what is the earliest i can have a 20 week scan?

[workingonitagain]

just wondering what the earliest is i can have a scan to check things as they would do on the 20 week scan. Just for reassuring im wondering if organs are developed enough around 17 weeks for them to check for any possible defects?

thanks for ur answers

Uhm, a twenty week scan happens at twenty weeks. If it's a sexing scan it'll be sixteen weeks.

I thought it happened as close to 20 weeks as possible as this is when baby is developed enough to see any potential problems. Measurements may be too hard to accurately measure before then?

Earliest is 18weeks but will be clearer slightly later than that.

Anomaly scans take place between 18 and 21 weeks. Google NHS or NICE info on pregnancy scans.

You won't be offered earlier on the NHS and it wouldn't be advised in case something was missed

I had mine at 19 weeks its called an anomoly scan not a 20wk scan

im generally nervous about this pregnancy as i had a mmc recently. we have a holiday booked for when im in my 20th weeks so i spoke to the hospital today to ask if i should cancel my holiday so she just told me to give her the dates and they'll make sure it won't be on that week which is nice of them. i just thought i'd pay for a private scan before we go on holiday as i don't think i'd be able to relax without knowing that nothing major is wrong.

That made me snigger, sorry.
It is very reassuring when you do have the anomaly scan so I hope you can get it in before you go away and then relax.

thanks LunaticFringe but i don't think i will ever be patient or relaxed about beging pregnant! this is my last one so will never have to go through it again. i think once i definitely feel the movements i will feel better

Mine is at 22 weeks apparently quite standard at kings college asthey want to see as much as poss. It also depends how your uterus is sitting. If it leans back slightly they might not be able to see all they need at 18wks.

I was away at 20 weeks and asked them to do the scan 4 days earlier i.e 19 weeks 3 days. They refused and i had to have it when I returned at 21 wks. They said that the sonographers prefer the scan to be done either on or after 20 wks as it is much easier for them to see details.

I had mine at 18 weeks due to early onset gestational diabetes (which increases the risk of problems) and it is normal to do them at 18 weeks if you are diabetic, then they do a detailed cardiac scan at 22 weeks because of the increased risk of heart problems. However, they can see all that they would normally check with the heart at a anomaly scan at 18 weeks.

It was extremely clear and except for checking the spine, which they'll do properly at the next scan due to baby's position at this one, all looked perfect.

thanks for ur comments. i wouldn't even try and get nhs scan any earlier as i know they wouldn't but i think i will book a private scan just before to make sure there is norhing obvious wrong. thanks again

I got my 20 week scan when was 18 weeks+2 days getting another one next week when I will be 21 weeks had to get it pushed forward for certain reasons and they got the sex of the baby perfectly clear I could even tell straight away without them saying he wouldn't stop showing off think its more on the positioning the baby while your getting the scan and stuff like that, but I wouldn't get a scan before 18 weeks.

thanks for that i gave up the waiting bit and went for a scan today and it was brilliant although the baby was in an awful position she managed to check most things and they seem ok and that's what i needed to know . that nothing major is wrong. she couldn't be certain of the sex and lo would not open it's legs but i really didn't care as that's what i went for so overall im feeling a lot more relaxed and also i'll get another scan just after im 20 weeks and so it's not too long to wait. thanks for ur comments