Who will do the scan?
Depending on which stage of pregnancy they are done at, ultrasound scans can: Check your baby has a heartbeat Say whether you are pregnant with one baby or more Detect an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants outside of the womb, usually in the Fallopian tube. Find out the cause of any bleeding you may be having Accurately date your pregnancy by measuring your baby Assess the risk of Down’s syndrome by measuring fluid at the back of your baby’s neck at 11-14 weeks (what’s called the nuchal translucency scan). Find out why a blood screening test was abnormal Assist in performing diagnostic tests, such as CVS or amniocentesis safely by showing the position of the baby and placenta. Examine your baby to see if all the organs have developed normally Diagnose certain abnormalities, such as spina bifida Assess the amount of amniotic fluid you have and locate the placenta. Measure your baby’s rate of growth over several scans.
The person who carries out the scan is called a Radiographer, who will explain the procedure to you and show you how to position yourself. It is important that you lie still for the whole time while the pictures are being taken. Your scan will be examined by the Radiologist, who will interpret the pictures and prepare a report for your doctor. That is why you have to wait a few days for the result.
