My name's Matt. I'm an obstetric sonographer, a specialist in scanning unborn babies using ultrasound.
An ultrasound scan is a procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of your body. Ultrasound scans are very safe for both you and your baby.
You can expect to have at least two scans during your pregnancy.
The first takes place at around 11-14 weeks. This scan will give you your estimated due date. We'll also do a screening for chromosomal abnormalities, which include Down's syndrome, if you've given your consent for this. We can also check for many major structural abnormalities.
The second scan, called the anomaly scan, usually takes place between 18 to 21 weeks. We look in detail at things like your baby's brain, spine, heart, kidneys and abdomen. This is to check for 11 main conditions, which include spina bifida, cleft lip and heart abnormalities. It is important to know that these scans cannot check for every abnormality. Amongst other things, this growth scan checks the size of the baby, some blood vessels around the baby and also the amniotic fluid.
Ultimately, all anti-natal scans are there to provide you and your healthcare professionals with the best information, to ensure the safe arrival of your baby.
What does a sonographer do? How many scans can you expect and what are they looking at?
Matt Anderson explains about his role and answers these questions.
