Ultrasound scan in pregnancy at 11-14 weeks

Why is the examination performed?

An ultrasound scan in pregnancy between 11 and 14 weeks is a mandatory examination according to the guidelines of the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians. It is performed after the 11th week but before the start of the 14th week of pregnancy, i.e. up to a gestational age of 13 weeks and 6 days.

The examination covers:

• heart rate;
• foetal nuchal translucency;
• foetal position;
• amniotic membrane;
• foetal nasal bone;
• venous flow;
• tricuspid valve flow.

The presence of a nasal bone and the nuchal translucency (NT) value are crucial in assessing the risk of chromosomal aberrations, including Down syndrome. For this reason, patients often call the ultrasound examination between weeks 11 and 14 a “genetic ultrasound”.

What does the examination look like?

An ultrasound scan in pregnancy between 11 and 14 weeks is performed through the abdomen. The patient lies down on a bed and exposes her abdomen, while the doctor applies a special gel onto the device head to obtain good-quality images. The gel applied on the skin may cause discomfort as it feels cold and sticky, but the unpleasant sensations end as soon as the test is completed. We recommend reporting for the examination in clothing that makes it easy to expose the abdomen.

The ultrasound examination is safe for both the woman and the foetus.

The examination includes an assessment of:

• foetal ovum: number of gestational follicles and foetuses in the uterine cavity;
• foetal heart function (FHR);
• biometric measurements such as crown rump length and biparietal diameter;
• foetal anatomy: cranium, abdominal wall, stomach, heart, spine, upper and lower limbs, chorion in multiple pregnancies.

• No referral for the examination is required.
• There are no significant contraindications to the examination.
• You should bring your medical records to the examination, if available: results of previous ultrasound examinations (if performed), hospital information sheets, etc.
• The duration of the examination is approximately 15-20 minutes.
• The result of the examination (medical description with a photo) is available immediately after the examination.