We make a number of ultrasound scans of your baby over the course of the pregnancy. A scan is not compulsory: the choice is yours.
In most, though not all, cases your health insurer covers the cost of these scans. It is worth checking the terms of your policy beforehand.
First trimester scan
We make two scans in the first trimester: the first between 8 and 10 weeks and the second between 10 and 14 weeks. We do that at the practice, in Vriezenveen as well as Wierden, and a scan takes 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 21 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. Sometimes the scan has to be repeated, which can happen when the baby is lying in a way that keeps some structures from being seen properly. That repeat scan is then made by an obstetrician at MST hospital in Enschede.
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.pns.nl and www.inzichtalmelo.nl.
Growth scan
We make this scan at the practice at around 30 weeks of pregnancy.
A baby's wellbeing is closely tied to its growth. In this scan we measure the baby's head, abdomen and thigh bone, and we check the amount of amniotic fluid. We plot the measurements on a growth chart, and from them we can estimate the weight. Please note: it is and remains an estimate.
Position scan
We make this scan at the practice between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy.
With this scan we 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 it is lying head up (breech), we refer you to an obstetrician. We also measure the baby's growth again and check the amount of amniotic fluid.