Ultrasounds are essential to pregnancy, enabling your doctor to see how the baby is developing and any issues that arise during gestation. The 20-week ultrasound is especially exciting, because you can find out if you're having a boy or a girl.
Although the anatomy scan brings a lot of emotions, it's important to know what to expect before, during, and after the ultrasound. During this scan, we look for all of the vital anatomical parts of the baby and any issues that have developed.
At New England Women's Healthcare, our nine OB/GYN specialists offer obstetric care for expecting women. Our team provides ultrasounds and other diagnostic testing for women throughout their pregnancy for the health of the baby.
An ultrasound is a type of imaging test that utilizes sound waves to create a picture of the organs in your body. It's a safe and effective option for pregnant women to see the growth and development of the fetus that's in utero.
Most women get an ultrasound within the first few weeks after a positive pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy and the fetal heartbeat. You might not have another ultrasound until the anatomy scan, which happens around 18 to 22 weeks.
During the 20-week ultrasound, the technician uses the ultrasound probe and machine to look at the fetus, its development, and the essential anatomical structures, such as:
We can also tell the sex of the fetus as long as the genitals are visible during the scan. However, we won't tell you the sex of the baby if you and your partner don't want to know.
Additionally, we check for congenital abnormalities, issues with heart rhythm, and umbilical cord blood flow. We can also see the uterus, cervix, and amniotic fluid.
The results of your 20-week scan should be available on the same day as the ultrasound. We recommend having the ultrasound and then making an appointment with one of our nurse practitioners to discuss the findings.
In most cases, the anatomy scan is a great experience – and we usually don't find anything to worry about. However, there is a chance we could detect any of the following congenital conditions:
It's essential to understand that the ultrasound isn't an accurate diagnosis. The results could simply indicate where further testing may be needed. We usually bring you in for additional diagnostic testing if we suspect any of the above conditions.
The type of testing you need depends on the suspected cause for concern. You may simply need repeat ultrasounds to monitor the baby until birth. Watchful care may be all that we require to ensure your and your baby's health.
We may also recommend an amniocentesis to check for specific conditions. During an amniocentesis, we withdraw amniotic fluid to test for genetic abnormalities within the fetus.
If we suspect Down syndrome, we send you for chorionic villus sampling. During the procedure, a specialist takes cells from your placenta, which are identical to those in the fetus. We then test the cells to look for chromosomal issues.
You may also require repeat ultrasounds with a perinatologist, a specialty doctor who focuses on high-risk pregnancies and abnormalities during pregnancy. We work with the perinatologist to ensure you and your baby have a safe and healthy delivery.
To schedule your 20-week ultrasound, don't hesitate to call our team at our Woburn or Wilmington, Massachusetts, office or request an appointment on the website.
