The first scan is a very moving experience, and for most Dads, this is when reality hits - “My God we’re having a baby!” Until now, all you have had is blue line on a stick that your partner has peed on and severe case of PMT as confirmation that your partner is pregnant!

So what is an Ultrasound Scan?

An Ultrasound Scan transmits high frequency sound waves through the body and in this case, your baby. The sound waves bounce off solid objects and the returning echoes are translated in to an image that is displayed on a monitor.

In most cases this will be a black and white two dimensional image, with bones being displayed in white, organs in grey and the amniotic fluid in black. In reality the scans are very grainy and it is hard to see anything without the Sonographer pointing it out to you.

In a few centres it is also possible to have a three dimensional scan, this is of much higher clarity and gives a detailed view of your baby, allowing for better diagnosis if any anomalies have been detected.

Most couples will have two scans. The first will be between 10 and 14 weeks and is used to:

· Confirm and date the pregnancy

· Check for twins (or more)

· In most centres a Nuchal Fold Translucency Scan to check the risk of Downs Syndrome

In this first scan, your baby is small enough for you to see the whole body on the screen at once and most hospitals will let you take away a printed image of your baby from the scan. There is usually a small charge, so be prepared and make sure you have some cash with you to pay for this.
 
At between 20 and 23 weeks your partner will have a second scan, in this scan the Sonographer is going to:

· Check the baby’s skeleton and major organs for abnormalities

· Check the health of the Placenta

· Monitor the baby’s growth

You will be able to see your baby in much more detail in this scan, as they are so much larger. Their skeletons and organs are now nearly fully developed and you will be able to see their face shape and their fingers and toes.

The Sonographer can also usually tell the sex of the baby by this stage and you may be asked if you wish to know. Not all hospitals will tell you the sex of the baby and if they do, remember that it is not 100% reliable. If you do not want to know the sex of the baby it is a good idea to let the Sonographer know at the beginning of the scan so that it doesn’t come out by accident.

 Although most couples will only have two scans, in some cases scans may be necessary at the beginning of the pregnancy to check the viability of the pregnancy or if the doctor feels that there may be a problem such as an ectopic pregnancy. Scans at the end of the pregnancy may also be necessary to check the growth of the baby (if the baby appears to be larger or smaller than is deemed “typical”), if you have twins (or more) or if the mother has high blood pressure.

Further information can be found on the NHS direct website:

http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?printPage=1&articleId=382