Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy
Dating Scans
Both the Ultrasound and Outpatient department provide a dating scans which can confirm an intrauterine pregnancy and can confirm the estimated due date.
This is usually performed between 11-14 weeks, however you may be referred earlier by your GP if you have had a previous miscarriage/pregnancy complications to have this scan earlier than 11 weeks.
You will need a full bladder for this scan.
In early pregnancy, your womb can be quite small and lies quite low in the pelvis. A full bladder helps to push the womb upwards
Ultrasound Scanning Later in Pregnancy
Other than an anomaly scan (’20-22 Week’ scan), another routine ultrasound scan appointment will not be made unless there is a clinical indication.
This includes:
- Pains
- Vaginal bleeding in pregnancy
- Reduced fetal movements
- High blood pressure
- Low-lying placenta
- Pre-existing medical condition
- Maternal conditions such as obesity or advanced maternal age
- Past obstetric history
- Concerns regarding the health of your baby
- Concern about the baby’s position >36 weeks
- If you are overdue.
This follow-up ultrasound scan can be performed to examine the growth of your baby, the amniotic fluid, position of baby and the placenta (afterbirth).
If there is concern regarding the development of your baby, you will be referred to a fetal medicine specialist for further assessment.
If your baby is small for gestational age you may have increased surveillance and attend for frequent scans to check the growth of your baby.
If you have a low lying placenta you will have a follow-up scan at 34 weeks to identify the location of the placenta. You will require a full bladder for this scan. If the position of the placenta is unclear on the abdominal scan, then a transvaginal scan will be performed.
If your baby is in a breech position at 37 weeks you will be referred to the Breech Clinic for an ultrasound scan and review by a registrar and may have an external cephalic version (ECV).
If there is concern regarding fetal movements at/after 28 weeks gestation you will have a cardiotocograph (CTG) to assess the baby’s wellbeing, and you may have a scan also.