Anatomy Scans

Re: Anatomy Scans

• redfallon member

  July 2015

  They are taking several different measurements of the baby to make sure that everything is as it should be. When we had the one with DD, they had a projection up on the wall of the tech's screen so that we could see everything clearly. We also were able to take home a USB stick with pictures and some 3 second videos. I think this is also when DH finally got the "aha!" that this was really happening. His face got that aha look when I told him to look at where the tech's wand was on my belly and how it corresponded with the screen.
  
  https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-testing/ultrasound-anatomy-two.aspx
  

  Jamie

  
  

  
  

   

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• misamima member

  July 2015 edited July 2015

  It's a bit longer than the initial dating ultrasound. The tech measures baby from crown to rump to make sure everything is growing and sizing up accordingly. They also take a closer look at all the organs (heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, etc.), basically the entire anatomy of baby. I loved the anatomy scan because you literally see every angle of baby and it's amazing how much of an actual baby they look (if that makes sense). I'm not sure if it's common practice for all practices, but I got to take home so many pictures in all angles.
  
  It was the most exciting, and nerve racking, appointment for me because it's when you get to see baby in detail, but also find out if there are any abnormalities or delays in growth.
  
  There's an ultrasound tech here on the board but can't recall her name. Hopefully she sees this post and chimes in with more detail of what they look for on their end as a tech.
  
  ETA: The ultrasound tech bumpie is @rhonash.

  
  
  

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• rgz member

  July 2015

  I just had mine last week and was anxious for it as well. During mine the tech explained what she was looking for with each new angle/measurement being taken and I could also see how she was labeling all the photos of body parts as she went along. At first it was such an overwhelming feeling to see the baby moving so much and made the pregnancy feel so much for 'real' for me - if that makes sense. It was a big sense of relief after (whole thing was about 45 mins) to know the baby is developing on track!! I'm excited for you and everyone else who has their upcoming scans!

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• rmj28 member

  July 2015

  misamima said:

  It's a bit longer than the initial dating ultrasound. The tech measures baby from crown to rump to make sure everything is growing and sizing up accordingly. They also take a closer look at all the organs (heart, kidneys, lungs, liver, etc.), basically the entire anatomy of baby. I loved the anatomy scan because you literally see every angle of baby and it's amazing how much of an actual baby they look (if that makes sense). I'm not sure if it's common practice for all practices, but I got to take home so many pictures in all angles.
  
  It was the most exciting, and nerve racking, appointment for me because it's when you get to see baby in detail, but also find out if there are any abnormalities or delays in growth.
  
  There's an ultrasound tech here on the board but can't recall her name. Hopefully she sees this post and chimes in with more detail of what they look for on their end as a tech.

  This. We have had two and have a third at 26 weeks along with a fetal echocardiogram but we have a million appointments for things like this since our son has Down syndrome, so we get every test in the book. I LOVE the anatomy scans because they are long and detailed and I get to see him in every which way. Today, he sucked his thumb through our amniocentesis.
  
  The measurements are interesting to me. Measuring the legs and arms, head size.. They look at the blood vessels in the cord, chambers of the heart, hemispheres and membrane in the brain, gastrointestinal systems. It's very interesting and fun. I love getting to see my boy.

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• 313Meg member

  July 2015

  redfallon said:

  They are taking several different measurements of the baby to make sure that everything is as it should be. When we had the one with DD, they had a projection up on the wall of the tech's screen so that we could see everything clearly. We also were able to take home a USB stick with pictures and some 3 second videos. I think this is also when DH finally got the "aha!" that this was really happening. His face got that aha look when I told him to look at where the tech's wand was on my belly and how it corresponded with the screen.
  
  https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/prenatal-testing/ultrasound-anatomy-two.aspx
  

  This

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• beccabeeee member

  July 2015

  Mine too is also around the corner, and am so excited to see a more in depth picture and how much the baby has changed from the last NT scan. I definitely understand what you ladies mean when you get the feeling that this is the real deal. It was funny because the last scan my tech was showing us all these different views of the baby and then she did a frontal of the face and was like "that's probably the only part that doesn't totally look like a baby yet" lol we all just kind of giggled but I loved it! There's nothing better than seeing your baby move around and active on the screen. It's crazy to see the baby move so much and then think like "how can I not feel that?" This will be the second ultrasound my husband will be going to and see the baby. I was constantly looked over at him to see his reaction and it was just priceless, he was smiling from ear to ear and kept saying how cool it was. This is our first baby so our last scan I don't think we were expecting to see the baby looking so developed =]

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• chewie5990 member

  July 2015

  Feeling bummed after reading this! My Dr told me that during the anatomy scan they turn the screen away from you while taking all the measurements of course we will get to see the LO after the tech is done with the actual scan. It sounds much more cool and interesting though to see all the angles and such. Hopefully the tech will go over everything with us and we will still get some great photos of our LO.
  
  2 more weeks to go!

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• janma529 member

  July 2015

  @chewie5990 - That seems so odd to me!  Do you think your doctor meant they'll turn it away when they're trying to determine the sex..?

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• AlejandraN2 member

  July 2015

  PPs covered almost everything. What I'd suggest is to ask questions. Ultrasound technicians - some talk a lot some don't talk at all. So ask them what they are seeing, and to point out each part. It's really exciting to see every part of your baby. Sometimes you'll get really cute movements like a little wave or sucking its thumb or blocking his/her eyes. We saw our baby yawn one time and it was just so cute. It's definitely a nerve wracking appointment and I'm the super annoying mom that asks things like oh is that normal, so it that measurement normal, etc etc, but they cut us some slack since my first baby was diagnosed with a cardiac issue so they are extra sensitive and careful. It can take up to an hour and usually after the appointment the doctor will come talk to you and let you know how things are looking (i'm sure everything will be fine for you). Good luck! 

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