Introduction

Pregnancy is a wonderful journey that is full of excitement and anticipation. Many tests and procedures are required for parents during pregnancy. These checks are performed to ensure both the mother and the developing baby are healthy. The anomaly scan is a level 2 ultrasound that checks for birth defects. It’s a crucial checkup to have while expecting a child. Let’s discuss why this scan is so crucial, how it operates, and the benefits you may expect to reap from it.

Do You Know about Anomaly Scan?

An anomaly scan is an in-depth ultrasound during the second trimester of pregnancy. The second trimester is chosen because it is the most convenient time to observe and assess the developing fetus’s structure. The primary goal of the anomaly scan is to identify potential health issues or indicators of hereditary illnesses.

When to do an Anomaly Scan?

An ultrasound is used to examine the fetus (baby in womb) for any abnormalities during an anomaly scan. This scan is most effective between 18 and 22 weeks, when the baby’s organs and bones are more developed and easier to observe. This scan helps to find out structural abnormalities in the body of growing fetus.

What Parts of the Fetus are Examined During Scan?

During the anomaly scan, the head, brain, face, spine, heart, abdomen, kidneys, limbs, and other important organs of the fetus are all carefully examined. The doctor looks at these structures to see organs growth, their size, and signs of any abnormality. They also measure the size of the fetus, check the amount of amniotic fluid, and look at the position of the placenta.

What Abnormalities could be found?

During an anomaly scan, problems like neural tube defects (like spina bifida), heart defects, cleft lip and palate, abdominal wall defects, abnormal limbs, kidney problems, and chromosomal disorders (like Down syndrome) can be found.

Anomaly scan can find out structural problems, but it can’t find out some conditions or issues at this stage because they don’t show up until later in pregnancy or after birth. But if the radiologist has any doubts during the scan, he or she may suggest doing the scan again after a while or use other radiology methods and tests to rule out the abnormality or condition.

The information gathered during an abnormality scan is very important for helping parents to learn more about their baby’s health and growth. When abnormalities are found, more diagnostic tests or consultations with experts may be suggested to confirm the diagnosis and talk about possible ways to treat the problem.

The Procedure of Anomaly Scan

Most of the time, a skilled Radiologist who is specialized in the field of medical imaging perform the anomaly scan. The process starts with the mother lying down on an examination table. A gel is then put on her abdomen to help the ultrasound tool get a better result. The Radiologist uses a device that sends high-frequency sound waves called an ultrasound waves to make real-time pictures of the fetus on a screen.

During the scan, the Radiologist carefully looks at the head, brain, face, spine, heart, abdomen, kidneys, limbs, and other major parts of the developing baby. Each structure is closely examined to see if it is growing correctly. It also helps to see the symmetry, and any signs of something going wrong. Also, the size of the fetus is measured, the amount of amniotic fluid is checked, and the position of the placenta is analyzed.

How does Anomaly Scan help parents?

The information found by an anomaly scan is very important for the parents. It gives parents peace of mind and comfort when no problems are found. This lets them focus on the joy and excitement of waiting for their baby to arrive. When an abnormality is found, the scan leads to more research and talks with experts. This makes it easier for early intervention, care planning, and support networks, all of which can help the baby and the family a lot.

Emotional support and guidance

Aside from being able to find out what’s wrong, the anomaly scan gives a special chance to expecting parents to know their baby’s health. Seeing real-time ultrasound images of a baby’s development makes a strong emotional link and helps parents see how their child is growing. It is also a great time to ask questions, get more information, and learn more about the journey of pregnancy.

The Final Words

The anomaly scan is a great tool that has changed prenatal care in a meaningful way. Its ability to find possible problems in the growing fetus shows how far medical technology has come and how committed we are to giving expectant parents the best care possible. This diagnostic procedure not only gives parents important information about their baby’s health, but it also gives them understanding, support, and the chance to make decisions based on that information.

As we learn more about how life starts in the womb, the abnormality scan is a sign of hope that points the way to healthier and happy beginnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Anomaly Scan safe?

Yes, anomaly scan is safe and secure for both mother and growing baby. Ultrasound uses sound waves & no radiation involved in this procedure.

How anomaly scan takes time?

Anomaly scan is short test. It may take 30-40 minutes for complete analysis.

Is an anomaly scan necessary?

Yes, it is most important scan and every pregnant woman should go for it from 18 to 22 weeks (5 month) of pregnancy.