Anomaly Scan | 20 Week Scan

20 to 24 weeks of Pregnancy

Sometimes known as a Fetal Anatomy Scan or 20 Week Scan this is usually the second chance for our Sonographer or Obstetrician to examine how your baby is growing.

At this stage your baby can be seen in its infant form and is the time at which most parents really start to relate to their unborn child via the screen.

During the appointment our sonographer will:

• Show your baby’s heart beating and check the rate
• Check growth by measuring the head, waist and thigh bone (femur) of your baby
• Look at your placenta and the amount of fluid around your baby
• Examine the structure of your baby’s organs in detail

All the measurements and images will be digitally transferred to our Fetal Database for analysis.

You will receive a comprehensive medical report detailing the health, growth and well being of your baby. A separate copy will be forwarded to your GP/Midwife/Obstetrician.

Many Consultants prefer that the examination of your baby should be performed later so that extra information can be obtained.

All the tasks outlined above in the 20 week Scan are performed as well as some additional tests which only become meaningful at this time.

These additional features are:

• Blood flow from the mother to the uterus (uterine artery Doppler) is checked. This gives early warning about the possibility of bleeding in later pregnancy, blood pressure complications (pre eclampsia) or the possibility of a slowing in your baby’s growth later in the pregnancy.
• An internal scan is performed to measure the length of the neck of the womb (the cervix). A shortened cervix increases the chance of the mother going into labour before your baby’s due date.

Should any fetal anomalies be detected by our sonographer during the Fetal Anomaly Scan you may be asked to return and see one of our Fetal Medicine Specialists.

The Consultant may decide that your pregnancy needs to be monitored more frequently by attending for regular Fetal Welfare Scans, or if Post Natal care is required you may be referred on to one of our trusted specialist doctors.

For bookings information and prices please see our Prices page.

What is my next scan?

The next scans you may expect in your pregnancy are Welfare Scans.