Although this is mainly for medical purposes, the bonding with your child truly begins here.  For the woman, the bonding began a long time ago, she has been caressing her tummy for the last few months and she has felt the first little movements.  This scan gives her a strong visual link with her baby that reinforces what she has been feeling.  For the man, this is the first real chance to make a contact with his child.  In the earlier scans there were some fuzzy movements on the screen and maybe you could make out a shape or two, but this one not only lasts much longer, but you can clearly see the profile of the head and see the tiny hands and feet wriggling about.

Forget what they tell you about only becoming a father at the birth, it all starts here and from now on, each time you feel a kick or movement in your partner's tummy, you will have a picture in the back of your mind from this scan session.

What they look for and measure in the scan.

Firstly they will confirm the number of foetuses present and the location in the uterus where the placenta is attached.  The quantity of amniotic fluid will be checked also.

If a Doppler system is included in the system, the heart beat will be measured and the blood flow through the umbilical cord and the main arteries will be seen.  The image looks similar to this.

The doctor will look for the 4 distinct heart cavities and for good operation of the ventricular valve.  He/she should be able to get a picture of the valve both opened and fully closed.  The kidneys are also usually checked at this point.

Continued...  

Go to next page.

Introduction

1. Doctor visits during the 1st trimester 

2. 1st trimester ultrasound appointments

3. Doctor visits during the 2nd trimester 

4. 2nd trimester ultrasound scan - Part 1 

5. 2nd trimester ultrasound scan - Part 2 

6. 2nd trimester ultrasound scan - Part 3 

7. Doctor visits during the 3rd trimester