Scans: what to expect

Ultrasound scans offer fathers the exhilarating experience of seeing the baby they helped make. But there’s more to it than exciting pictures. Whether it's determining due dates, anomaly ultrasounds or obsetricians you'll want to be informed. Gavin Evans answers some of the most common questions...

What is a scan?

An ultrasound examination – using high frequency echoes from sound waves. These bounce off the baby and are translated into a computer image showing the baby’s size, position and movement.

Bone reflects white images, soft tissue, grey and speckled and fluids appear black. It is the contrast between these different shades of white, grey and black that allows the images to be interpreted.

What does it involve?

Nowadays, seeing your baby on a scan can form part of the process by which you bond with your baby before the birth.

Cold gel is smeared on your partner’s tummy and then a small, scanning instrument called a transducer is rolled through the gel. The procedure is painless and safe. It can also be done transvaginally (where a probe is inserted into the vagina).

How many are needed?

Usually two – the first at eight to 12 weeks and the second between 16 to 22 weeks (usually week 19 or 20). Sometimes more.

What’s the first scan for?

• locating the pregnancy (make sure it’s inside the womb)
• establishing an accurate due date
• checking the size of your baby (or babies)
• checking on his condition (you will be able to see his heart beating)
• checking for defects  
• The first three months of pregnancy

What’s the second scan for?

This one, often carried out by a doctor (obsetrician or radiographer) is known as the anomaly ultrasound and is more detailed. It checks your baby’s growth rate, heart rate and various other vital organs, including the brain.

It can also tell the baby’s sex (although this isn't always accurate), the amount of amniotic fluid, and whether there are any obvious abnormalities. However, it can’t detect all defects.

• The second three months of pregnancy

Why would she need further scans?

A third scan (and sometimes more) may be advised if:

• there are twins (or more)
• your baby is small (or exceptionally large)
• there’s too much or too little amniotic fluid
• your partner has diabetes or hypertension
• your parner is bleeding
• there’s a risk of premature labour
• Problems in pregnancy: what can happen?

Should fathers attend?

It’s a wonderfully exciting way to connect with your baby – by seeing him in action inside the womb. Some dads say it’s the first time they felt a real bond with their baby. Scans nowadays form part of the process by which you'll bond with your baby.

It’s also a way of supporting your partner (particularly for the anomaly scan, which can be traumatic if the doctor suspects something is going wrong). Remember, bring along money, in case you have to pay for the scan printout picture

• What can a dad expect from a good maternity service?

Can fathers take time off to be at the scans?

Unfortunately, you don’t have a legal right to take time off for the scan, but the Government encourages employers to let fathers take unpaid leave to be present at the scan. Most hospital maternity units will welcome your presence.

Author

Gavin Evans is a father of two daughters - aged 17 and 13 - and lives in North London. 15 years ago he changed gear from being a full-time reporter to full-time parent and part-time journalist. His writing on issues affecting fathers has been published in a wide range of publications including The Guardian, The Independent, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, The Times and The New Statesman. He has written five books on sport, a chapter on men in Your Pregnancy Bible and is completing his first screenplay. Gavin also regularly posts blogs at www.gavinevans.net.

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