Antenatal Ultrasound

AntenatalUltrasound.co.uk has been designed and developed by Sarah Leigh and the team at Designer Email Ltd.

The antenatal ultrasound network of websites was created to enable expectant mums to find an ultrasound clinic that was neardby so limiting travelling time. This is the first of many online networks of websites being developed for mums.

Sarah is an Internet entrepreneur that has been developing website portals since the early 1990's and was one of the UKs first domain name traders. This website portal is exceptional in the fact that it has been developed for the sole purpose of enabling antenatal ultrasound clinics across the United Kingdom to be found on the Internet in a single place.

Designer Email Ltd under the leadership of Sarah have created many online brands such as studentmentoring.com, Global School Connections and Reading Partners.

Antenatal ULtrasound Information Continued......

When do I have my scans during pregnancy?

It is recommended that pregnant women have a dating scan in the first trimester usually between 10 and 13 weeks of pregnancy to confirm your dates. This is very important if you are going to have any screening tests for Down’s syndrome, as knowing the exact dates makes sure your results are accurate.

If there is any need to check the viability of your pregnancy In the very early stages you may need to have an earlier scan at 6 or 7 weeks.

You will normally have a scan during your second trimester at around 20 weeks to check your baby’s development.

Growth scans are sometimes required in the third trimester if you have had a previous baby that was small, if you are having twins or when there are other complications with the pregnancy. Sometimes your midwife may suggest a growth scan if the baby feels and measures smaller or larger than expected.

Do I have to Have Ultrasound Scans?

Although scans are not compulsory the vast majority of women in the UK have at least one scan during pregnancy. Scans will provide you with useful and reliable information about your pregnancy, and most women find then enjoyable and reassuring.

What if the scan shows a problem?

If a scan suggests that there is a problem with your baby you will naturally be very worried. Sometimes a definite diagnosis can be made from the scan such as Spina Bifida. In other cases the scan may show minor changes, known as ‘markers’, which may be a sign of a more serious problem, such as Down’s syndrome, or may turn out to be just a variation of normal.

If something unusual is found during your scan the sonographer will refer you to a Doctor immediately who will refer you to a Fetal Medicine specialist, if necessary. It may be necessary for further tests to be performed.

Is it safe?

Ultrasound scans have been used during pregnancy for over 30 years and medical research has found no side effects. There has been no association shown between ultrasound exposure and the baby’s birth weight, childhood leukaemias, or other cancers, eyesight, hearing or dyslexia. Even so most experts agree that the procedure shouldn’t be done without clear medical reasons, and that all ultrasound exposure should be justified and limited to the minimum needed to make a diagnosis.

First Trimester Ultrasound Scans.

During your first trimester there are two types of scan that are performed. These are:

Dating Scan

Nuchal Translucency Scan

Having a scan in the first few weeks of pregnancy can be thrilling experience. It is a wonderful thing to see a little blob with a heartbeat that will become your baby.

Dating Scan (10-14 weeks)

All pregnant women will be offered a dating scan at 10-14 weeks of pregnancy.

This scan is recommended before you have a screening test for Down’s syndrome, because having an accurate due date makes the test more reliable. This is because the hormones measured in the blood test vary at different stages of the pregnancy, so what might be normal at 14 weeks would not be normal at 16 weeks.

If the blood test is taken too early because your dates are wrong then you may get a false positive, which is when you are given a higher risk factor when really there is nothing wrong.