How often will I get an ultrasound in pregnancy?

At Sydney Babies, we scan your baby and give you pictures every appointment!

How quickly does my baby grow?

In early pregnancy, you’ll be blown away how quickly your baby changes!! At 8 weeks, baby looks like a little blob with a heartbeat. By 12 weeks, baby will be moving its arms and legs and having a good wriggle.

Do I need formal scans at an ultrasound provider?

Sydney babies refers to Sydney Ultrasound for Women and Ultrasound care for formal scans. These scans check your baby’s anatomy, growth, placental function and wellbeing.

Where do I get my NIPT test?  (baby’s chromosomes)

These two external ultrasound providers also perform blood tests for chromosome testing (NIPT) and reproductive carrier screening. The NIPT is usually performed from 10 weeks and 5 days.

When can find out the sex on my baby?

If you select the ‘gender’ box on the NIPT form, you can find out your baby’s sex from about 11 weeks (by blood test). At your 12-14 week anatomy scan, the baby’s sex can be determined about 60% of the time. By the 20 week anatomy scan your sonographer can tell you the sex of your baby for sure by checking its genitalia.

Is the 12-14 week anatomy scan recommended?

We recommend an early formal anatomy scan at 12-14 weeks. This scan will check major structures such as the baby’s brain/central nervous system, skull, heart and limbs. This scan can also be used to determine your risk of developing pre-eclampsia (a blood pressure disorder).

What is the morphology scan?

At 20-22 weeks, another external formal scan is performed. This is a detailed anatomy scan and takes around an hour. At this scan they can count the little bones in your baby’s fingers, check the baby’s kidneys, stomach and chambers of the heart. It is AMAZING to see the detail in your growing baby at the half way point!

Can I keep pictures of my baby?

At all subsequent appointments, Dr Porter will scan your baby. We have 3D and 4D (real-time) scanning facilities. Scan images can be sent directly to your phone (with sound for that fabulous heartbeat) via air-drop.

Can you always get 3D pictures?

Sometimes babies cover their face with their hands, or kiss their placenta. If the face is obscured, or the baby’s head is low in the pelvis, sometimes it’s impossible to get a 3D image. We try our best!

When is the best time to get 3D pictures of my baby?

From 28 weeks, as you enter the third trimester, your baby’s puffy cheeks are starting to fill out! I find the best time to get 3D pictures of your baby is from 28 weeks onwards.

What is the difference between 2D, 3D and 4D ultrasound?

– 2D ultrasound is a single plane – the classic “facial profile picture”. It is black and white.
– 3D ultrasound shows a static picture your baby’s face in 3 dimensions.
– 4D ultrasound shows your baby in 3 dimensions, moving in real time. Sometimes we catch babies sucking their thumbs, yawning or poking out their little tongues!!

Is there any extra charge for 3D ultrasound?

No, at Sydney Babies Dr Porter will scan you every appointment and send you all the cute pictures!!