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Women are offered ultrasound examinations ('scans’) during their pregnancy because they are useful for dating the pregnancy (providing an estimated date of delivery), to see if you are having more than one baby and also for detecting some problems.

 

As with all tests offered, it is your choice whether or not to undergo a scan. Your partner is welcome to join you in the scan room; however, other relatives and small children might be asked to stay in the waiting area.

 

Finding the clinic

…from the Addenbrooke’s Treatment Centre (ATC) 

 

Enter the ATC through the revolving doors. Turn left and walk along the corridor until you see a slope on your right. Walk up the slope and through the double doors. You are now on Level 2 of the Rosie. Please use the stairs or take the lifts to Level 1.

 

 

...from the main entrance

 

From the main hospital entrance turn right into the main concourse. Follow signs towards the Addenbrooke's Treatment Centre and the Rosie Maternity Hospital. Walk straight along the 'Clown' corridor until you reach a left turn which is signposted 'Rosie'. Follow this corridor up the ramp until you see lifts on the right hand side.

 

Parking information

 

Visitors should park in the Rosie car park or the main hospital car park.

 

See the Finding us section for more travel information.

 

 

The Early Scan ('Dating Scan’)

This scan is usually carried out between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy for the following reasons:

• to check when the baby is due (see below)
  
  
• to see if you are expecting more than one baby.
  
  
• to confirm the baby’s heart is beating.
  
  
• to detect problems of development that can sometimes be seen at this early stage.
  
  
• to detect other problems such as ovarian cysts in the mother.
  
  

The due date

The early scan helps us to work out the date your baby is due, and we might suggest a different date from that indicated by your periods. It is important to know your final due date if you decide to have the maternal serum screening test, and for your care later in pregnancy.

Number of babies

Most families would like to know if twins are expected, to help them to plan ahead, and it will also help us to plan your care appropriately.

Further scans

In early pregnancy, it can be difficult to determine if the pregnancy is healthy, because we are looking for very small structures that may be difficult to see. If this is the case, you will then be asked to return after two weeks for another scan. Occasionally, during the scan, a miscarriage might be diagnosed even though you might still 'feel pregnant'. In this case, the sonographer (the person who does the scan) will discuss the scan findings with you and arrange for a doctor to see you.

The 20-week scan ('Anomaly Scan’)

This scan is carried out in order to:

• look for any abnormalities in the baby’s structural development (see below).
  
  
• look for markers (see below).
  
  
• check the placental position.
  
  

Abnormalities

For the majority of women, the 20-week scan is a reassuring and memorable experience, but sometimes problems are found. Whenever a problem is detected you will be told, and we will arrange for you to see a doctor at the earliest opportunity.

 

Markers

Occasionally, the 20-week scan can identify features in the baby known as 'markers’. These are usually of little significance, but they may indicate that the risk of a chromosome abnormality (such as Down’s syndrome) is slightly increased. Further diagnostic tests (such as amniocentesis) might be offered.

Some findings will resolve themselves, and may not be significant. Others can forewarn of problems that would otherwise not be detected until birth, or even infancy. Some information can cause considerable anxiety and can lead parents to consider termination of the pregnancy. It must be remembered that a normal scan does not guarantee fetal health and well being. Only some abnormalities are detected by scan, others do not develop until later and are difficult to detect.

 

Uterine Artery Doppler Scan

This is a scan which measures the blood flow from your uterus (womb), to the placenta. This blood flow measurement helps us to predict how well the placenta will function towards the end of pregnancy. If the uterine Artery Doppler shows that the placenta may not work so well towards the end of pregnancy we will monitor you and the baby closely throughout the pregnancy.

 

Scan photo

We are able to sell you a print of the scan picture (ask us for current prices). It is the policy of the Department not to allow videos into the scan room.
36-week scan:

If the placenta is very low-lying, we will ask you to return at 36 weeks to check the position again. If it is still low, we will arrange for you to see a doctor. Normally, the placenta will move away from the lower part of the uterus as pregnancy progresses.

Growth scans

If your doctor or midwife is concerned about the baby’s growth, or if there are other reasons to check the baby later in the pregnancy, an additional scan will be arranged. At this time, the sonographer will measure the baby’s size, the fluid around the baby and, in certain circumstances, the blood flow through the baby’s umbilical cord.

The scan findings will be recorded in the notes you carry. If you have any queries either during the scan or afterwards, please ask, as we would wish to resolve your anxieties as soon as possible.

If any abnormalities are detected on the ultrasound examination we will discuss these with you and arrange for you to be referred to be seen by one of the Fetal Medicine Consultants.

 

We have an Antenatal Diagnostic Counsellor who is available to discuss the findings of the tests and to provide support for you and your family. The counsellor can be contacted Mon–Fri: 0800–1600

 

Tel: 01223 217 621

 

 

 

 

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