Anomaly Scans
Mount Carmel, like most hospitals offers a screening test between 18 and 22 weeks to check for any problems with your baby or the pregnancy.
The assessment by the Sonographer during your scan includes:
1. Ensuring that your baby is growing appropriately: This is achieved by taking standard measurements of your baby’s head and the femur bone in the leg and plotting them on a graph.
2. Locating the position of the placenta: In about 5% of cases the placenta may be seen to be situated low in the uterus, close to or covering the cervix, during the second trimester routine ultrasound scan. In the majority of cases (approximately 95%) the placenta moves away from the cervix as the lower part of the womb grows and stretches.
In a very small percentage the placenta remains low (placenta praevia). There is a risk of bleeding in later pregnancy with this condition and the baby may need to be delivered by Caesarean Section. Therefore if the placenta is deemed to be low-lying at the 20 weeks scan a repeat ultrasound scan between the 32nd and 36th week of pregnancy is recommended to assess its position/location.
3. Assessing the baby’s anatomy: For healthy low risk women the incidence of fetal abnormalities is in the region of 2%. It is important therefore to remember that diagnosis of a problem is unusual and more often than not the ultrasound scan is a reassuring experience. Some obvious structural abnormalities like spina-bifida for instance, may be detected during the ultrasound scan.
Not all abnormalities like Downs Syndrome or Cerebral Palsy, for instance, can be detected by scan: consequently the ultrasound scan cannot guarantee a normal baby.
3rd September 2009
Please note our new price lists effective from 1st Sept 2009-09-04.
22nd October 2009
We are now open every Saturday morning, please telephone in advance to book your appointment.
