Checking the growth, development and heart health of your pēpi
Fetal anatomy scans and echocardiograms are ultrasounds used to check the growth, development, and heart health of your pēpi during pregnancy.
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Fetal anatomy scan
A fetal anatomy scan is an ultrasound done between 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy to check the growth and development of pēpi. It checks to see pēpi is growing and developing normally.
The scan takes about 30 minutes. You will lie on your back while the sonographer applies gel to your tummy and moves a probe over it to take pictures of your pēpi. You can bring a whānau member, but it is best not to bring small children.
The scan checks:
- your baby’s size and growth
- the baby’s head, heart, spine, limbs, and abdomen
- the fluid around the baby and placenta.
You may also able be able to find out the sex of your pēpi if you want to.
The scan checks to see your pēpi is formed normally, but it cannot find all issues, especially those that develop later or after birth. The position of pēpi or your body shape may also affect what can be seen.
Fetal echocardiogram scan
A fetal echocardiogram is a special ultrasound of your baby’s heart, usually done around 20 weeks, to check for heart defects.
The process is like the anatomy scan. You will lie on your back while gel is applied to your tummy, and the sonographer takes pictures of your baby's heart. This test takes about 45 minutes, and you can bring whānau members with you.
The fetal echocardiogram checks:
- the heart chambers, valves, and blood vessels of pēpi
- most heart defects that could affect pēpi.
Sometimes, the position of pēpi or your body shape may make it hard to see certain parts of the heart. Some heart defects may only be found after birth.