How commonly are abonormalities picked up at the 20/21 week scan?

[AlphaBeta2012]

I am 19 weeks and have scan next week. Does anyone know the chances of abnormalities being picked up at this stage?
This is dc2 and it didn't even occur to me with DC1 but I am anxious this time around!

I am 17 weeks, and trying not to think about it. I guess whatever happens, it is better to know than not? This is my first so I guess I am like you were first time around. Try not to worry, as it isn't going to do any good...
Good luck!

If you look back a bit, there's a good thread on this (maybe a month or two ago??) - maybe someone can find it.

The basic gist was that abnormalities can be picked up (hence the reason for the scan): some do not require intervention, some can be sorted (either during or after pregnancy) and the number which result in the worst case scenario (i.e. termination) are very very small.

So something might show up, but the overwhelming likelihood is that either there won't be anything to worry about, or that whatever there is can be dealt with.

don't panic!!! during the first scan of my dd it all went quiet and i was told that the head wasn't growing in relation to the rest of the body. was sent to london for further scan after a scary night, only for them to find nothing wrong at all. go to the scan with excitement, not trepidation. xx

Just by way of example, our DD's clubfoot was picked up at our 20-week scan. The sonographer identified it and passed us on to the consultant who did further checks, as clubfoot is a marker for various genetic abnormalities. Once they (thankfully) determined that it was just plain old clubfoot, the doctor explained what we could expect. When I was 32 weeks pregnant we even saw the orthopaedic surgeon who was going to treat DD to get information and plan the treatment. The treatment has consisted of physiotherapy, plaster casts and wearing orthopedic boots (mostly just for sleeping), and one extremely minor outpatient operation. She is now a perfect 3-yr-old who loves to tap dance.

There are other things like cleft lip/palate that can be identified before birth and treated fairly routinely. If they detect something serious they can arrange to have a specialist in the delivery room.

Personally, I was really glad to be able to learn about DD's condition ahead of time. It probably would have been more diffiicult to learn about it at birth.

Just keep in mind that most babies are perfectly normal and many of the ones who aren't "perfect" are fixable!

The chance of something wrong or baby has died is about 1%. Any pregnancy after 6our 1st is scary because your more awat of the complications!! I lost my first (babyboy) at 23 weeks due to infection and weak cervix, but 21 weeks scan was perfect :). Try not to worry , congratulations on your pregnancy!