Questions to Ask at 20-Week Ultrasound

Introduction:

An anomaly scan is also referred to as an anatomy scan, level 2 ultrasound, or 20-week ultrasound. During this scan, physicians look for the physical structures of the fetus, placenta, and maternal organs. Regular prenatal examinations are important because they show how healthy the fetus is. Some prenatal tests are difficult while others are wonderful experiences since they show how the child looks and also can listen to the child’s heartbeat.

What Is an Anomaly Scan?

A 20-week anomaly scan is a prenatal screening test done between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy. It helps to detect congenital disorders and structural abnormalities in developing fetuses. 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound may be used by the physician to obtain the fetus’s images. This scan also helps to identify the sex of the fetus. The fetus’s measurements are taken and compared with the standard chart to determine whether the growth of the baby is in accordance with the age.

Is It Mandatory to Perform an Anomaly Scan?

Mothers have the likelihood of delivering a baby with physical or mental defects. The 20-week ultrasound has the potential to help find these abnormalities while in the womb.

What Will the Sonographer Observe During the Anatomy Scan?

In addition to the physical features of the developing fetus, the ultrasound technician looks for the following in the anomaly scan.

• Check for any irregular rhythms in fetal heart rate.

• Inspects the blood flow in the umbilical cord and its attachment to the placenta.

• Check for the position of the placenta to make sure it does not block the birth canal.

• Inspects the mother’s uterus, ovaries, and cervix.

How Should I Prepare for an Anomaly Scan?

A 20-week anatomy scan does not require any special preparations. Following are some tips to make the procedure more comfortable, quick, and safe for you.

• You have to drink sufficient water to make your bladder full. This will give more accurate results. An empty bladder will not provide much clear image.

• Arrive at the scan center a little earlier which helps you to stay comfortable and relaxed.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothes. This is because during the scan you must be able to reveal the abdomen from the navel to the pubic bone region.

• Refrain from wearing any jewels.

• Make sure to take all the documents and reports with you.

How It Is Carried Out?

The sonographer will perform the anomaly scan.

• The sonographer will apply a water-based gel on the abdomen.

• The sonographer will hold a handheld device and move it around the abdomen. The device will collect the sound waves and produce an image on the screen.

• Sometimes, to get a clear image of the baby, the sonographer may exert slight pressure. This will not do any harm to the baby.

• Generally, this procedure takes around 30 minutes.

• Sometimes, continuous movement of the baby or the mother’s skin thickness may hinder the clear image of the baby.

What Are the Questions to Ask During the 20-Week Ultrasound?

1. Are the Organs of the Fetus Growing Normally?

• Face: During intrauterine growth, the fetus’s lips are formed between the fourth and seventh week of pregnancy. If there is any defect in the formation of lips, it results in cleft lip on one or both sides. Nearly 4,440 babies are given birth with cleft lips, as per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Brain: You can ask your concerns regarding brain growth without any second thought. In general, conditions affecting the brain are less common.

• Heart: By this time, the developing fetus would have developed two upper and two lower chambers. The heart rate will be between 120 and 160 beats per minute.

• Kidney: Both kidneys will be formed at this stage.

• Limbs: At this stage, legs, toes, arms, and fingers will be formed.

2. How About Placental Health?

The presence of a low placenta at the beginning of the pregnancy is common. It will be moved upwards when the uterus expands with the growth of the developing fetus. If the low placenta persists, it is called placenta previa where the placenta is located in the lower uterus. It will block the birth canal and produce complications at the time of delivery. This condition impacts one in every 200 pregnancies and is more prevalent in women who begin their pregnancy later.

3. Are There Any Signs Associated With Down Syndrome?

Down syndrome screening is a compulsory screening test to do during pregnancy. Even if there is no family history of Down syndrome, it is better to do the test. It is best detected with 90 to 95 percent accuracy during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. If the sonographer notices any of the below-mentioned signs during the ultrasound of the baby, additional tests are required to confirm the diagnosis.

• Intestinal blockage.

• Cardiac defects.

• Skin thickening in the neck region.

Will Any Abnormalities in the Ultrasound Be a Cause for Concern?

The anomaly scan reports are not always accurate. If there is any abnormality, the physician will recommend how to proceed further.

• Sometimes the scan is performed again. This is because the position of the fetus during the scan was not favorable, and the mother’s skin thickness might have hindered the image.

• If any abnormality is detected, you will be recommended to visit a fetal medicine specialist.

• If any abnormality is detected in the heart, a fetal echo scan is performed to have a clear picture of the heart.

• If a severe abnormality is identified, the physician will provide assistance in all possible ways. He will provide all the treatment options available for particular defects. Some defects may require treatment while inside the womb while some may require treatment after delivery.

What Are the Abnormalities That Can Be Identified With Anomaly Scan?

The sonographer looks for a wide range of abnormalities during an anomaly scan. Some of them are not so severe while some are fatal. These include -

• Anencephaly (absence of part of skull and brain).

• Cleft lip (failure of fusion of structures that form the lip).

• Hydrocephalus (Fluid buildup in the brain).

• Spina bifida (a neural tube defect).

• Defect in kidneys.

• Heart defects.

Conclusion:

This scan helps in recognizing any abnormalities or delays in growth. The 20-week 3D ultrasound can produce images with more clear details and helps in viewing the actions like thumb sucking. It is a wonderful experience for the soon-to-be parents as they can see the baby inside the womb and listen to the heartbeat. They can ask about any concerns to the physician to get them clarified and free of worry.