The 20-week ultrasound is not an in-and-out appointment, so leave yourself plenty of time. What should you expect at the 20-week ultrasound appointment? Plan to be there a while It also can help prepare you mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead. It’s important to remember, however, that identifying any potential abnormalities early on will help you and your medical team develop a plan of action for birth and beyond. This all may sound very intimidating, and it certainly can make this exciting ultrasound feel slightly more nerve-wracking. They’ll look for fluid in the bladder to make sure kidneys are doing their job and scan the spine for any openings, as well.Ī tech may also be able to identify a cleft lip and less frequently, a cleft of the palate during the 20-week ultrasound. Since congenital heart defects are one of the most common abnormalities, and a leading cause of infant death, the ultrasound tech will carefully evaluate the four chambers of the heart and check to make sure everything is functioning properly. The technician will also be checking for any organ abnormalities.
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As the baby gets bigger, though, it becomes easier for a healthcare professional to identify possible issues on screen. The combination blood work and ultrasound screening available in your first trimester may have already provided some information. The 20-week scan also offers an opportunity to identify certain abnormalities or markers for potential genetic disorders like Down syndrome or Trisomy 18. If your baby doesn’t get into the proper position, it can be more challenging for a technician to make the call with absolute certainty. It’s also worth noting that there’s always a small margin of potential error in determining sex (talk about a big delivery surprise!). If you plan to keep your baby’s sex a surprise, be sure to let your ultrasound tech know your intention in advance so that they don’t accidentally blurt anything out. It can be tempting to lose all resolve in the moment, but many soon-to-be parents choose to wait for the big delivery day reveal. Of course, it’s entirely your call if you want to find out based on what’s spotted on the screen.
Identifying the sex of your babyĭuring the anatomy scan, a technician may also be able to determine the sex of your little one.ĭepending on your baby’s position, and their level of cooperation, an ultrasound technician is usually able to identify either a labia and clitoris or a penis and testicles. They will make sure you have adequate amniotic fluid to accommodate your little swimmer.Īnd finally, they may switch to use a transvaginal ultrasound wand to check that your cervix remains long and closed (if it has shortened and/or opened at all, you may be at greater risk for premature labor). Your placenta will also have its moment in the spotlight, as the technician assesses any risk of placenta previa. The ultrasound technician will also check the umbilical cord to ensure it meets the abdomen and has three vessels.
A normal heart rate range at this stage of gestation is 120 to 180 beats per minute.
They’ll also check the spine to ensure that the vertebrae are aligned and entirely covered by your baby’s skin.ĭuring the ultrasound, you’ll get to hear the sweet pitter-patter rhythm of your baby’s heartbeat. The ultrasound technician will carefully take measurements to make sure your baby’s growth is on track.
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