 2% of pregnancies at this gestation, and is even more common if ovulation induction has been undertaken. This is the best gestation to determine whether or not twins share a placenta (chorionicity) which has a major impact on the management of the pregnancy.
Although most babies are normal, all mothers have a risk of having a baby with a chromosomal anomaly including Down syndrome. Measurement of the nuchal translucency (i.e fluid behind the neck of the baby), together with knowledge of the mother’s age and measurement of the maternal hormones BhCG and PAPP-A will allow estimation of the mother’s individual risk. Mothers with a high predicted risk (usually 1:300 or greater) may then decide if they wish to have diagnostic testing (amniocentesis or chorion villus sampling).
Confirm the viability of a pregnancy
Confirm the gestational age
Diagnose multiple pregnancy
To screen for chromosomal abnormalities (combined nuchal-biochemistry test)
The 20-23 Week Scan (Fetal Anomaly Scan)
This scan is performed transabdominally. It will confirm that the vast majority of pregnancies are developing normally. However, about 1% of all fetuses will have a serious congenital abnormality and ultrasound examination at this stage will detect about 70% of these. In addition, screening tests for the later development of high blood pressure (pre-eclampsia), placental insufficiency, poor fetal growth or intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and premature labor can be performed. Detailed inspection of every organ and part of the fetal anatomy is performed, including the fetal brain, spine, heart, lungs, kidneys, bowel and bladder, limbs, fingers and toes.
These conditions are caused by poor inversion of the placenta into the wall of the uterus. Prediction of the possible development of these problems can be made by performing Doppler examination of blood flow in the uterine arteries.About 50% of cases of spontaneous delivery before 34 weeks are associated with shortening of the cervix. Ultrasound assessment of the cervix can be performed at this assessment, usually transvaginally.Although rare, we advocate screening for this abnormality. If your pregnancy is at increased risk or sub-optimal, views are obtained on ultrasound for technical reasons, we would recommend detailed cardiac scanning by a fetal cardiologist.
Pre-eclampsia and IUGR
Premature labor
Cardiac defects
Fetal Growth and Well-being Scan (>24 WEEKS)
The assessment of fetal well-being from 24 weeks involves the study of several different parameters. Fetal growth is determined by measurement of the head, abdomen and femur length. It is then possible to estimate fetal weight which may be compared with the expected growth for that gestation.
color flow Doppler to assess fetal blood flow and maternal blood flow in the uterine arteries is a sensitive marker of the health of the pregnancy. In some cases, detailed assessment of the fetal blood vessels may be recommended by your consultant. The position of the placenta in relation to the cervix is checked to exclude a placenta praevia. If the placenta was found to be “low lying” at your 20 week scan, your consultant will usually advise such a scan.
Maternal disease such as diabetes, hypertension or cardiac disease
Multiple pregnancy Previous small babies or complicated pregnancy
Suspected breech presentation