Ultrasound scan in pregnancy at 28-32 weeks

Why is the examination performed?

An ultrasound scan in pregnancy between 28 and 32 weeks is a mandatory examination according to the guidelines of the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians.

An ultrasound examination in the third trimester assesses:

• foetal positioning,
• placenta,
• umbilical cord,
• amount of amniotic fluid,
• cervix.

The doctor also assesses the foetal anatomy:

• head,
• neck,
• skull,
• brain,
• spine,
• chest,
• heart,
• abdominal cavity,
• kidneys,
• bladder,
• limb bones.

The examination makes it possible to determine whether the foetus is developing normally and whether there are any signs suggesting the presence of birth defects.

During the examination, the doctor may also attempt to identify gender.

What does the examination look like?

An ultrasound scan in pregnancy between 28 and 32 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.

• A referral for the test is not required. There are no contraindications to its performance.
• 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 test.