The 2nd Trimester Anatomy Scan: Next Steps for Securing Your Baby's Health

The 2nd trimester anatomy scan, performed between 18–22 weeks of pregnancy, is a key ultrasound that evaluates your baby's development. It checks your baby’s brain, heart, limbs, organs, and other structures, while also assessing the placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid levels. This scan can detect over 50% of major structural abnormalities and provides vital insights for your healthcare team to plan any necessary follow-up care.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Duration: Typically 45–75 minutes, depending on your baby’s position.
• Process: A painless transabdominal ultrasound that captures 80–100 images of your baby.
• Preparation: Arrive with a full bladder if instructed, and have a light snack beforehand to encourage fetal movement.
• Results: A doctor will review the images and discuss findings, including normal growth indicators or any concerns requiring further tests.

For families considering long-term health options, newborn stem cell banking may be worth exploring after the scan. This process collects stem cells from the umbilical cord and placenta after birth, offering potential future medical uses for your child or family. Plans vary based on your needs, with options for banking cord blood, tissue, and placental tissue.

Talk to your doctor about your anatomy scan results and whether stem cell banking aligns with your family’s goals.

What Happens During a 2nd Trimester Anatomy Scan?

The anatomy scan is a transabdominal ultrasound where a sonographer applies a water-based gel to your belly and uses an ultrasound transducer to capture detailed images of your baby. While you lie on an exam table, the technician carefully examines your baby’s development, pausing to take key images and measurements. The process is completely painless, though you might feel some pressure as the transducer moves across different areas of your abdomen.

During the scan, the sonographer follows a detailed checklist, capturing 80 to 100 images to ensure all critical structures are evaluated. To help your baby move into better positions for imaging, having a light snack or something sweet about 30 minutes before your appointment can be helpful.

Most facilities allow one adult to accompany you during the scan. Keep in mind, technicians generally remain silent while taking measurements and won’t provide results immediately. A physician will review the images and discuss the findings with you afterward. This thorough process ensures a complete assessment of your baby’s anatomy.

Key Areas Assessed

The scan provides a detailed head-to-toe evaluation of your baby. The sonographer will examine the brain, checking symmetry, fluid-filled ventricles, the cerebellum, and the corpus callosum, along with the overall shape of the skull. Facial features, including the eyes, nose, lips, and palate, are also checked for any abnormalities like cleft lip, which affects about 1 in 600 newborns in the U.S.

The heart gets special attention, with the technician confirming the presence of four chambers, assessing valves and major vessels, and monitoring the heart rate and rhythm. A normal fetal heart rate typically falls between 120 and 180 beats per minute. The spine is also carefully examined to ensure proper vertebrae alignment and skin coverage, which are important for neural tube integrity.

Abdominal organs such as the stomach, bladder, kidneys, liver, and diaphragm are checked to confirm they’re functioning and developing as expected. The sonographer will also measure limb length - particularly the femur and humerus - and count fingers and toes. The scan evaluates the placenta’s location to rule out placenta previa, confirms the umbilical cord has three vessels (two arteries and one vein), and measures the amniotic fluid level.

Duration and Expectations

Although you may have heard that the scan takes 20 to 30 minutes, it often lasts between 45 and 75 minutes due to the number of structures being reviewed and the detailed measurements required. The exact duration can vary depending on your baby’s position and level of cooperation during the scan.

Some clinics may ask you to arrive with a full bladder to improve image clarity. You might be allowed to empty your bladder partway through the appointment. To make things easier, wear comfortable, two-piece clothing so your midsection is easily accessible. If you’d prefer not to find out your baby’s sex, let the technician know at the start of the appointment so they can avoid showing that area on the monitor.

Sometimes, factors like maternal body type, fetal position, or fetal movement can make it difficult to capture clear images of certain structures. If this happens, you may need a follow-up scan to get additional views. These detailed steps ensure a thorough evaluation of your baby’s growth and development, giving you vital insights for any decisions you may face later, such as newborn stem cell banking.

Understanding the Results: What They Mean for Your Baby's Health

After the scan, your doctor will carefully review the images and measurements to evaluate your baby's health. These results offer important insights into your baby's development and can help identify whether any additional care or monitoring might be needed. This process helps clarify both reassuring findings and areas that may require closer attention.

Normal Findings

Normal results indicate that your baby's growth is on track. The report will typically confirm that fetal measurements - such as head circumference, abdominal circumference, and femur length - fall within the expected ranges, supporting developmental milestones. A healthy heart rate, ranging between 120–180 beats per minute (bpm), along with properly functioning heart chambers, well-positioned major organs, and adequate levels of amniotic fluid, are all positive signs.

Key findings in a normal report include:

• Brain structures showing proper symmetry.
• A spine fully covered by skin, with vertebrae aligned correctly.
• A placenta positioned safely, away from the cervical opening.
• An umbilical cord with the standard three vessels (two arteries and one vein).

These findings are reassuring and affirm that your pregnancy is progressing as expected, with your baby developing on schedule. However, even with normal results, your doctor might recommend routine follow-ups to ensure everything continues smoothly.

Abnormal Findings and Next Steps

Occasionally, the scan may reveal findings that require further evaluation. These could include structural concerns like cleft lip, which affects about 1 in 600 newborns in the U.S., or conditions such as spina bifida, congenital heart defects, or a single umbilical artery (a rare finding in less than 1% of pregnancies that may call for additional monitoring). Issues with the placenta, such as placenta previa, where the placenta covers the cervix, might also be detected.

Not all findings are cause for alarm. For example, "soft markers" like choroid plexus cysts in the brain often resolve on their own by the 28th week and typically don’t impact the baby's health. Your doctor will explain whether a particular finding is a harmless variation or something that warrants further investigation.

