4 min read · What to expect from the mid-pregnancy ultrasound
The 20-week scan can be an exciting appointment.
Your baby is much larger than at the early dating scan. You may see a profile, hands, feet, a moving body — perhaps even a yawn or stretch if you are lucky.
But this appointment has an important medical purpose.
The 20-week scan, also known as an anatomy scan, anomaly scan or mid-pregnancy scan, examines your baby's development and growth in detail.
When is the anatomy scan performed?
Timing varies slightly between healthcare systems.
In the NHS, the screening scan is usually performed between approximately 18 and 21 weeks.
Your own healthcare provider will tell you when your appointment should take place.
What does the sonographer look at?
The sonographer examines your baby's anatomy and growth using ultrasound.
Depending on local screening protocols, they may assess structures including the:
- brain and head;
- face;
- spine;
- heart;
- abdomen;
- kidneys and bladder;
- arms and legs;
- placenta;
- amniotic fluid.
Measurements are also taken to assess growth.
Owloo Insight
This is a screening scan, not a guarantee.
Ultrasound can identify some physical conditions, but it cannot detect every possible condition or predict every aspect of your baby's future health.
What might you see?
Compared with your first-trimester scan, your baby may now fill much more of the screen.
You might see:
- the curve of the spine;
- the profile of the face;
- tiny hands and feet;
- the heart beating;
- stretching or turning;
- your baby's arms and legs moving.
Can you find out the baby's sex?
Sometimes, depending on your baby's position, local policy and whether you want to know.
But determining sex is not the main purpose of the scan.
Your baby's position may also make it difficult or impossible for the sonographer to assess sex during the appointment.
What if the sonographer cannot see everything?
Babies do not always cooperate with ultrasound appointments.
Your baby's position can make certain views difficult to obtain. Depending on the situation and local protocol, you may be asked to change position, move around or return for another scan.
This does not automatically mean that something is wrong.
A Little Memory to Keep
Your ultrasound image may become one of your favourite pregnancy keepsakes.
Make a digital copy and write the week of pregnancy beside it before placing the original somewhere safe.
What happens if something needs another look?
If the scan identifies something that needs clarification, your healthcare team will explain what they have seen and what happens next.
You may be offered another ultrasound, additional testing or an appointment with a specialist.
Try not to interpret ultrasound images yourself or compare them with images online. Your sonographer and medical team are trained to interpret the findings in the context of your pregnancy.
Hello World Kit | 0–6 months
At the anatomy scan you may see tiny hands, feet and movements on a screen. After birth, those same little hands begin reaching, exploring and discovering. The Owloo Hello World Kit is created for those first six months.
Explore the Hello World Kit
Frequently asked questions
When is the 20-week scan done?
Timing varies between healthcare systems. In the NHS, it is usually performed between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy.
What does the anatomy scan check?
The scan examines your baby's growth and a range of anatomical structures, including the brain, spine, heart, face, abdomen, kidneys and limbs.
Can you find out the baby's sex at the 20-week scan?
It may be possible depending on your baby's position and local policy, but identifying sex is not the medical purpose of the scan.
Does a normal 20-week scan mean the baby has no health conditions?
No. The scan can identify some physical conditions, but ultrasound cannot detect every possible condition.
The Owloo approach
You walk into the room carrying a bump.
You may walk out having seen a profile, ten little toes or a hand beside a tiny face.
A medical appointment — and sometimes an unforgettable glimpse of who you are waiting for.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
Tina Krapez is the Co-founder and COO of Owloo, where she helps create thoughtful products and educational resources supporting families from pregnancy through their baby's earliest development.
Sources and further reading
