Understanding your Babies Ultrasound scan - part 1

Most parents look forward to their scan because it gives you the first glimpse of your baby. The person who carries out your scan (sonographer) will probably give you a printout of your baby as a keepsake. Abbreviated medical words such as BPD are often used to describe your babies growth and development. Here we provide you with an understanding of frequently used terms used on your ultrasound report.

Common Anatomical sayings - things you may hear during the scan and what they mean

• Corpus luteum
  A fluid-filled "pocket" or cyst which forms on the ovary where the egg has been released to start the pregnancy
• Uterus
  The womb
• Cervix
  The Birth canal - lies at the neck (bottom) of the womb
• Gestation sac
  The fluid-filled sack inside the womb where the baby forms
• Embryo
  Used only in the first few weeks of pregnancy to describe the bundle of cells that become the baby
• Fetal pole
  An Ultrasound term to describe the embryo - the first signs of a baby on scan
• Yolk sac
  A tiny "balloon-like" structure, seen at the same time as the "Fetal Pole" which feeds the baby until the "placenta" forms. Usually seen between 6 and 11weeks.
• Fetus/foetus
  Another word for the Baby. Term used from 10weeks onwards
• Placenta
  The After-birth. Feeds baby through the cord and filters any impurities, such as alcohol, toxins, from the baby.
• Placenta praevia
  When the afterbirth (placenta) lies partly or completely over the birth canal (cervix) i.e. would be delivered 'before'(praevia) the baby during a normal delivery. It is important to note that a "low placenta" at the 20weeks scan does not always develop into placenta praevia.
• Liquor
  The name given to the fluid the baby swims around in. May be pronounced "lykor" or "lykwor".
• FHB
  Stands for Fetal Heart Beat. The first sign of life.
• Malpresentation
  Blanket term for the baby lying any way except head down (usually towards the due date), such as Breech (bottom or feet first), Transverse (side to side), Oblique(angled across).
• Caesarean Section (LSCS)
  If, for any reason the baby cannot be delivered normally, (position, size, placental site, long labour, distress) then an operation has to be performed to remove baby through the front of the mother's tummy.