Echoes

Ultrasound during pregnancy

During your pregnancy, ultrasounds are performed at various times. This allows us to look at the growth and condition of your baby, for example. You can come to our practice for all ultrasounds: a early ultrasound, term echo, growth ultrasound on indication, 13 and 20 week ultrasound if desired and finally the position ultrasound.

The 13 and 20 week ultrasounds are specialized ultrasounds and are therefore performed using the latest ultrasound equipment. 

Early ultrasound: around 7 weeks of pregnancy

We perform this ultrasound at a gestational age of approximately 7 weeks. We apply gel to your lower abdomen and with the help of the ultrasound probe we can visualize the uterus with the baby in it. It is important that you have a full bladder, because then we can visualize your uterus more easily. We advise you not to urinate an hour before the ultrasound.

At this stage of pregnancy, it often happens that we cannot yet get an external view of the uterus. In that case, we can decide, in consultation, to make an internal (vaginal) ultrasound. This is not harmful or painful and is always done in consultation.

During the early ultrasound we can visualize your baby and see the heartbeat. At this stage it is not yet possible to reliably determine when the due date is. We do this during the term ultrasound.

You can also choose to only have the dating scan.

Dating ultrasound: around 10 weeks of pregnancy

At a gestational age of approximately 10 weeks, we determine the term of your pregnancy with a term ultrasound. After we have applied gel to your lower abdomen, we will visualize your uterus with your baby using the ultrasound probe. We will then measure the baby from crown to rump. By means of this crown-rump length (or CRL) we can reliably determine what the due date is.

It is important that you have a full bladder, because then we can get an easier view of your uterus. We also advise not to urinate for at least an hour before the dating scan.

Sometimes we can't get a good external view of the uterus and the baby. We can then make an internal (vaginal) ultrasound to get a good view of the baby and to be able to measure it.

13 week ultrasound: in our own practice

The 13-week ultrasound is a voluntary examination that takes place between 12+3 and 14+3 weeks of pregnancy. During this ultrasound we look at the development of your child and screen for indications of certain physical abnormalities such as an open back, cleft lip, club feet and abnormalities of other organs.

At Midwives Lelystad word je tijdens dit onderzoek begeleid door onze ervaren echoscopiste, dit is een andere echoscopiste als degene die de termijnecho of vroege echo maakt omdat de 13 week ultrasound een specialisatie is op de basis echo’s. Ook de apparatuur is anders: het is speciaal gemaakt om de baby extra goed te kunnen bekijken. Eén van de voordelen van het laten maken van deze echo in onze eigen praktijk, is de nauwe samenwerking binnen ons eigen team. Mocht de echoscopiste tijdens de 13 weken echo iets opmerken dat verder onderzoek vereist, dan kan zij dit direct met ons bespreken omdat zij ons persoonlijk kent. Hierdoor zijn wij meteen op de hoogte en kunnen we samen snel overleggen over eventuele vervolgstappen, zoals een doorverwijzing naar het ziekenhuis. Dit kan ook in de avonduren. 

Als praktijk adviseren we je om deze echo bij ons in de eigen praktijk te laten maken, voor een optimale afstemming binnen ons eigen team. Wanneer je bijvoorbeeld op bepaalde uren van de dag bij een echobureau de echo laat maken, is geen direct contact mogelijk met ons als verloskundigen, terwijl onze eigen collega wel direct met ons kan bellen voor vragen of overleg. Mocht het nodig zijn om je door te verwijzen naar het ziekenhuis, dan is dit sneller geregeld op deze manier dan wanneer je de echo elders laat maken en wij moeten wachten tot het verslag is verstuurd de volgende dag. Omdat wij je graag de beste zorg willen bieden, houden we de lijntjes binnen onze eigen praktijk graag kort. 

During your intake interview around 10 weeks, we would like to discuss whether you want to schedule this ultrasound. Are you still in doubt? No problem, you can also email or call us later to make an appointment. Als je kiest voor de 13-weken echo, vragen we je toestemming voor deelname aan een landelijke studie. Tijdens de aanmelding en met de vroege echo krijg je hier al informatie over, maar tijdens de intake leggen we nog meer aan je uit wat dit inhoudt, zodat je een weloverwogen keuze kunt maken. Tot slot wordt de echo volledig vergoed vanuit het screeningscentrum van de regio.

