Pregnancy Scans
Koru has a family room with toys and books adjacent to the scan room to keep young children entertained while mum is having her scan.
If you would like to take some snapshots of your baby scan, you can do so with your phone at the end of the scan. Please remember keep your phone on flight mode during the scan.
Preparation
Please do not go to the toilet for the half hour before your appointment. For a dating scan or placental check, please drink a large glass of non-fizzy water one hour beforehand.
There are four common times in your pregnancy when you will be referred for an ultrasound by your doctor or midwife. These are for Dating, Nuchal Translucency screening, Anatomy and Growth or Presentation assessments:
1st Trimester Dating Scans
This scan is best done at 8-10 weeks. This scan allows accurate assessment of your baby’s age and due date. Accurate dating is necessary to ensure the Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is done at the correct time, and acts as a reference point for assessment of your baby’s growth for later ultrasound scans.
1st Trimester NT Scans
The Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan is undertaken as part of New Zealand’s 1st trimester combined screening program.
The amount of fluid under the skin at the back of a baby's neck is measured using ultrasound. All babies have some fluid, but many babies with chromosomal abnormalities (e.g. Down's syndrome) have an abnormal amount.
The NT scan can be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks plus 6 days, but is optimum at 12 weeks plus 4 days.
Blood tests which also help to establish risk, can usually be done on the same day. (Medlab is not far from us on Lower Queen St - opposite the show grounds).
After your scan we send the measurements to the National Screening Unit, where they are combined with your blood test results and your age to calculate the likelihood of a chromosomal abnormality. This will then be sent to your doctor or midwife.
2nd Trimester Anatomy Scan
The anatomy scan is a detailed look at your baby from head to toe! The optimal time is 20-22 weeks. Abnormalities are rare and it is most likely you can be reassured you are having a normal, healthy baby. If you wish, you can find out at this scan if your baby is a boy or girl.
For more information on the abnormalities which can be eliminated at this scan and the accuracy of detecting them (when present) cut and paste this link into your browser. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232499/
3rd Trimester Growth Scan
Sometimes after 28 weeks, we are asked to check your baby’s size, placental position, or the position that your baby is lying in.
Shaitsu Massage & Yoga
In addition to ultrasound, Koru also caters for Shiatsu massage. In fact, our obstetric ultrasound patients are eligible for a discounted Shiatsu massage, tailored to their particular stage in pregnancy. Find out more
Expanding upon the support we provide mothers during pregnancy, Koru also runs regular dedicated antenatal Yoga sessions.