
If there’s too much clear space, it could be a sign of a genetic condition such as Down syndrome or even chromosomal abnormalities that may be fatal to the baby.īut what many people might not realize is that the NT scan appointment can also include a blood test to further screen for chromosomal issues. Specifically, this scan is performed to measure the size of the clear tissue - known as nuchal translucency - at the back of your baby’s neck. The NT scan is a noninvasive test that’s primarily used to screen for any abnormalities with your baby’s development. So, if skull theory is a fun game but not reliable, what other options are there if you can’t wait until the 20-week anatomy scan to learn what you’re having?Ī good answer is testing that coincides with the nuchal translucency (NT) scan, an optional test that is usually completed between the 11th and 13th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy ultrasound evaluation.More reliable ways to learn your baby’s sex Pregnant over 35: Here's what your 20-week ultrasound can show you.Why to avoid ‘keepsake’ 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds. Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors.You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. At 20 weeks, a healthy heart rate is around 140 beats per minute. Fetal heart rate: It is usually possible to hear the fetus’s heart during this ultrasound, which can provide valuable information.The findings can also help inform the plan for the delivery.


In this case, a doctor will meet with the woman shortly afterward to discuss the results. If a technician performs the ultrasound, they may not share what they find during the scan. This involves inserting a thin transducer into the vagina, and it requires the woman to undress from the waist down. If this happens, the healthcare provider will perform these parts of the scan first, then take a break so that the woman can use the bathroom.Ī healthcare provider may also recommend a vaginal ultrasound to provide a better image.
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They then move the transducer around the area and check the returning images on the monitor.įor some parts of the ultrasound, the woman may need to have a full bladder, which can make the pictures clearer. The woman lies on an exam table, and the doctor or technician squeezes gel onto the woman’s bare abdomen. The goal is to provide basic but essential information about the fetus’s shape, development, and overall health. The image is not a photo, and it may not be very detailed. The waves then bounce off the fetus and surrounding structures, and the returning waves form an image, which is visible on a monitor. They use a handheld device called a transducer to send the sound waves into the abdomen. During pregnancy, an ultrasound provides a way to see the fetus, the uterus, and some other relevant structures, using sound waves.Ī doctor or an ultrasound technician may perform the scan.