Are you registered with another practice but would you still like to have the ultrasound done with us? You are very welcome! Please contact us to schedule an appointment.

Gender determination ultrasound 16 weeks

You can choose to have an ultrasound scan from 16 weeks to see if you are expecting a boy or a girl. This is of course not mandatory, you can also choose to have this be a surprise. When you register with us, you will receive a free gender scan. 

* see general terms and conditions

Growth scans

Growth scans may be necessary for various reasons. For example, if you have previously given birth to a very large or very small child, if the growth of the baby externally difficult to assess or when we have doubts about the size of the baby during our external examination. These ultrasounds are made in our practice. Sometimes it may be necessary to have the ultrasound performed by a gynaecologist, if the hospital sees a reason for this, such as a baby that is too small or if a lot of amniotic fluid has been measured. In that case we will refer you. Growth ultrasounds are not made as standard, because these are only reimbursed by the insurer if you have a so-called 'indication' for this. 

Position ultrasound: around 35-36 weeks of pregnancy

Between 35-36 weeks of pregnancy we plan a position scan. During the position scan we assess whether there is a cephalic presentation, transverse presentation or breech presentation. We also assess the size of the baby, the amount of amniotic fluid and the condition of the placenta.

The positional echo is always external. A full bladder is not necessary for this examination.

20 week ultrasound: in our own practice

The 20-week ultrasound, also called the structural ultrasound examination (SEO), takes place between 18+0 and 21+0 weeks. During this examination we extensively examine the organs, skeleton and growth of your child, as well as the placenta and the amniotic fluid.

Ook voor deze echo kun je bij ons in de praktijk terecht. Als je eerder bij ons de 13-weken echo hebt laten maken, raden we aan om ook voor deze echo bij Verloskundigen Lelystad te kiezen. Dit zorgt voor continuïteit: de echoscopiste en wij als verloskundigen kennen jouw dossier al en alle informatie is meteen binnen ons team beschikbaar. Ook kan de echoscopiste makkelijker de beelden vergelijken omdat we deze in ons eigen systeem hebben staan, terwijl we van een echo extern alleen de metingen op papier ontvangen. Mocht er tijdens de echo iets worden gezien dat aandacht vereist, dan bespreekt de echoscopiste dit direct met ons. Zo kunnen we samen snel handelen, bijvoorbeeld door een afspraak in het ziekenhuis te regelen.

Heb je de 13-weken echo niet bij ons gehad? Geen zorgen – ook dan kun je bij ons terecht voor de 20-weken echo. Finally, the ultrasound is fully reimbursed by the regional screening center. 

Ben je ingeschreven bij een praktijk die zelf geen 20-weken echo’s aanbiedt? Ook dan ben je welkom bij Verloskundigen Lelystad. Neem contact met ons op en we plannen samen een moment dat jou uitkomt.

Fun ultrasounds

In addition to medical ultrasounds, it is also possible to have fun ultrasounds performed within the same building, namely at Myprenatalecho. These are extra moments to catch a glimpse of your baby and share this special moment with your loved ones. There are two types of pre-birth ultrasounds with different prices:

• Gender determination ultrasound: Would you like to find out if you are having a boy or a girl? The gender determination ultrasound scans at 16 weeks are perfect to share this exciting secret with your family and friends. The costs for this are not covered by the insurance. However, with us you get this free when you register at our practice*
  * see general terms and conditions

• Ultrasound without gender determination: Don't want to know the baby's gender, but still want the free ultrasound at 16 weeks? No problem, you'll still get this as a gift from us *
  * see general terms and conditions.

  In addition to the free ultrasound at 16 weeks, would you like to take an extra look and admire that little miracle in your belly? Whether it is together with your grandmother, your best friend or your partner who would like to catch a glimpse, everyone is welcome at Mijnpretecho.