Ultrasound scans are the most awaited tests for pregnant couples. Watching the tiny human move inside your womb, listening to their heartbeats, and watching them grow can all feel surreal.
However, ultrasounds conducted at a maternity center in Navi Mumbai aren’t just to give you a glimpse of your baby. In each trimester, you may need to get multiple ultrasounds to track your baby’s growth. Let’s see which prenatal scans are usually recommended in all three trimesters in India.
First Trimester Pregnancy Scans
The first trimester is counted from the day the pregnancy is confirmed till around 13 weeks of gestation. Here are the ultrasound tests needed in the first trimester:
1. Early Scan
An early scan may be needed to confirm pregnancy location, especially when your gynecologist wants to ensure the pregnancy is growing in the uterus.
It may also check the fetal cardiac activity, the gestational sac, the yolk sac, and the overall embryo’s growth. An early scan can be performed through an abdominal ultrasound or a transvaginal ultrasound.
2. Dating Scan
The dating scan gives a due date based on the baby’s growth as seen on an ultrasound. Usually, the due date is calculated from the first day of your last period, but not every woman has a regular menstrual cycle.
Ovulation can be delayed or occur earlier than expected. On the initial ultrasound scans, your gynecologist in Navi Mumbai will look at the baby’s crown-rump length to determine your gestational age, and thus the estimated due date.
3. Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan
An NT scan, often combined with blood tests, is a screening process that suggests the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities in the baby based on the thickness of the fluid-filled area behind the baby’s neck. The scan is conducted between 11 and 13 weeks of gestation.
Second Trimester Pregnancy Scans
Starting from 14 weeks, the second trimester lasts till 27 weeks. This is when you can see the baby’s detailed anatomy, as their organs become more developed.
1. Anomaly Scan
The anomaly scan, conducted between 18 and 22 weeks of gestation, helps a gynecologist assess the baby’s vital organs, such as their abdomen, kidneys, heart, bladder, and limbs. It also shows the amniotic fluid level and placental position.
2. Fetal Echo
Unlike a regular anomaly scan, fetal echo is an ultrasound scan that gives a detailed look at the baby’s heart and how it’s functioning.
It’s not routinely advised, but may be recommended if test results from an anomaly scan are abnormal or you have a family history of congenital heart conditions.
Third Trimester Pregnancy Scans
Starting at 28 weeks, the third trimester lasts until delivery, and ultrasounds during these weeks focus on the baby’s growth and placental position.
Growth Scan
The growth scan is scheduled between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and is mainly performed to assess the baby’s head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length. This helps your doctor identify their size and weight.
However, the growth scan is usually recommended when there’s a medical concern or a risk factor. Lastly, a scan is conducted at 36 weeks or later during pregnancy to check the placental position, baby’s position, and amniotic fluid.
