18-20 Week Screening Pregnancy Ultrasound

What is an 18-20 week screening pregnancy ultrasound? An 18–20 week pregnancy screening ultrasound is part of the routine care during pregnancy. Screening is carried out at this stage in the pregnancy because the foetus (unborn baby) is big enough for its body structure and development to be assessed. It also provides additional information such... View Article

Amniocentesis

What is amniocentesis? Amniocentesis is a procedure where a needle is inserted into the abdomen to obtain a small amount of amniotic fluid. The foetus grows in the uterus, or womb, inside a bag called the “amniotic sac” surrounded by amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is made by the placenta (the organ that develops inside the... View Article

Chorionic Villous Sampling

What is chorionic villous sampling? Chorionic villous sampling (CVS) is offered from week 11 of pregnancy to women who are at a high risk of their foetus (unborn baby) being born with Down syndrome, or other chromosomal or inherited conditions. CVS also confirms the sex of the foetus, which can be important in identifying X-chromosome... View Article

Foetal MRI

What is a foetal MRI? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a way of taking detailed pictures of the inside of the body. It is useful for looking at many parts of the body. A foetal MRI gives additional information about your baby from the information received from an ultrasound scan that will have been carried... View Article

Nuchal Translucency Scan

What is the nuchal translucency? Nuchal translucency is the name for the normal fluid space behind the neck of a foetus (unborn baby) that can be seen on ultrasound scans. What is a nuchal translucency scan? A nuchal translucency scan (also called first trimester of pregnancy screening) is carried out during weeks 11–13 of a... View Article

Radiation Risk of Medical Imaging During Pregnancy

What is radiation? Background radiation is always present in our environment. It is inescapable and provides each of us with a continuous, small radiation dose. The sources of background radiation in our environment are cosmic rays from the universe, naturally occurring radioactive substances in the food and water we eat and drink, the air we... View Article

Saline Infusion Sonohysterography (SIS)

What is saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS)? Saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS) or saline ultrasound uterine scan is a test where a small volume of saline (salt solution) is inserted into the uterus (or womb). This allows the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to be clearly seen on an ultrasound scan. It is also known as a... View Article

Transvaginal Ultrasound

What is a transvaginal ultrasound? Transvaginal ultrasound is an examination of the female pelvis. It helps to see if there is any abnormality in the uterus (womb), cervix (the neck of the womb), endometrium (lining of the womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder or the pelvic cavity. It looks at the pelvic organs from inside the... View Article