What abnormalities can be seen at 12-week scan

If your pregnancy is going well, your first ultrasound scan will be your dating scan, at around 12 weeks of pregnancy. You'll usually be offered screening for Down's syndrome at the same time.

Your midwife will arrange your first ultrasound appointment for you. You may need an earlier scan if you have problems in early pregnancy, such as bleeding, or if you have a history of recurrent miscarriage.

When will I have my dating scan?

Your dating scan is usually offered between about 10 weeks and 14 weeks.

Chances of problems at 12-week scan

For most women, the dating scan is their first scan.

During the scan, the sonographer will put gel on your tummy and move the transducer over your skin.

Your sonographer will show you an image of your baby on the screen, and then they'll look closely at the image to:

• Measure your baby's length from their head to their bottom, called the crown rump length (CRL).

  This will date your pregnancy.

• Reveal whether you're carrying one baby, twins, or more.
• Check your baby's heart
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