Morphology Scan

What is a Morphology Scan?

This scan is usually performed at 19-20 weeks gestation to assess the development of the baby and to exclude any obvious problems with the pregnancy.  At this stage, most of the organs and structures of the baby have formed and are able to be seen with ultrasound. Usually only  partners are invited into the room initially and any other relatives maybe welcomed into the room once the measurements have been taken.

During the examination the sonographer (a technologist specially trained in ultrasound) will assess the baby, measuring the circumference and diameter of the head, the circumference of the abdomen and the length of the femur (the bone in the thigh).  The sonographer will then look at the major structures in the baby, particularly the brain, heart, spine, kidneys and bladder and face.

Unfortunately the baby will not always be lying in the best possible position or may still be a little too young (less than 18 weeks) to complete the examination.  In these cases it may be necessary to return at a later date.  It can be especially hard to perform detailed fetal heart assessment at this earlier stage and this may need to be reviewed at 22 to 33 weeks, when the baby is more developed and in a better position.

Can I find out the sex of the baby?

This will be at the discretion of the sonographer on the day as it often depends upon the position or the age of the baby. Please discuss with the sonograhper at the time of the scan.

This procedure is available at:

Sunnybank Women’s Diagnostic Centre
Mater Women’s Diagnostic Centre

And also at the following sites:

Brisbane
Bayside
Beenleigh
Browns Plains
Capalaba
Cleveland
Coorparoo
Logan Central
Loganholme
Logan Road (Greenslopes)
Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital
St Vincent’s Brisbane
Upper Mount Gravatt
Wynnum

Cairns
Cairns Private Hospital
Cairns X-Ray

Gold Coast
Southport

Mackay
Mater Private Hospital

Toowoomba
Russell Street
St Andrew's Private Hospital - St Vincent’s

Warwick

Townsville
Domain
Mater Private Hospital - Pimlico
Mater Private Hospital - Hyde Park