As part of your antenatal care we are offering to do a scan of your pregnancy between 18 weeks to 20 weeks. This scan is referred to as Mid Trimester Anomaly Scan (MTAS) or Targeted Imaging For Fetal Anomalies(TIFFA).
Why is this scan being done?
This scan is done to check that your baby is normal. Most babies are healthy, but sadly some have problems which could be serious. This is a detailed scan to assess:
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A detailed assessment of fetal structure to rule out any abnormalities.
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To reassess risk of chromosomal abnormalities(Genetic Sonogram).
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To reassess blood flow from mother to the baby.(Uterine Artery Doppler).
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Cervical length assessment to assess the risk of pretem delivery.
Who will do the scan?
Fetal scans are usually done by a doctor (Obstetrician & Gynecologist/ Radiologist) trained in ultrasound, known as a fetal medicine specialist. They will discuss regarding the scan with you once the scan is over.
How should I prepare myself for the scan?
First of all, please book you scan well in advance to avoid undue stress. On the scheduled day, you should have your regular meals and come on time for your scan appointment. There is no need to fast or fill your bladder. In fact for some scans we may advise you to empty your bladder for better imaging. As this is a very important scan, the Fetal medicine doctor will make an attempt to see each of the fetus clearly- this is sometimes a tedious process as the fetus may not be in a favorable position at time of the first attempt and the doctor would wait till the fetus moves naturally in the womb to help visualize its anatomy better.
This is common situation and you should not get anxious when the doctor says=”the baby is not in a good position for see the heart well”- this only means that we have to wait for the fetus around and the views will get better!!
Scan appointments can sometimes get delayed and the ultrasound scan itself may take longer than anticipated. Please carry some reading material with you(novels, newspapers,magazines) which will enable you to pass your time. If you wish to, you can carry some snacks and juices. There is a canteen in the hospital.
The scan will involve you lying down on a couch, and a doctor(fetal medicine specialist) putting scan gel and then the scan probe onto your abdomen. This give images on the screen which allow measurements of the baby and give moving pictures. These can be quite difficult to see clearly, but the scan operator will try to ensure that all is well.
What can I expect from this scan?
You will be given a report the structure and growth of the fetus. Many important structural defects can be picked up at the anomaly scan and hence a normal reports is very reassuring. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware that while about half of the major abnormalities which cause serious difficulties will be seen on a scan, half of such problems will not be seen. This means that even if your scan is normal there is a small chance that your baby will still have a problem.
If the scan finds a problem you will be told at the time of the scan that there is a problem, but a full discussion of the problem may require may require you to come back to hospital for a further scan and discussion with allied specialist. Most problem that need repeat scanning are not serious and approximately 15% of scan will need to be repeated for reason or another. Please note that we DO NOT determine the sex of the baby ultrasound scan. Therefore we request you not to ask for this information.
Below is list of different types of congenital abnormality, and how likely scanning to identify each problem. The report is generally followed by a declaration of the limitations of the scan and an undertaking that while conducting antenatal scans, WE DO NOT REVEL THE SEX OF THE FETUS TO ANYBODY IN ANY MANNER. Please also check the dates allotted for the follow-up scan/counseling session and book your appointments well in advance for the same.
