Getting a dating scan has numerous benefits, including the following;
Provides valuable health information
Besides determining your estimated due date, a dating scan can also reveal other tidbits of vital information like the development of the baby and sometimes even their gender, depending on how far along you are when taking the test. It’s also a great time to do other tests like the NIPT test, which will provide even more information on the unborn baby and help your doctor plan the best way forward for your pregnancy.
It’s reassuring
The early pregnancy ultrasound scan provides a vague picture of the pregnancy. The embryo is still young, and there’s not much to see. During the dating scan, the pregnancy has progressed, and you might hear the heartbeat and identify a few organs. If you have any doubts, a dating scan can help you put those doubts to rest.
It’s crucial to mention that the details you get from the scan depend entirely on the gestation period of the pregnancy. If you get the scan at 13 weeks instead of 8 weeks, the foetus will have more development for you to see and might even provide an opportunity for the sonographer to make an educated guess of the baby’s gender.
The purpose of the dating scan is not to check for anomalies and deformities. However, it may sometimes reveal some potential issues with the foetus during the scan. Things like the heartbeat and some organs have started forming, and the sonographer can identify potential areas that need more investigation and include such information in your report for you to discuss with your doctor on the best way forward.
Makes planning easier
Knowing when to expect your child can make planning much easier. You know when to make appointments, and your healthcare provider can determine which tests to do at what time. Also, if you plan to renovate the nursery, you will know by when you should prepare it for the newborn.