12 week pregnancy
31 weeks gestation
Umbilical Cord
Services | Pregnancy Ultrasound
A Medical Imaging technologist called a sonographer will conduct your ultrasound. The sonographer will produce the best possible sonographic images of your baby. These images will then be diagnosed by the radiologist, a specialist doctor, and a copy of the reported findings is sent to the doctor who requested the ultrasound.
Our sonographers care about you and your baby. Capturing the full detail of your moving baby on ultrasound is exciting for you, but also technically demanding for the sonographer. Please do not be alarmed if a sonographer re-examines a part of your baby or asks the radiologist to be in attendance during your ultrasound. It may be necessary in order to achieve the best images of your body.
Your Examination
We understand that this is an exciting and important time for you and your partner.
It is extremely important that the sonographer is not distracted while performing the medical requirements of the ultrasound - approximately 20 minutes.
After this has been completed the sonographer can show you the real-time ultrasound of your baby.
Please understand that the ultrasound examination has limitation and is unable to exclude all problems or potential problems with your baby's development and well being.
Your questions
We understand that you may have many questions about your baby. Please realize that it may not be appropriate for our sonographers to answer these questions. Your doctor will receive a copy of the report and can then discuss your baby's development with you. Your own doctor has all the relevant information about your individual pregnancy and is the best person to answer any questions.
Boy or Girl?
We are often asked whether it is possible to predict a baby's sex. On some occasions our sonographer will become aware of a baby's sex during the course of the examination. In this instance they will only advise you if you have specifically asked to be told.
First Trimester Screen
The First Trimester Screen is a test for Downs Syndrome performed early in pregnancy between the 11 th and 13 th week. The test is a combination of a pathology blood test and a nuchal translucency ultrasound examination.
The FTS is a risk assessment test to determine if you are at high risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality such as Downs Syndrome. It does not diagnose the abnormality; it only predicts the probability of this abnormality being present.
What is my risk?
All women regardless of age have a small risk of giving birth to a baby with a physical or chromosomal abnormality. The FTS test can provide assessment that your risk is either less than or greater than the average risk for your age.
Nuchal Translucency Test
The Nuchal Translucency test is part of an obstetric ultrasound examination. As the test can only be performed between 11weeks and 13weeks 6 days of pregnancy, please make your appointment as soon as you receive the referral from your doctor.
What is Nuchal Translucency?
All babies retain small amounts of fluid around the head and neck at 11 -13 weeks gestation. The thickness of this collection of fluid behind the neck is measured during your ultrasound scan. There is usually a slight increase in the amount of this fluid when the fetus has a chromosomal abnormality. The collection of fluid is called the nuchal translucency as it appears “translucent” on ultrasound, and is located at the back of the neck (nuchal).
Why should I have this study?
The NT test is part of a non-invasive ultrasound study that provides information for your doctor about the relative risk of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality. Additional benefits of the ultrasound study include confirmation that the fetus is alive, accurate dating of the pregnancy, early diagnosis of major physical defects and the detection of a multiple pregnancy.
Is there any special preparation?
You will need to have a full bladder for the ultrasound examination. Empty your bladder one hour prior to the appointment, and then drink 500mls of fluid, finishing 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you know the date of your last period, please tell the sonographer when you are taken in for your scan.
How is the test performed?
A routine transabdominal obstetric ultrasound is performed to assess fetal anatomy. Particular care is taken to measure the nuchal translucency. In approximately 10% of cases a transvaginal (internal) ultrasound scan may be required to gain a more accurate measurement.
Who performs the study?
The examination will be conducted by a specialist sonographer accredited and licensed by the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) in London . A South Coast Radiology radiologist will report on the ultrasound examination, including your individual risk.
Pathology Blood Test
The blood test measures two chemicals PAPP-A and free ß hCG. These chemicals are produced by the placenta and cross into your bloodstream. In Downs Syndrome pregnancies the levels of these chemicals in your bloodstream can be abnormal. Please note that this test is performed by a pathology company, not South Coast Radiology.
When should I have my blood test?
You should have you blood test taken at least 3 days prior to your ultrasound scan. Please inform the pathology branch that you are attending that you are also having an ultrasound at SCR. The pathology lab will forward your results to South Coast Radiology to be available for the day of your scan.
First Trimester Screen
How are the results calculated?
South Coast Radiology uses the Fetal Medicine Foundation software accredited for calculating the risk of Downs Syndrome. The program calculates an individual risk for your pregnancy, taking into account – your age, the gestational age of your baby, the thickness of the nuchal translucency and the pathology test results.
When do I get the results?
Your ultrasound together with a copy of the report will be delivered to your doctor on the following working day.
Your result may also be available for collection at the completion of the scan.
How reliable is the test?
FTS is the most accurate first trimester screening test for chromosomal abnormalities currently available. A low risk cannot exclude Downs Syndrome or other chromosomal disorders, as it is not a diagnostic test.
If you choose to have the nuchal translucency alone, the detection rate is approximately 75-80%. If you have the combined FTS the detection rate improves to approximately 90%.
The test can also give a false high-risk score for a baby that does not have a chromosomal abnormality. This false positive result will occur in approximately 5% of pregnancies tested.
Your doctor will still require the 18-20 week morphology ultrasound study to assess fetal anatomy.
What do the results mean?
The result only indicates the risk of a fetal chromosomal abnormality.
A low risk score does not mean NO risk, and a high risk score does not definitely mean that your baby has a chromosomal abnormality.
To acquire diagnosis of a chromosomal abnormality, a CVS or amniocentesis would need to be performed.
Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in this field if required.
Feedback
To complete our records and Quality Assurance on our technique, and to contribute to the ongoing 11 – 14 week study by the Fetal Medicine Foundation it is essential that we are aware of the outcome of your pregnancy. We request your co-operation to complete the form given to you by our staff and return in the reply paid envelope.
With your help we can continue to monitor and improve information for pregnant women and their babies for the future.
If you should have any questions concerning this test, please discuss these with our sonographer during your examination.
First Trimester Risk Assessment is provided at the following SCR locations .
John Flynn Private Hospital
Robina
Pindara Private Hospital
Southport
Runaway Bay
Palm Beach
Tweed Heads