An anomaly scan that takes a close look at the fetus and uterus around the 20th week of pregnancy. This ultrasound examines the growth of the fetus’s organs and body parts and can detect some congenital defects. In most cases, the gender of the fetus can also be determined.

What does an anomaly ultrasound check?

During this ultrasound, every part of the fetus’s body Is examined, the position of the placenta is determined, the amount of amniotic fluid Is assessed, and the growth of the fetus is measured. Special attention is also given to the brain, face, spine, heart, stomach, intestines, kidneys, and limbs. The main purpose of the anomaly scan Is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the pregnancy and to Identify the presence of certain conditions, including those affecting the brain, spine, and heart. You can also request to know the baby’s gender during this ultrasound.

In case of detecting any abnormalities, the significance of the findings Is taken Into consideration by the doctor.

Anomaly ultrasound is performed transabdominally, meaning from the abdomen.

Why should I have an anomaly ultrasound?

This is a detailed and important ultrasound that is performed to examine every part of the fetus’s body and to check for any abnormalities.

How should I prepare for the anomaly ultrasound?

There isn’t much work to prepare for this ultrasound. It only takes about 45 minutes for the ultrasound. Some healthcare providers recommend drinking fluids or having a full bladder to make it easier to see the Images and increase the likelihood of fetal movement.

How to perform an anomaly ultrasound

First, you lie down on the bed. Then, an ultrasonic gel Is spread on your abdomen. Next, a sonographer moves a sonography probe over various points on you’re abdomen. You can see the fetus on a screen, which is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. If the fetus Is positioned in a way that makes measurements difficult, the doctor may ask you to move a bit or drink a sweet beverage to get the fetus to move.

Does the ultrasound at twenty weeks determine the gender of the fetus?

Yes, your fetus’s external genitalia have developed enough to determine Its gender. Depending on the position of the fetus, your ultrasound technician may be able to see the genitalia. There Is a slight chance that the fetus may not be in a suitable position, and the ultrasound technician may not be able to obtain a clear Image of its genitalia.

Is an anomaly ultrasound harmful?

No, having an ultrasound at 20 weeks is safe. Studies have shown that ultrasound Is not dangerous for you or the fetus. Instead, this ultrasound Is medically essential for detecting potential life-altering abnormalities in the baby.

Results and follow-up of the anomaly ultrasound

Anomaly ultrasound is usually a positive experience. In most cases, your healthcare provider does not find any major abnormalities. If a defect Is found, the doctor may recommend additional prenatal tests or treatments for the condition identified during the ultrasound.

What conditions and diseases can an anomaly ultrasound detect?

This ultrasound does not detect all congenital diseases. However, this ultrasound can help diagnose several serious conditions, including the following:

Encephalitis

Indicators of Down syndrome or trisomy 18 and trisomy 13

Cleft lip and palate

Spina bifida: Congenital vertebral cleft, either open or hidden

Congenital heart defects

Renal agenesis (absence of one or both kidneys)

Gastroschisis: Gastroschisis is a type of congenital defect.

Omphalocele: also known as exomphalos, is a type of abdominal wall defect In which the intestines, liver, and sometimes other organs remain outside the abdomen in a sac.

Skeletal dysplasia: It includes a group of rare genetic disorders that affect the growth of bones and cartilage, leading to disproportionate skeletal growth.

Diaphragmatic hernia: A defect or hole In the diaphragm present at birth that allows abdominal contents to move into the chest cavity.

It is important to note that scan results are not a formal diagnosis of any disease. Instead, they usually Indicate that further tests are needed.

There are some conditions that you won’t be aware of until your baby is born. For example, many heart abnormalities do not become apparent until birth, and you might not know, for instance, whether your child has scoliosis or not.

Do I need more tests or ultrasounds?

If the doctor suspects a condition, they may recommend further tests. Some of these tests could include amniocentesis, chorionic villus sampling, or additional ultrasound with a perinatologist.