Early pregnancy ultrasound scanning

An early pregnancy scan can put your mind at rest

Early ultrasound pregnancy scanning allows us to take a detailed look at the internal anatomy of the baby to check for abnormalities and assess fetal growth and wellbeing.

It is only natural to be curious and concerned about pregnancy and Early pregnancy scans can give you peace of mind. Early Pregnancy Scans can determine the actual due date of the baby, brain and spinal cord development, growth and the likelihood of any birth defects.

Please contact us to make an appointment for an Early Pregnancy Scan

Additional important information that will be available at the various stages of pregnancy is summarised below:

11 – 14 Weeks – an 85% detection rate for Downs Syndrome

Measuring the foetus from top to bottom (crown to rump length (CRL)) will provide an accurate assessment of gestational age and an estimated time of delivery.

We also carry out screening for Downs Syndrome by:

• Measurement of Nuchal Translucency (i.e. the fluid behind the fetal neck)
• Biochemical measurement of PAPP A and Free-Beta HCG in the mother’s blood

By combining the nuchal scan and blood test, we can determine an individual assessment of your risk of having a Downs Syndrome baby. We can compare your ‘starting risk’, based on your age, with the ‘new risk’ – which will help you decide if you want an invasive test such as CVS and Amniocentesis. If the risk of Down's is 1:250 or greater, an invasive test is advised.

The combination of these should give an 85% detection rate for Down Syndrome. Other recent markers for Down Syndrome, such as nasal bone identification and blood flow in the Ductus Venosus, may also be performed depending on the particular clinical circumstances.

18 – 22 Weeks – detection of the large majority of anatomical abnormalities

As this stage, a detailed scan is performed which will detect the large majority of serious fetal anatomical abnormalities.

Images of the baby's brain, spine, heart, diaphragm, kidneys, bladder, genitalia, limbs, fingers & toes can be seen in some detail with ultrasound. Also at this time, blood flow in the uterine arteries is measured using Doppler ultrasound. This can predict whether the placenta will function normally or (if blood flow is impaired) whether the baby's growth will be affected or high blood pressure will develop in the mother (pre-eclampsia).

In women at risk of premature labour, the length of the cervix can be measured using transvaginal ultrasound (an internal scan): a short cervix indicates an increased risk of early delivery.

Scan 26 weeks onwards – prediction of the baby’s likely birth weight

An assessment of baby's growth and anatomy will be performed at the time of the 4D scan.

Measurements of the fetal head, body and upper leg (femur) will be plotted on a graph to show the rate of growth of the baby. Blood flow in the baby's Umbilical Cord and mother's Uterine Arteries will indicate if the placenta is functioning normally. If placental blood flow is normal then an estimated prediction of the likely birth weight can be given.

Please contact us to make an appointment for an Early Pregnancy Scan