20 week scan anxiety - what’s the likelihood that something could be wrong?

[wondering7777]

I have my 20 week scan coming up and am starting to get really anxious. I know they go through looking at all the organs and limbs and I’m terrified they will find something wrong.

At my 12 week scan everything was good, although they did say that while the spine is developing as expected, they couldn’t tell me more than that at that point. Should the spine be fully formed by now and do they look for spina bifida at this point? What other potential problems could they pick up at this stage?

Sorry for the negative thread title - I’m just feeling really nervous about it all.

It is quite normal, and realistic, to feel a bit anxious at this point. Obviously you want things to be going well for your baby and you understand that the scan is to look for “anomalies” -anything that looks unusual.
The purpose of looking at 20 weeks is that the body is pretty much fully formed by this point, from now on baby just gets bigger. Most babies will be found to be developing completely normally. Sometimes things are found that will need some follow up or checking after birth to give baby the best start in life. Occasionally things are found that an intervention before birth can prevent long term harm or that mean that good planning & preparation can be done before birth for an intervention as soon as baby is born. Very occasionally an issue is discovered which is so serious that baby’s future is in doubt.
By far the most common outcome is to find that baby is developing normally and so you then have reassurance.
Info about the scan & what it looks for www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/20-week-scan/
Good luck - let us know how it goes

Thank you for the reply. I’m going to be a nervous wreck until I know everything is ok

I'm in the same boat, 20 week scan on Wednesday (I'll be 20+1) and shitting it! Good luck x

I had mine today so it's fresh in my mind! It seemed to take a long time, over half an hour and I held my breath at everything they checked. They look at all the organs, spine and lips to check for cleft lip. check the bones too and take measurements to check the baby is growing properly. Thankfully all was well with mine apart from the placenta is covering my cervix which means I may have bleeding later and need a c section.

It's lovely to see the baby wriggling around

Good luck ladies I hope yours go well. My sonographer told me chances of finding something wrong are very small.

The 20 week scan is amazing, I know nerve wracking too but it’s so cool. They look at all the organs, you see the heart & the blood flowing through & the valves, the brain, lips, kidneys, bladder, limbs etc. Really fascinating!

Chances are, all will be well.. it’s def something to look forwards too along with the nerves!

My sonographer told me chances of finding something wrong are very small.

Thank you - I’m going to try and hold onto that thought!