Today was a blessed rainy day! 😊 Together with my two kids, we went to the hospital for my scheduled anatomy scan. The two were so happy and excited while we were on the way knowing they will see their baby sister once again.
The Anatomy Scan
Had my weight measured, blood pressure and urine test which were the usual routine for every antenatal visit. I now weigh 62.6 kilograms, wow! Last time I measured like around 59 kilograms only! 😊 That just simply mean that I am gaining more pounds in there, and that my baby is growing!
My blood pressure was normal followed by a normal urine test, too.
The scan was performed by two doctors. I remember with my last pregnancy, had it performed by one doctor alone. For today, it was performed by the lady doctor first then followed by the male doctor who did the same monitoring and measuring of the baby. I think it is much better having it done by a team of two doctors so to give them a more accurate results on how the baby is developing in there, somewhat more reassurance, too, that everything is going exactly the way it should be.
Thanks be to God, I'm so grateful to have been told everything was normal after the scan. It was the same male doctor who performed my previous ultrasound a month back. He told me once again that it's a baby girl, which was confirmed by the lady doctor afterwards.
During the ultrasound, my two kids who were both seated beside me were happily giggling as the doctor points out at every baby part. When the doctor points to the head, they will say "there's the head!". :) Big brother Moses was paying close attention to every detail, when the doctor pointed at the baby's eyes, he was saying "I can't see it!". The Ultrasound room was filled with excitement, it was fun! 😊
Baby's loving big sister and brother! 👧💖👦
Happy big sister, while the sweet big brother is already in love with his baby sister... 😍
Just to share, here is what anatomy scan is all about:
These days, it's pretty much routine for women in their second trimester to be scheduled for a level 2 ultrasound, commonly called the 20-week anatomy scan or what they also call the anomaly or morphology scan.
WHO A LEVEL 2 ULTRASOUND IS FOR
Virtually all practitioners order an ultrasound anatomy scan for all their moms-to-be. Even if you had a first-trimester (level 1) sonogram to confirm or date your pregnancy, or as part of a first-trimester screening test, the more detailed level 2 sonogram is important because of all the additional valuable information it gives your practitioner about what's going on with your baby.
An Ultrasound Room
WHEN A LEVEL 2 ULTRASOUND IS DONE
Most anatomy scans are performed in the second trimester of pregnancy, typically at 20 weeks but they can be done anytime between 18 weeks and 22 weeks. If you have a condition that needs to be monitored (such as carrying multiples), you may have more than one detailed ultrasound.
HOW A LEVEL 2 ULTRASOUND IS DONE
To get the most comprehensive anatomy assessment, the sonographer will be aiming for many different views from lots of different angles. When the technician gets a clear shot, he or she will freeze-frame the picture (that's the actual sonogram) and then measure a specific part of the body. During the scan, you may be able to spot your baby's beating heart, the curve of the spine, and the face, arms and legs. You may even catch sight of your baby sucking a thumb.
Settle in to enjoy the show: The detailed level 2 scan can take 30 to 45 minutes (depending on how cooperative your little one wants to be).
WHAT A LEVEL 2 ULTRASOUND LOOKS AT
A level 2 ultrasound focuses closely on fetal anatomy to be sure everything is growing and developing as it should; images are much clearer and more detailed than the fuzzy ultrasound you got in your first trimester. Your baby will be measured from crown to rump, around the middle, and around the head, and his or her weight will be estimated. The four chambers of the heart will be looked at, as well as the kidneys, bladder, stomach, brain, spine and sex organs. The sonographer will also be looking at your amniotic fluid levels, the location of the placenta and fetal heart rate.
A level 2 scan also checks for hard and soft markers, characteristics that may indicate an increased risk of a chromosomal abnormality. Important to know before you head into your scan: Very few babies showing soft markers (choroid plexus cyst, echogenic foci or pyelectasia, to name an unpronounceable few) end up having an abnormality. In fact, these markers are spotted on as many as 11 to 17 percent of all healthy babies — good reason not to worry if one is spotted on your baby's scan. Your practitioner will let you know whether any follow-up testing is necessary (it often isn't).
Be aware that a level 2 ultrasound can also tell you the sex of your baby if you haven't already found out through noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) or a CVS, though with less than 100 percent reliability and depending on baby's cooperation. Remember: Be sure to tell your sonographer if you don't want to know!
RISKS
There are no significant risks associated with ultrasounds, though medical guidelines caution against unnecessary exposure to ultrasound — which is why your practitioner will schedule only a handful of them throughout your pregnancy. If you're concerned about the upcoming picture show (and what those grainy images reveal), talk to your practitioner about what he or she is looking for. Chances are you'll come away enlightened (and relieved).
Data Sources: What To Expect -> https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-testing-level-two-ultrasound-anatomy-scan/
Photo courtesy of:
-> http://aboutspinabifida.blogspot.hk/2012/06/prenatal-testing-diagnosis.html
-> http://www.womensultrasound.com.au/detection-of-down-syndrome-with-ultrasound-at-12-weeks-of-pregnancy.html
-> http://theleakyboob.com/tag/ultrasound/
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