Pregnancy ultrasound: all ultrasounds in our own practice
Pregnancy ultrasounds from early ultrasound to extended 20-week ultrasound
If you are pregnant, you are probably curious to know when you will be able to look at your baby and what the ultrasound will show. You may also want to know which ultrasounds are covered, how many ultrasounds you will get and how an ultrasound is conducted. And perhaps you are also curious about an ultrasound which reveals the gender of your child or a 3D ultrasound. We give you an overview below.
You are welcome to join us for all pregnancy ultrasounds.
≥ 7 weeks
10 - 12 weeks
13 weeks
14+ weeks
20 weeks
30-34 weeks
36 weeks
Vitality check (early ultrasound)
A vitality ultrasound is an early ultrasound that checks the fetus’s viability. We offer a vitality ultrasound after you’ve had some vaginal bleeding or if you’re experiencing severe cramping. Even if you’re worried, you can easily have a vitality ultrasound. A vitality ultrasound isn’t always covered by basic health insurance. You can have this ultrasound from approximately 7 weeks of pregnancy. The ultrasound technician checks the heartbeat and whether everything looks normal for the duration of the pregnancy. If you have the ultrasound before 9 weeks of pregnancy, we usually perform a vaginal ultrasound, as otherwise, there’s insufficient visibility through the abdomen.
Dating ultrasound
13-week ultrasound or ETSEO
The 13-week ultrasound scan, or ETSEO (First Trimester Structural Ultrasound Examination), is performed by a qualified and qualified sonographer. This ultrasound is performed as part of the scientific IMITAS study. You can participate from 12 weeks and 3 days up to and including 14 weeks and 3 days of pregnancy. The sonographer uses an ultrasound device to examine the skull, heart, abdomen, arms and legs, and spine. They also examine the placenta and whether the amniotic fluid level is normal. The ultrasound is performed externally through the abdomen. Sometimes a vaginal ultrasound (internal) is necessary to better assess the baby. You will be informed about this ultrasound during your intake.
Why 13-week ultrasound
During the examination, a large proportion (about 50%) of abnormalities are found that otherwise would not have been detected until the 20-week ultrasound. The advantage of this is that it allows additional testing and a treatment plan to be made earlier in consultation with you. When there are abnormalities in the baby’s disposition early in the pregnancy, you have more time to think about further testing and what you want to do with the results.
Deviant finding
In about 5 out of 100 pregnant women, the sonographer discovers something that may indicate an abnormality. It is not always clear if that discovery is correct, how serious it is and what it means for the baby. When something abnormal is seen, you are told immediately. You can then opt for follow-up testing.
unjustifiably worried
You choose whether you want to have a 13-week ultrasound. We will inform you about this at your intake. Remember that the ultrasound offers no guarantees. You may see abnormalities that – afterwards – turn out to be nothing. So you may be unjustly worried. Conversely, things can also be missed.
Gender determination
From 14 weeks of pregnancy, it’s possible to determine whether you’re having a boy or a girl. This ultrasound is not covered by your health insurance. The cost is €55.
20-week ultrasound or TTSEO
The 20-week ultrasound scan, or TTSEO (Second Trimester Structural Ultrasound Examination), is an ultrasound scan performed by a qualified and qualified ultrasound technician and is covered by the basic health insurance package.
Tijdens de 20‑wekenecho onderzoekt zij uitgebreid de ontwikkeling van de organen van de baby. Ze controleert ze of er eventuele aanwezigheid is van afwijkingen zoals een open ruggetje of een open schedeltje. Ook onderzoekt ze of de baby goed groeit en of er voldoende vruchtwater is.
The 20-week ultrasound is a fairly reliable method of detecting serious birth abnormalities. If you choose to get this ultrasound, keep in mind that other abnormalities may also be seen. The ultrasound itself does not carry any risks.
An abnormal outcome
If something abnormal is found during the 20-week ultrasound scan, the consequences for the baby are not always clear. If something is found, you will always be offered follow-up testing. During a consultation with us or the gynecologist, you will be fully informed about the follow-up testing. You can also contact them for questions or support. You decide for each scan whether you want this.
Follow-up in case of abnormal results
The follow-up examination consists of a comprehensive ultrasound examination or Advanced Ultrasound Examination (GUO) by a gynecologist. Sometimes you may also be offered an amniocentesis or blood test.
Follow-up research, and then?
If follow-up testing reveals that your baby has a condition, you will always meet with one or more doctors to discuss everything and make certain appropriate choices.
Growth scans
Growth scans are not routinely performed because research has shown that standard scans do not lead to better outcomes. If there is an indication for a growth scan during your pregnancy, we will always discuss this with you. Indications may include: a previously born baby with a low or high birth weight, the use of certain medications, or being overweight or underweight. We also perform growth scans easily during pregnancy if our external examination gives us any doubts about the baby’s growth. Typically, you will have (at least) two growth scans, two weeks apart, to obtain a growth curve that allows us to assess whether the baby is growing according to its own growth pattern.
What is measured by a growth ultrasound?
The ultrasound technician measures the baby’s head, waist circumference, and leg length, allowing her to calculate the estimated weight. This allows her to determine whether the baby is growing as expected.
Position ultrasound
At 36 weeks, we sometimes perform a position scan; this scan checks whether the baby is head-down (cephalic presentation). Your baby’s position is important information in preparing for delivery.
The ultrasound allows the sonographer to see how the baby is positioned. This is usually the cephalic presentation, but a small number of babies (3-5%) are breech. Another possibility is that the baby is transverse, which is rare.
If the baby is not in the head position by 36 weeks, we will discuss further options with you, such as the possibility of a version (external turning of the baby).
Get in touch with the practice
Still in doubt? Would you like more information? Or would you like to come and meet our midwives? You can contact us without any obligation. We will call you to answer all your questions or to meet soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
An ultrasound uses sound waves to create images that allow us to examine the baby. There are different types of ultrasounds, each with its own purpose. In early pregnancy, it checks whether there are one or two babies and whether there’s a heartbeat. It also calculates the exact gestational age.
The 13- and 20-week ultrasounds check for any abnormalities in the baby.
A growth ultrasound, performed in the third trimester, examines the baby’s size and position in the womb.
Most ultrasounds take 15 minutes.
The 13- and 20 weeks ultrasounds take about 45 minutes. It takes quite some time to completely check your baby!
Ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create images of a part of the body. These sound waves are inaudible. They are harmless and painless.
An ultrasound isn’t painful.
An internal ultrasound shouldn’t be painful either. Try to relax your pelvic floor during the exam. Let us know right away if you feel any tenderness.
An internal ultrasound is performed if you are less than 10 weeks pregnant or if your uterus is located deep within your abdomen. Sometimes, during the 20-week ultrasound, an internal examination is performed to measure the length of your cervix.