20 Weeks Pregnant: What to Expect from Your Anatomy Ultrasound
October 4, 2024
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If you are scheduled for a pregnancy ultrasound in Ontario, you may be curious about what to expect. This guide will cover how many ultrasounds are typically recommended, whether you need a referral, estimated wait times and other commonly asked questions about the ultrasound process.
We’ll also explain how to access your ultrasound results. While some patients receive their results during a follow-up appointment, PocketHealth offers faster access by notifying you as soon as your report is finalized. This early access allows you to review your results and prepare any questions for your doctor.
The number of recommended prenatal ultrasounds can vary depending on your specific health situation. Generally, two standard ultrasounds are performed during pregnancy, but there are several reasons why additional scans may be necessary. Below is an overview of the two typical ultrasounds and why they are used.
Many patients undergo an ultrasound before their 14th week of pregnancy to check fetal size, confirm multiples, or monitor development in patients with health concerns. The primary reason for this early scan is to confirm gestational age by measuring the crown-rump length, which helps determine an accurate due date. While typically done between 11 and 14 weeks, a 6-week ultrasound may be recommended, especially if the conception date is unclear.
Ultrasounds are performed by a trained technician or sonographer using a handheld device called a transducer. This device sends high-frequency sound waves through your body, which bounce back to create images of your fetus on a screen. These images are used to measure and assess your baby’s growth.
For scans between 6 and 12 weeks, you may need a transvaginal ultrasound. In this case, the transducer is gently inserted into the vagina for clearer imaging angles, especially when the baby is still very small. Although this procedure shouldn’t be painful, notify the technician if you feel any discomfort.
For ultrasounds at 12 weeks or later, you’ll likely have an abdominal ultrasound. The technician will apply gel to your abdomen and glide the transducer over your belly to capture images of the growing fetus. Most later ultrasounds will follow this method, as the baby is large enough to be seen through the abdominal wall. You may be asked to have a full bladder, as this improves the clarity of the images. The dating scan typically lasts around 30 minutes.
The second routine ultrasound typically occurs between 18 and 20 weeks gestation. Known as the anatomy scan, this ultrasound is used to assess the baby’s organs, measure growth, and determine the baby’s sex. For most patients, this is the final ultrasound of the pregnancy, though additional scans may be necessary for those with gestational diabetes, other health conditions, or if they’re expecting multiples. These extra scans are used to monitor the baby’s development and ensure everything is progressing normally in more complex pregnancies.
This ultrasound is conducted externally, using a transducer on the abdomen. Because the anatomy scan involves detailed measurements and assessments of various structures like organs, the spine, and placenta, it takes longer than most routine ultrasounds. The average scan lasts about 30 to 45 minutes, though it can extend to an hour, particularly for those expecting multiples.
The sonographer will capture detailed images of your baby’s development, and you might need to change positions if the baby’s angle makes it difficult to get clear images. Similar to earlier ultrasounds, you’ll likely be asked to have a full bladder to improve image clarity during part of the exam.
Nuchal translucency ultrasound
A Nuchal translucency ultrasound is an optional scan typically offered during the first trimester. This specialized ultrasound measures the fluid behind the baby’s neck and compares it to standard baselines. Extra fluid may suggest a higher risk of genetic or congenital conditions, such as Down syndrome. However, it’s important to remember that even if the results show a higher risk, it doesn’t confirm your baby has these conditions. Additional tests will be recommended to provide more clarity if necessary.
Though not a routine scan, the NT ultrasound is covered by provincial health insurance (OHIP) with a referral from your healthcare provider. Timing is crucial for this scan—it must be performed between 11 and 14 weeks for accurate results. After 14 weeks, the fluid behind the neck is reabsorbed into the baby, limiting its diagnostic value.
For patients with valid Ontario healthcare coverage (OHIP), most ultrasounds are covered. Exceptions include elective scans, such as 3D and 4D ultrasounds. If you don’t have a valid health card or if you are going to a private clinic, you will also need to pay for your scans. Typical prenatal ultrasounds can cost between $300 and $500, depending on the individual clinic and their prices.
You will need a referral from your doctor to get an ultrasound performed in Ontario and other parts of Canada. This is generally the case even for private clinics.
Get fast access to your ultrasound results
Wait times for scheduling an ultrasound can often stretch for weeks, especially during peak hours like early mornings, late afternoons, and lunch breaks when patients typically take time off work. To avoid delays, try calling multiple clinics to compare availability, and consider being flexible with your schedule to secure an appointment more easily. If possible, it’s a good idea to book your scans well in advance, especially if your pregnancy is more complex, such as carrying multiples, which may require more frequent ultrasounds.
Most ultrasound clinics welcome a patient’s partner to attend a pregnancy scan, and many patients find comfort in having someone there for support and to share the moment. If you’re thinking of bringing additional people or children, it’s best to check with the clinic ahead of time, as policies may vary. Some sonographers prefer to limit distractions to ensure accurate imaging. For family and friends who cannot attend, PocketHealth offers an easy and secure way to share your ultrasound images online. You can email the images or download them for sharing in other ways.
Here are some answers to common questions regarding obtaining your ultrasound results, including how long they typically take and how to access them.
Frequently, patients won’t receive their ultrasound results until their follow-up appointment or phone call with their doctor. The ultrasound technician is not permitted to discuss the images during the scan, which often means waiting for the radiologist to interpret them and your doctor to communicate with you. PocketHealth provides instant access to images and finished reports, sometimes even before your doctor has reviewed them. This gives you the chance to review your results and be prepared for your appointment.
Some clinics or imaging facilities may offer online portals to view your ultrasound results, depending on their individual policies and capabilities. Through PocketHealth, you can request your imaging records from over 800 hospitals and clinics. This allows PocketHealth to provide fast, secure access to your imaging reports, even when the facility doesn’t have an online patient portal. This was especially helpful for Ruth, who was able to view all of her ultrasounds in one place without digging through years of records.
Interpreting your ultrasound report can seem a bit confusing, and the official interpretation should come from your doctor or medical provider. However, understanding the basics of your results can help you have more informed conversations with your physician. Here are some common fetal biometry measurement acronyms you’ll likely see in your ultrasound reports:
As your pregnancy progresses, you can expect to see more detailed aspects of fetal development. Here is a general idea of what to expect:
Report Reader is another tool to help you decipher your ultrasounds. It enhances this process by translating technical medical terminology into easy-to-understand language, helping you better understand your report.
Keeping track of your medical reports and ultrasound scans is simple with PocketHealth. All of your medical imaging is in one secure location and accessed anytime you need.
