Home
Professionals

The 20-week ultrasound

The 20-week ultrasound is a medical examination to check for physical abnormalities. A physical abnormality means that part of the child’s body looks different than normal. Examples of physical abnormalities include: spina bifida, anencephaly, hydrocephalus, heart defects, diaphragmatic hernia, abdominal wall defect, kidney abnormalities, or bone abnormalities. 

It is up to you to decide if you want to have this test.

Factsheet about the 20-week ultrasound

  1. You are pregnant.

    You make an appointment with a midwife. The midwife asks if you want to know more about the NIPT and the 20-week ultrasound.

  2. A long talk.

    You have a long talk with your midwife to help you decide. How much do you want to know about your child during pregnancy? If you are told that your child has a physical abnormality, what do you want to do?

  3. The ultrasound.

    You can have the 20-week ultrasound done. This can be done in week 18, 19, or 20 of pregnancy.

  4. The results.

    You get the results from the ultrasound technician right away.

  5. Optional: follow-up testing.

    If you have an abnormal result, you can choose to have follow-up tests. That way you can know for sure if your child has a physical abnormality.

Video

How does the 20-week ultrasound work? Watch the video.

FAQ

FAQ about the 20-week ultrasound.

Downloads