Why should I take the test?💡

Sometime between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation, the 20-week-anatomy scan is a great way to sneak peak how your baby is growing. It will be fun to take home a little souvenir from the hospital and laugh at it together when your baby is all grown up. 

If you have a special condition that needs to be monitored, you may have more ultrasound appointments with your doctor. Congratulations, you are halfway there! All moms-to-be should get an ultrasound anatomy as this one is more detailed and contains more valuable information about what's going on with your baby. 

How is the test done?💉

Before your appointment, you should drink water to have a full bladder so that you can have the best ultrasound image. When it's time, you will lie down on an exam table with your tummy exposed. A sonographer applies gel on your belly and starts moving a transducer around. 

The high frequency sound waves of the ultrasound generates a moving picture of your baby. You will be able to spot your baby's beating heart, the face, arms and legs. How sweet it is to listen to the rhythm of your baby's heartbeat? 

TMI from Baby Billy👩‍⚕️:

What can the 20-week anatomy scan tell you?

Not just a merely moving picture of your little angel, the scan can measure your baby's size and check the development of all major organs. The baby's height is estimated and all four chambers of the heart are carefully identified. Other organs such as kidneys, stomach, bladder, diaphragm, genitals are also measured. 

A level 2 scan also checks for markers of genetic disorders. However, very few babies showing soft markers such as choroid plexus cyst, echogenic foci end up having chromosomal abnormalities. It is still a good indicator for follow-up testing if necessary.

Are you curious about your baby's sex? The ultrasound can tell the sex of your baby if you have not found out through NIPT or CVS test. It also pinpoints the amount of amniotic fluid and the location of placenta to make sure everything is normal.

Risks of the procedure

The 20-week ultrasound is one of the biggest and most important appointments of your pregnancy. There are no significant risks associated with the scan. You will get a glimpse of your little one's precious baby. It can also be the first official greeting between you and your little angel!