Pregnancy guide
A complete trimester-by-trimester guide to all ultrasound scans and blood tests during pregnancy. Know what to expect, when to book, and how to prepare.
2 scans
2 scans
3 scans
The first ultrasound confirms pregnancy, checks heartbeat, determines the number of babies, and establishes the gestational age for accurate due date calculation.
What It Checks
Preparation
Full bladder required for early pregnancy scan. Drink 3-4 glasses of water 1 hour before.
Book Dating / Viability ScanA critical screening scan that measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck to assess risk of chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome. Best combined with the Double Marker blood test.
What It Checks
Preparation
No specific preparation. Can be done with empty or full bladder. Combine with Double Marker blood test for best results.
Book NT ScanThe most detailed scan of pregnancy. A comprehensive anatomy check examining all major organs and structures of the baby to detect any structural abnormalities.
What It Checks
Preparation
No fasting required. Wear comfortable clothing. The scan may take 30-45 minutes.
Book Anomaly ScanMonitors the baby's growth trajectory and checks if growth is appropriate for gestational age. Combined with the Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) to screen for gestational diabetes.
What It Checks
Preparation
No specific preparation for ultrasound. For GCT: drink 75g glucose solution and get blood drawn after 1 hour.
Book Growth Scan + GCTAssesses continued growth, baby's position, and overall well-being. Important for detecting growth restriction or excess amniotic fluid.
What It Checks
Combines growth assessment with Doppler ultrasound to evaluate blood flow through the umbilical cord and baby's blood vessels. Critical for high-risk pregnancies.
What It Checks
Preparation
No specific preparation. Important for pregnancies with hypertension, diabetes, or growth concerns.
Book Growth & Doppler ScanFinal assessment before delivery. Confirms baby's position, estimates weight, checks amniotic fluid, and assesses readiness for delivery.
What It Checks
Preparation
No specific preparation. May be combined with NST (Non-Stress Test) for baby's heart monitoring.
Book Pre-delivery Scan| Test | When | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Group & Rh Type | First visit | Identifies blood group and Rh compatibility |
| CBC (Complete Blood Count) | Each trimester | Checks hemoglobin, WBC, and platelets |
| Blood Sugar (Fasting & PP) | First visit + 24-28 weeks | Screens for diabetes |
| Thyroid Profile (TSH) | First trimester | Thyroid function — critical for baby's brain development |
| Double Marker Test | 11-14 weeks | Chromosomal abnormality risk assessment |
| Urine Routine | Each visit | Checks for infection, protein, and glucose |
| HIV, HBsAg, VDRL | First visit | Screens for infections that can affect baby |
| Quadruple Marker Test | 15-20 weeks | Additional chromosomal screening if NT not done |
| Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) | 24-28 weeks | Diagnoses gestational diabetes |
| Group B Streptococcus | 35-37 weeks | Screens for GBS to protect baby during delivery |
Free tools
A normal pregnancy typically involves 4-6 scans: dating scan (6-8 weeks), NT scan (11-14 weeks), anomaly scan (18-22 weeks), growth scan (28-32 weeks), Doppler scan (32-34 weeks), and pre-delivery scan (36-40 weeks). High-risk pregnancies may require additional monitoring.
The NT scan is strongly recommended between weeks 11-14. It screens for chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome by measuring the fluid at the back of the baby's neck. Combined with blood markers (double marker test), it provides important risk assessment.
The anomaly scan (TIFFA/Level 2 scan) is a detailed ultrasound done between weeks 18-22. It checks the baby's anatomy including brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, and other organs. It is one of the most important scans during pregnancy.
Yes. Ultrasound scans use sound waves, not radiation, and are considered safe during pregnancy when performed by trained professionals. They have been used in obstetric care for decades with no known harmful effects to the mother or baby.
Yes. Focus Diagnostics offers all pregnancy scans including dating scan, NT scan, anomaly scan, growth scan, Doppler scan, and 3D/4D scans at multiple branches. Our experienced sonologists specialise in fetal medicine imaging. Book at 91213 77123.
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