Understanding your Babies Ultrasound scan - part 3

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.

Types of Scan

• Viability Scan
  Very early scan 5 - 8weeks to establish that there is a pregnancy, that it is in the womb not outside (ectopic), and that there is a heartbeat.
• Dating Scan
  Scan at 6 - 12 weeks to pinpoint the expected birth date.
• Nuchal Translucency Scan
  See under Measurements and Tests.
• Fetal Wellbeing scan
  Scan during the later stages of pregnancy to check that baby is developing normally.
• Detailed Anatomy scan
  Scan at 20 weeks to check all the baby's vital organs for normality. Dates are also rechecked by BPD;HC;(AC);FL measurements. Position of placenta (afterbirth) is noted.
• Bonding Scan
  Scan at any stage during the pregnancy, usually done in a private clinic or studio, when parents can spend time with their baby away from the hospital environment, and take away pictures and/or recordings of the scan. www.babybond.com
• Growth Assessment
  Scan usually between 26 - 36 weeks to check that the baby is growing at the expected rate. A full set of measurements is done and the fluid volume assessed.
• Biophysical profile
  Scan in the later stages of pregnancy, usually after 30weeks, to check babies that are giving concern. The scan takes longer than a Growth Assessment because, as well as measurements of baby, the fluid is measured and the blood flow through the umbilical cord. Also the number of baby movements over time is counted.
• Presentation
  Scan towards the end of the pregnancy when it is difficult to feel the position of the baby, or if the Midwife or Obstetrician suspects the baby may be other than head first.
• 2D
  This is the "normal" scan as done in every ante-natal scan department with a black and white picture on-screen. This shows "through" the baby and allows us to examine the internal organs (Heart, Liver, Kidneys etc) and to look at the placenta (afterbirth).
• 3D
  This gives a still picture of the surface of the baby allowing a detailed view of such things as the baby's face. It gives a more "life-like" picture. It can be used to show details of such problems as cleft lip and palate (hare-lip) to allow parents to come to terms with the way baby will look at birth. It is also being used more extensively for detailed examinations of baby's heart.
• 4D
  This is the same as 3D but gives a moving picture of the baby (the fourth dimension is time) and allows you to see your baby as a real little person moving inside you.
• Doppler
  This is a special type of ultrasound that allows us to see and hear the flow of blood through a blood-vessel. It lets us assess the flow from mother to baby through the cord.
• Gender/ sexing scan
  Scan performed at any stage of pregnancy from 16 weeks onwards to determine whether the baby is a boy or a girl. It is important to note that NHS departments do not generally offer a "sexing" service. Some may look for the sex during other routine scans, other hospitals have a strict "no sexing" policy. You need to check with your own hospital.