Dating scan booking appointment

How do I book a dating scan appointment?

Your midwife or doctor will book you a dating scan appointment. It will usually take place at your local hospital ultrasound department. Most scans are carried out by sonographers. You may need to have a full bladder for this scan, as this makes the ultrasound image clearer.

How long does a dating scan take?

The dating scan usually takes about 20 minutes. If youre well, its really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby. If youre pregnant, hospitals and clinics are making sure its safe for you to go to appointments.

Do you need a full bladder for a dating scan?

You may need to have a full bladder for this scan, as this makes the ultrasound image clearer. You can ask your midwife or doctor before the scan if this is the case. The dating scan usually takes about 20 minutes. If youre well, its really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.

How is Downs syndrome diagnosed at a dating scan?

Screening for Downs syndrome will happen at the dating scan if: the scan takes place between 10 and 14 weeks of pregnancy The screening test for Downs syndrome used at this stage of pregnancy is called the combined test. It involves a blood test and measuring the fluid at the back of the babys neck (nuchal translucency) with an ultrasound scan.

What is a dating scan and when is it done?

If youre pregnant in England youll be offered an ultrasound scan at around 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. This is called the dating scan. Its used to see how far along in your pregnancy you are and check your babys development.

Do you need a referral for a dating scan?

You will need to get a referral from your doctor or midwife for a dating scan. Most women can instead have their first scan at 11 to 13 weeks — this is usually called the 12-week scan.

When should I book my first ultrasound scan?

Ideally, the booking appointment should take place by week 10 of your pregnancy, so there’s plenty of time to fit in your first ultrasound scan and any other recommended screening tests before the end of the first trimester. The appointment probably won’t be much earlier than eight weeks, as the risk of miscarriage is higher before this point.

Do I need a dating scan if I have had bleeding?

You can discuss whether you want or need a dating scan with your doctor or midwife. A dating scan is usually done to check how many weeks’ pregnant you are, but can be done for other reasons, such as if you have had bleeding during your pregnancy or you have had previous miscarriages.

How is Downs syndrome diagnosed?

Downs syndrome may be suspected shortly after birth because of the typical features that a baby with Downs syndrome may have. Diagnosis is confirmed by genetic tests to look at the appearance and number of chromosomes of the baby. This is essentially their genetic make-up. It involves the baby having a blood test.

What is the combined screening test for Down syndrome?

A screening test for Downs syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Pataus syndrome is available between weeks 10 and 14 of pregnancy. Its called the combined test because it combines an ultrasound scan with a blood test. The blood test can be carried out at the same time as the 12-week scan.

Can Down syndrome be detected at 10 weeks?

First Trimester Screening, using bloods and Nuchal Translucency measurement, done between 10-14 weeks, can detect 94% of cases and Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) from 9 weeks can detect 99% of Down Syndrome cases. Only invasive tests (Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling) can clinically confirm the presence of Down Syndrome in a baby.

Should I have an ultrasound scan for Down syndrome?

They should only be offered to women where there is a history of Down Syndrome, a previous pregnancy with a chromosomal abnormality or if any of the above mentioned ultrasound tests show a high risk for an anomaly. Ultrasound scans aren’t a full-proof way of testing for Down syndrome in babies.