Baby scans during pregnancy

If there is one appointment that we wouldn't miss for the world, it's the baby scan. This technique using ultrasound to see the baby inside the mother's bump is an emotional moment. And a precious one for both parents. This moment of first approach and encounter with baby is what we cover from every angle in this article dedicated to the subject.

Baby scans — what are they?

Much like radiology, a baby scan is a medical imaging technique. In our case, it is used to obtain a video image of the abdomen. This is done using a device called an ultrasound scanner. The examination is completely painless. To be more precise about how it works, a baby scan involves placing a probe against the skin at the level of the organ being examined — in our case, the mother's bump! The probe emits ultrasound waves that pass through the tissues and send back information in the form of a signal. This signal is simultaneously collected and analysed by a computer system, which then transmits it via a video screen. And it's on this screen that you get to see your little one! Let's now look at how often scans are carried out.

How many baby scans are there during pregnancy?

Although there is no harm in having a scan at every appointment with your gynaecologist or midwife, there are nonetheless 3 compulsory scans over the course of your pregnancy. These 3 examinations are each linked to a specific moment in the baby's development. For the primary aim of scans, before being a warm moment between parents and baby, is above all to study the development of the foetus and thus detect any possible abnormalities. Let's look at them in detail.

1st baby scan: the dating scan

The first scan is called the dating scan. It takes its name from the fact that it allows the pregnancy to be dated precisely. It is also at this dating appointment that your doctor will tell you whether you are expecting one baby or more. The dating scan takes place in the first trimester, between the eleventh and thirteenth week of amenorrhoea.

Next, the second trimester scan

Known as the morphology scan, the second baby scan takes place between weeks 18 and 22 of pregnancy. This scan makes it possible to see the majority of baby's limbs and organs. Such as the heart, brain, kidneys, stomach, and bladder. The imaging will allow any abnormalities to be detected and, where necessary, acted upon. It also plays an important emotional role for parents, as in addition to being able to admire baby's entire body on screen, it is also during this scan that it is often very easy to determine the baby's sex. And if you don't want to know, be sure to say so right at the start of the appointment, as sometimes it can be very easy to spot!

Finally, the last scan is the third trimester scan

And no less important — in fact it's the last one before the big arrival! This scan should take place at around 32 weeks of amenorrhoea. Its purpose is to confirm baby's growth. It is at this point that the doctor will look at the position of the placenta relative to the cervix, as well as the amount of amniotic fluid and any possible malformations. Finally, the third baby scan also allows an estimate — indicative and by no means definitive — of the average weight baby is likely to be on the day they arrive. Do bear in mind, however, that there is a margin of error of 15% compared with what you are told.

So there you have it — the 3 precious appointments that await you over these 9 months, before you finally get to meet your baby and their lovely little face.