First trimester scan (around 12 weeks)
You will be offered a scan at around 12 weeks to determine when your baby is due and how many babies you are carrying. The sonographer will take a number of measurements to calculate your due date. As part of this scan, you will be offered screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. This involves taking an extra measurement of the back of the baby’s neck called nuchal translucency. This measurement, together with a blood test, are used to calculate the chance of your baby potentially being affected by one of these conditions.
It is completely your decision if you wish to have this screening. Further information can be found in the Public Health England leaflet Screening tests for you and your baby (see above), or you can contact the screening team on the contact number given above.
If you have decided to have screening for Down’s syndrome, and/or Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome, you will receive your results in the following way:
- ‘Increased’ chance (risk) – you will receive a telephone call from a member of the screening team inviting you to see them to discuss your options. This will usually be within seven days of you having your scan and blood test.
- ‘Low’ chance (risk) – you will receive a letter confirming your screening test results within two weeks of you having your scan and blood test.
If you have not received your results within two weeks, please contact the screening team on the contact numbers given above. It is important to remember that this result does not mean that your baby is or is not affected. It merely gives you an indication of the likelihood. Further tests are needed to give a definite diagnosis, and this will be explained further by the screening team should the need arise.
Mid trimester scan (around 20 weeks)
This checks on how your baby is developing and looks in detail at various things including their brain, head, heart and limbs. Its purpose is not to tell you if you are having a girl or boy, although this may sometimes be possible. Sometimes, it might not be possible to get all the necessary measurements or a clear picture of some structures due to the position of the baby. If this happens, the sonographer may ask you to return on another day for a repeat scan.
Important things to remember about scans
- Please attend for any scan with a full bladder. This makes scanning easier as it lifts the baby up out of your pelvis.
- Only one other person is allowed into the scan room with you (please see advice on lateral flow testing prior to your appointment).
- No children are allowed into the department at present due to COVID-19.
- You can purchase a picture of your scan for £5 on the day, just let the sonographer know.
- If we find anything abnormal or of concern on your scan, we will always tell you about it and arrange appropriate follow-up.
- You may have other scans at different points in your pregnancy as deemed necessary by your midwife or consultant, but these will be explained to you if the need arises.