Early Anomaly Scan

If you're pregnant, you should get an early anomaly scan. It's a great way to check on your baby's health and make sure everything is developing as it should be. The doctor can check whether you have twins and any abnormality in the fetus can be diagnosed.

Overview of the Early Anomaly Scan

This anomaly scan is normally done at the gestation period of 20-24 weeks. During the scan, the pregnancy and the womb are examined thoroughly to check the parts of the fetus and the position of the placenta and assess the growth of the baby as per the gestation period and the amount of amniotic fluid present in the womb.

About the Early Anomaly Scan

The scan is done for the various parts of the body like the heart, brain, kidneys, stomach, face, limbs, bones, and spine to see that all is fine and there is no abnormality.

It is a medical examination carried out by a trained sonographer in the form of an ultrasound. Results are in a 2D black and white image as many countries do not use 3D or colour images.

This scan is good for women in the higher risk zone of having any kind of poor health condition of the baby. The first and early second trimesters are the perfect time for this scan to detect any fetal anomaly. However, the gestational age of 20-24 weeks should not be ignored for getting this scan.

Risk factors associated with the Early Anomaly Scan

Though there are no known risks to your baby or you from an ultrasound scan, you can decide whether to have a scan or not as per the advice of your doctor.

Preparing for the Early Anomaly Scan

There might be a few instructions from your doctor as per your case but normally, it is advised to have a full bladder when you come for the scan.

It does not hurt during the scan but the sonographer might require to apply slight pressure on your tummy to get a clear view and picture of the baby. You will feel a little uncomfortable due to the pressure on your stomach.

What to expect from the Early Anomaly Scan

Scans are done by specialized sonographers. The room is dimly lit so that they can see the images. After you lie down comfortably, the sonographer tucks tissue paper around you to save your clothing from getting spoiled by the gel applied to your abdomen.

The images are obtained and the scan is done by rotating the handheld probe over your entire abdomen to examine the baby and its growth.  A scan can help to look for around 11 rare conditions and not all.

Possible results of the Early Anomaly Scan

A few of the following conditions might be found by this scan:

• Cardiac abnormalities
• Edwards' syndrome, or T18
• Open spina bifida
• Cleft lip
• Patau's syndrome, or T13
• Diaphragmatic hernia
• Gastroschisis
• Anencephaly
• Exomphalos
• Bilateral renal agenesis
• Lethal skeletal dysplasia

When to see a Doctor?

In case any abnormalities have been spotted the implications of the findings of the scan require to be discussed with the doctor at the earliest. After going through the scan reports, you will be advised to do further tests that will help the doctor diagnose the condition and give you a treatment protocol.

Conclusion

The early anomaly scan is a vital part of your pregnancy, and it's important to have it done as early as 20 - 24 weeks gestation. This scan can detect complications that may arise during pregnancy and help prevent them from happening to you or your baby. If you are considering an early anomaly scan, we recommend scheduling one as soon as possible after 20 weeks of gestation.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, Amritsar - Abadi Court Road. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.