Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans in Whitefield: Dating, NT, Anomaly (TIFFA), and Growth Scans Explained

If you are pregnant and trying to understand which scans you need, when, and why, this guide covers the complete pregnancy ultrasound schedule as practised in India, with specific detail on the dating scan, NT scan, TIFFA anomaly scan, and third-trimester growth scans.

The short answer: a typical uncomplicated pregnancy in India involves 4 to 6 ultrasound scans. The dating scan at 6 to 9 weeks, the NT scan at 11 to 14 weeks, the anomaly or TIFFA scan at 18 to 22 weeks, a growth scan at 28 to 32 weeks, and often a pre-delivery scan around 36 to 38 weeks.

Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and has been used safely in obstetric care for decades.

The Complete Pregnancy Scan Schedule

 

The Dating Scan: Your First Look

The dating scan, sometimes called the viability scan or early pregnancy scan, is usually performed between 6 and 9 weeks. It is often done transvaginally at this stage because the pregnancy is very small.

What it confirms: the pregnancy is inside the uterus (ruling out ectopic pregnancy), the fetal heartbeat is present, the number of fetuses, and the gestational age based on crown-rump length measurement. This measurement is the most accurate way to establish your estimated due date, more reliable than dating from your last period, particularly if your cycles are irregular.

The NT Scan: First Trimester Screening

The Nuchal Translucency scan is performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks 6 days. It measures the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby's neck. An increased NT measurement is associated with a higher risk of chromosomal conditions including Down syndrome, as well as some structural cardiac abnormalities.

The NT scan is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. It gives a risk estimate. It is typically combined with a maternal blood test (the dual marker test measuring free beta-hCG and PAPP-A) to produce a combined risk score. If the combined risk is elevated, further testing such as NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) or an invasive test like amniocentesis may be discussed.

The NT scan also assesses the nasal bone, fetal anatomy visible at this stage, and in twin pregnancies, determines chorionicity, which is critical for pregnancy management.

The TIFFA or Anomaly Scan: The Most Detailed Scan of Your Pregnancy

TIFFA stands for Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies. It is also called the Level 2 scan, the mid-trimester scan, or the 20-week scan. This is the most comprehensive structural examination performed during pregnancy.

Timing: 18 to 22 weeks, ideally around 19 to 21 weeks. By this stage fetal organs are well formed and large enough to visualise clearly, while there is still adequate amniotic fluid for good imaging.

What is examined: the brain and skull, face and lips, spine along its full length, heart including all four chambers and outflow tracts, chest and lungs, abdominal wall, stomach, kidneys and bladder, all four limbs including hands and feet, the placenta position and appearance, umbilical cord vessels, amniotic fluid volume, and cervical length.

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes. If the baby is in an unhelpful position, you may be asked to walk around and return for the remaining views.

Soft markers: Findings such as echogenic bowel, choroid plexus cysts, or a single umbilical artery are called soft markers. They are not diagnoses and most often turn out to be normal variants, but they may prompt further evaluation.

Growth Scans: The Third Trimester

Growth scans in the third trimester assess whether the baby is growing appropriately and whether the placenta is functioning adequately.

Key measurements include biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length, which together produce an estimated fetal weight plotted on a growth chart.

Amniotic Fluid Index (AFI) is also assessed:

• Low AFI (oligohydramnios), less than 5 cm, may indicate kidney issues or placental insufficiency
• High AFI (polyhydramnios), greater than 24 cm, may be associated with gestational diabetes or fetal swallowing problems

IUGR (intrauterine growth restriction), where the baby measures smaller than expected for gestational age, is identified through serial growth scans and may prompt closer monitoring or earlier delivery.

A 34-week growth scan is often specifically advised for women with placenta previa (low-lying placenta) or a previous caesarean section, to assess placental position ahead of delivery planning.

An Important Legal Note on Gender Determination

Revealing the sex of an unborn baby is illegal in India under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. No sonologist, radiologist, or obstetrician in India will disclose fetal sex, regardless of the reason for asking. This is a legal requirement, not a clinic policy.

Book a Pregnancy Ultrasound at Stepcare Whitefield

Stepcare's radiology department offers pregnancy ultrasound services with obstetric imaging support alongside gynaecology consultation.

Call or WhatsApp: +91 9606910113 / +91 9606910114 Email: appointments@stepcare.co.in Address: G-01, Ground Floor, Brigade IRV Center, Nallurhalli, Whitefield, Bengaluru 560066 Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 8 PM | Sunday, 10 AM to 1 PM

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions.