Introduction:
One of the most anticipated moments in pregnancy is the 20-week anatomy scan. It’s an ultrasound appointment that takes an in-depth look at your developing baby’s body parts to catch any potential concerns. But most first-time-moms have no idea what to expect at the anatomy scan. This can lead to even more anxiety.
I was almost 21 weeks pregnant when I had my anatomy scan for my first baby. A lot of my friends had been through pregnancies, so they gave me a little warning… I knew that the ultrasound technician would not be telling us directly whether or not the baby was healthy.
But I absolutely was not prepared for COMPLETE SILENCE.
Even worse, my husband was with me and he was not prepared for what the ultrasounds would look like. He’d seen so many of the 3D ultrasound images that he was expecting something more high-tech. So he was very concerned to see a baby that resembled an alien more than a human.
To top it all off, we didn’t have an appointment with my OB immediately after. That meant we had to wait a week to meet with her to officially hear that our baby was developing healthily.
While every doctor’s office will have some minor differences, let’s chat about what to expect at your anatomy scan and how to prepare.
What is a 20 Week Anatomy Scan?
The 20 week anatomy scan is an exciting half-way point of your pregnancy. But it’s also an important ultrasound visit that takes an in-depth look at your baby.
To get a better idea of what to expect at your anatomy scan, you need to understand what the scan is.
During the appointment, an ultrasound technician will use a probe to measure dozens of the developing baby’s organs. You’ll get to watch your baby on a screen as the technician takes a look at each of their vital parts.
The ultrasound technician’s job is to measure everything from the baby’s head size to the fluid around the baby (called amniotic fluid). The technician then has the measurements sent to your OB to review for abnormalities or concerns.
If you didn’t already do blood tests to find out the sex of your baby, the 20 week anatomy scan is also a time that you can learn the gender of your baby.
It’s important to know that the sonographer or ultrasound technician will usually not be the one to give you information about whether your baby is healthy. Because doctors are the ones who give diagnoses, your OB will be the one to “interpret” the scans in most instances.
What Can You Expect at Your Anatomy Scan
Remember how I mentioned my husband feeling concerned about the 2D images we saw during our first anatomy scan? He could have been much less anxious if we took time to set our expectations for the appointment beforehand.
Here are some ways you can have realistic expectations for what to expect at your anatomy scan:
Ultrasound images aren’t always impressive
I know that we get used to seeing those beautiful profile shots of babies on our Instagram feeds. But in reality, a lot of the images could be blurry or grainy due to old equipment and a squirming baby.
It can be helpful to keep your expectations low for the printouts that you’ll receive. (But in my experience most techs genuinely want to get you those amazing shots).
Babies don’t always cooperate
With both of my pregnancies, my babies were not interested in cooperating with the sonagrapher. When babies aren’t positioned well or are facing the wrong way, it can be challenging for the ultrasound tech to get clear images and measurements of the vital organs.
This could mean that you get sent to the bathroom to empty your bladder. Or your tech may have you do some yoga-like poses briefly to attempt to reposition the baby. In some cases (like I experienced with my first), you may need a transvaginal ultrasound to get a better image/angle. It could also lead you to needing a second anatomy scan to try on a different day in hopes that the baby will reposition by then.
Ultrasound technicians can be quiet or share limited information
My first ultrasound technician was very quiet during our appointment. I asked her questions about what she was measuring or looking at to help with my anxiety and to try to understand what was happening.
She was kind enough to let me know that she can tell me what we are looking at but can’t give diagnostic results (she was reluctant to even tell me if measurements were “normal”). I’ve had techs since then that have been more willing to give me reassurance.
Ultimately, it will usually be a doctor who officially tells you if or when something is concerning or if they need to take a second look.
Follow-up scans can be normal
If there is something that the doctor isn’t sure about or wants to get a better look at, they could have you come in for a second scan.
Remember that, unless your doctor tells you that there is a specific concern, this is nothing to worry about. We had a follow-up scan with my first born to get a better look at the bottom of his spine and he’s completely healthy.
It’s also important to remember that these babies are still developing and their vital organs have time to continue growing.
Concerns Can Come Up
A major reason that anatomy scans are recommended is because it provides an opportunity to catch concerns about baby’s development early.
Knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have.
For instance, if the anatomy scan shows that the baby has a cleft palate, you will have time to find a specialist and learn about the condition and how it’s treated.
The anatomy scan can be physically uncomfortable
I was sore after my first ever anatomy scan. After my anatomy scan with my second, my stomach was red for about an hour.
To get images of the baby from different angles, the ultrasound technician will likely need to push on your abdomen really firmly.
The scans can feel a bit uncomfortable because someone is literally pushing on your sensitive, growing belly during a time that ligament pain is already kicking in.
But the scan should not be fully painful. Be sure to tell your technician if the procedure is actually painful and they can help work with you to get the shots they need of the baby without causing you pain.
It can be emotional to see your baby
During my first anatomy scan, I realized that seeing my baby made me feel so giddy that I found myself laughing with joy. I thought his little body wiggling around on the screen was so amazing that I had to take extra effort to not laugh (laughing is not helpful for the techs to snap images).
Some moms find themselves feeling the same way I did. Other moms may cry or feel overwhelmed with emotions.
Regardless of what emotions you may be feeling, it’s usually helpful to let the technician know. “I’m overwhelmed to finally see them,” or “I’ve gone through so many losses that it feels unreal to finally be looking at a baby,” can help your tech understand what’s going on so that they can support you well during the scan.
How to Prepare
Preparation is always key when it comes to new experiences. You’re already on the right track by reading this blog post to prepare. Here are a few others you can read if you feel like you still want to learn more:
Preparing emotionally for your anatomy scan is vital. Here are a few of my favorite tips:
- My favorite advice (which is soooo hard to actually apply) is to assume your baby is healthy until you are definitively told otherwise
- Bring a loved one to your appointment or have someone available by phone just in case.
- Know that bad news is a possibility, but also be prepared for good news.
- Talk to your doctor beforehand to understand how abnormal results are handled and what you can expect.
- Connect with other moms – there is nothing better than people who have been through what you are going through. There are even special support groups for moms with babies with various conditions (should something come up on your anatomy scan).
Conclusion
Whether you are feeling nervous, excited, or both… You should at least feel more prepared now for what to expect at your anatomy scan.
Your feelings are normal and every anatomy scan is different. But remember that extra time the technician spends on an organ is not always a cause for concern. Neither is having a transvaginal ultrasound, or a follow-up scan. Knowing this can help ease a lot of anxiety.
