You’ll be offered some screening tests during pregnancy to try and find if you or your baby are at higher chance of a health condition. The screening tests can help you get earlier, potentially more effective treatment or make informed decisions about your pregnancy. Screening tests are not perfect. Some people will be told that they or their baby have a higher chance of having a health condition when in fact they do not have the condition. Also, a few people will be told that they or their baby have a lower chance of having a health condition when in fact they do have the condition.
Screening via ultrasound scans
Hospitals in England offer at least 2 ultrasound scans during pregnancy:
- at 10 to 14 weeks
- and between 18 and 21 weeks
The first scan is sometimes called the dating scan. The sonographer estimates when your baby is due (the estimated date of delivery, or EDD) based on the baby’s measurements.
The dating scan can include a nuchal translucency (NT) scan, which is part of the combined screening for Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s syndromes, if you choose to have this screening. It is also called the First Trimester Combined Screening scan.
The second scan offered during pregnancy usually takes place between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. It’s also called anomaly scan, or the mid-pregnancy scan. This scan checks for 11 physical conditions in your baby.
You may be offered more than 2 scans, depending on your health and the pregnancy.