Somewhere between weeks 18 and 22, you will have the most detailed ultrasound of your pregnancy — the anomaly scan, also called the level 2 or TIFFA scan. Here is what actually happens and why it matters.
What the Scan Checks
The sonographer examines your baby from head to toe: the brain and skull, the face and lips, the spine along its full length, the four chambers of the heart, the stomach, kidneys and bladder, and all four limbs with fingers and toes. They also measure growth, check the amniotic fluid level, and note where the placenta is sitting — important information for delivery planning.
How to Prepare
- You usually do not need a full bladder for this scan — but follow your clinic’s instructions.
- Eat normally beforehand; a light snack sometimes makes the baby more active and easier to scan.
- Carry all previous scan reports and your doctor’s referral.
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes — detailed scans take time, and the baby’s position can stretch it longer.
- Take your partner along if you can; seeing the baby move in detail is a moment worth sharing.
Understanding the Report
Most scans come back completely normal. Sometimes the report notes things that sound scarier than they are — a “soft marker” is a finding that slightly adjusts risk, not a diagnosis. If the baby was curled in an awkward position, you may simply be asked to walk around and return, or to come back another day for an incomplete view. Ask the doctor to explain every line; you are entitled to understand your own report.
What If Something Is Found?
If the scan raises a genuine concern, you will be referred to a foetal medicine specialist for a closer look. Many findings resolve or turn out to be minor; for the rest, early knowledge means better planning — the right hospital, the right team, sometimes treatment before or right after birth. Information is your friend here, even when it is hard.
One Important Reminder
In India, disclosing the baby’s sex is illegal under the PCPNDT Act, and reputable centres follow this strictly. The scan’s purpose is your baby’s health — and on that front, it is the most reassuring twenty minutes of mid-pregnancy.
