20 Weken echo

The twenty-week ultrasound is an extensive medical ultrasound between 19 and 21 weeks that examines whether the baby may have any congenital abnormalities. Fortunately, this rarely happens, most children are born healthy.

The 20 week ultrasound is also called structural ultrasound examination. The purpose of this ultrasound is to assess whether the baby has a spina bifida or skull or abnormalities in other organs such as the brain, face, heart, stomach, intestines, kidneys, bladder and limbs. It is also checked whether the child is growing well, whether there is sufficient amniotic fluid and where the placenta is located. Not all abnormalities can be seen with the 20-week ultrasound. This means that a good 20-week ultrasound does not guarantee a healthy baby.

The 20-week ultrasound scan is intended for pregnant women who do not have an increased risk of having a child with a congenital condition. If a hereditary condition runs in the family, the 20-week ultrasound scan may be performed by the gynecologist in the hospital. They call this an advanced ultrasound examination (GUO). Your midwife will discuss in advance whether you can make an appointment for a 20-week ultrasound or a GUO. The choice of whether or not to have a 20-week ultrasound or GUO is always up to the expectant parents themselves.

The ultrasound technician will immediately give you the results of the ultrasound examination. Sometimes, due to the position of the baby or the thickness of the abdominal wall, not everything in the baby can be seen at the same time. A repeat ultrasound will then be scheduled at short notice. An abnormality is seen in 2-3 percent of the 20 week ultrasound scans. Depending on the abnormalities, follow-up examinations will be carried out at the Flevo Hospital or at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam. It is also possible that something is seen and there may be uncertainty about what it is. A second opinion is then agreed. Depending on where the uncertainty lies in the organ, this second opinion takes place in the Flevo Hospital or in the Academic Medical Center.

The 20-week ultrasound is not a fun ultrasound, but a medical examination. Preferably come to the ultrasound alone with your partner. Please do not take children with you and no photos or video recordings may be taken during the ultrasound. This is because it can be disruptive for the sonographers.

The 20-week ultrasound is reimbursed from the population screening.
This ultrasound should be performed between 19 0/7 and 19 6/7 weeks.
If you cannot find a place in our online agenda, please contact our assistants. They will be happy to help you find a suitable location.

More information about the 20-week ultrasound can be found here www.pns.nl and in the brochure 'The 13 week ultrasound and the 20 week ultrasound'. This brochure is provided by the midwife or can be downloaded via the link: Brochure 13 and 20 week ultrasound – Dutch