What to actually ask at your anomaly scan

In one week in our community group, three women asked the same question. All three had their anomaly scan coming up in a day or two. All three wanted to know what to ask.

None of them got the answer from their radiologist. They got it from each other.

What this scan is

The anomaly scan, also called the level 2 scan, is usually done between 18 and 22 weeks. Your doctor will give you the exact week. It is the most detailed look at your baby in the whole pregnancy. The radiologist goes organ by organ. Brain, heart, spine, kidneys, face, limbs. They also look at your placenta, your fluid and your cervix.

It takes time. Some women are in that room for over an hour. Some are sent home and called back the next day because the baby was asleep or lying face down. This is common. It is not a bad sign.

Before you go

Eat first. Do not go on an empty stomach. The baby has to be awake and moving for the radiologist to get clear images.

Something sweet or sour about fifteen minutes before helps. Juice works. So does walking for ten minutes in the corridor.

Ask the centre in advance if your husband or mother can come in. Some allow it for this scan even when they do not allow it for the others.

The questions

A good radiologist tells you most of this on their own. Many will not. If yours is quiet, ask.

1. Are all the organs formed and measuring as expected for this week?
2. Where is my placenta, and how far is it from the OS?
3. Is the baby's growth on track? Which percentile?
4. What is my cervical length?
5. Where is the cord placed?
6. Is anything in the report marked for follow up?
7. Do I need another scan, and when?

Ask for the report to be explained line by line before you leave. Not in the car. Not at midnight with Google open.

If something gets flagged

Some findings sound frightening and turn out to be common. A bright spot on the heart. A small cyst in the brain. A nasal bone measuring slightly differently on each side.

Ask one question: does this change anything about my care, or is it only being noted?

Then ask your gynaecologist the same thing. Not the internet.

One more thing

Almost every woman who wrote about her scan day said some version of the same sentence. She was terrified walking in. One was sweating so much she forgot every question she had planned. Another said she was more scared than her baby.

So write your questions on your phone the night before. Hand the phone to whoever comes with you.

Then breathe, and go meet your baby.