Ultrasound scans of your baby are made over the course of the pregnancy. A scan is not compulsory, though — everyone is free to choose.
In most, though not all, cases the cost of these scans is covered by your health insurer. It is worth checking the terms of your policy beforehand.
First trimester scan
Two scans are made in the first trimester: the first between 8 and 10 weeks and the second between 10 and 14 weeks. The midwife makes these scans at the practice, in Vriezenveen as well as Wierden, and they take about 10 to 15 minutes. They are there to establish:
- whether the pregnancy is intact
- whether there is any sign of an ectopic pregnancy
- whether it is a single baby or more than one
- how far along the pregnancy is
- what the due date is
These scans are therefore not intended to detect abnormalities, which cannot be established reliably at this stage.
Structural ultrasound examination (the 20-week scan)
Between 18 and 23 weeks of pregnancy the 20-week scan is made by sonographers at the Inzicht prenatal screening centre in Almelo. The centre is a partnership between a number of midwifery practices in the region and the obstetricians of the ZGT hospital in Almelo. There is a great deal of experience and expertise in ultrasound there, which keeps the quality of the scan high.
The purpose of this scan is to detect physical abnormalities in the baby, in particular spina bifida and anencephaly. The development of the organs, the growth of the baby and the amount of amniotic fluid are also assessed. The result is usually given straight away.
If abnormalities are found, you are referred to a regional centre for prenatal diagnosis. Where there is a serious abnormality it is possible to end the pregnancy; under Dutch law that is possible up to 24 weeks.
Please note: this scan is no guarantee of a healthy child. Not every abnormality can be picked up by ultrasound.
You can find more information at www.prenatalescreening.nl and www.inzichtalmelo.nl
Growth scan
This scan is made by the midwife at the practice, in Vriezenveen as well as Wierden, at around 30 weeks of pregnancy.
A baby’s wellbeing is closely tied to its growth. In this scan the baby’s head and abdomen are measured, along with the thigh bone, and the amount of amniotic fluid is assessed. The measurements are plotted on a growth chart, and from them the weight can be estimated.
Position scan
This scan is made by the midwife at the practice, in Vriezenveen as well as Wierden, between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.
The purpose of this scan is to establish the position of the baby in the womb. At this stage of the pregnancy it is normal for the baby to lie head down. If a baby is lying head up (breech), you are referred to an obstetrician.