If concerns arise, your doctor may suggest next steps, such as:

• A follow-up ultrasound to monitor the issue.
• A referral to a Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist for a more detailed "Level 2" scan.
• A fetal echocardiogram for a closer look at the baby's heart.
• Diagnostic testing like amniocentesis to gather more information.

Early detection is key, as it allows your medical team to plan for any necessary care or interventions. This could include ensuring delivery at a facility equipped with specialized resources or preparing for treatments your baby might need after birth. In some cases, these findings may also guide decisions about proactive measures, such as newborn stem cell banking, to support your baby's future health.

Preparing for Your Anatomy Scan

Getting ready for your anatomy scan not only ensures a smoother appointment but also helps you better understand your baby’s development. This understanding can be crucial when considering if stem cell banking is worth it. The scan typically takes 30–60 minutes to complete.

Scheduling the Appointment

Aim to schedule your scan between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. This window is ideal because your baby’s structures will be developed enough for detailed imaging. To secure an appointment within this timeframe, contact your healthcare provider early in your second trimester.

A helpful tip: have a light snack or meal about 30 minutes before the scan. The natural sugar boost can encourage your baby to move, making it easier for the technician to capture the necessary images. These small steps can make your anatomy scan experience more efficient and stress-free.

Questions to Ask Your Provider

Before your appointment, jot down any questions you’d like to ask about your baby’s development. Keep in mind that the sonographer might focus quietly on measurements during the scan, so save your questions for the review with your doctor. Here are a few to consider:

• Is my baby’s growth and estimated gestational age on track?
• Are all four heart chambers visible and functioning properly?
• Are the heart and stomach positioned correctly on the left side?
• Is the placenta located away from the cervix?
• Are amniotic fluid levels within the normal range?
• Are there any findings that might need follow-up or a specialist consultation?

If you’d like to know your baby’s sex, decide beforehand and let the technician know at the start of the scan. For those planning a gender reveal, you can ask the technician to record the information discreetly. Bringing along a partner or trusted support person can also be helpful - they can take notes and help you stay calm, ensuring you don’t miss any important details during the discussion with your doctor.

Being prepared for your scan not only makes the process easier but also sets the stage for exploring other possibilities, such as newborn stem cell banking.

Newborn Stem Cell Banking as a Next Step

After your anatomy scan confirms healthy development, the next logical step is considering newborn stem cell banking. This process preserves essential biological material that could play a key role in your child's future health.

Stem cell banking involves collecting stem cells from the umbilical cord blood, cord tissue, and placental tissue immediately after birth. The collection is painless and non-invasive, taking only a few minutes after the cord is clamped. Once collected, the cells are sent to a specialized lab, carefully processed to maintain their viability, and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196°C for long-term use.

Benefits of Stem Cell Banking

The benefits of stem cell banking are compelling. Stem cells collected at birth have already been used in over 45,000 transplants worldwide. Cord blood contains hematopoietic stem cells, which are FDA-approved to treat more than 80 conditions, including leukemia, lymphoma, and immune disorders. Meanwhile, cord tissue offers mesenchymal stem cells with potential applications in regenerating tissues for orthopedic, neurological, and autoimmune conditions. Placental tissue also contains multipotent cells that can promote healing and reduce inflammation.

What makes this even more powerful is that your baby's banked cells are a 100% genetic match for them, eliminating transplant rejection risks. Additionally, there’s a 25% chance these cells could be a perfect match for a sibling. Research shows that 1 in 3 people in the U.S. may benefit from regenerative medicine at some point in their lives, and family-donated cord blood transplants have success rates that are twice as high as those from unrelated donors.

For instance, in 2019, a child’s autism symptoms were reduced using banked cord blood. In another case, a sibling’s cord blood successfully treated Sickle Cell Disease in 2020.

Americord Registry Services

Americord Registry offers a comprehensive stem cell banking service designed to maximize the potential of your baby's cells. The company is AABB-accredited and FDA-registered, adhering to strict quality standards. Their methods ensure contamination risks are less than 1 in 10,000, while maintaining cell viability rates above 90%.

Using the CryoMaxx™ Processing method, Americord achieves up to 99% recovery of viable nucleated cells, compared to the 70-80% typical with conventional methods. This higher yield means greater potential for future treatments. Americord also provides a 5-compartment storage bag, allowing families to access portions of the sample for up to five separate treatments, as opposed to the standard two compartments used by others.

Americord backs its services with a $110,000 Cord Blood Quality Guarantee, the highest in the industry, offering compensation if the cord blood fails to engraft during a transplant. Storage is handled in secure, geographically redundant facilities with full chain-of-custody tracking. To make the process seamless, Americord coordinates with your OB-GYN to deliver a collection kit by the 36th week of pregnancy. Their 24/7 support team and complimentary genetic counseling consultations ensure you’re fully supported throughout. After collection, detailed lab reports are available within two weeks through a secure online portal.

Comparing Americord Registry Plans for Your Family's Needs

After a successful anatomy scan and positive test results, the next step is choosing the right stem cell banking plan to protect your baby’s future health. Americord Registry offers a range of plans tailored to different family priorities and budgets.

Plan Features and Options

Essential Family Plan

• Cost: $3,779 total or $145/month (24 months, 0% APR)
• Focus: Cord blood banking with 20 years of storage.
• Key Benefit: Preserves hematopoietic stem cells, which are used in over 80 FDA-approved treatments. This is a budget-friendly choice for families looking to safeguard against blood disorders.

Advanced Family Plan

• Features Added: Cord tissue banking alongside cord blood.
• Key Benefit: Access to mesenchymal stem cells, which have potential uses in orthopedic and neurological treatments. Includes 23 years of storage and genetic testing options.

Complete Family Plan

• Features Added: Placental tissue banking, in addition to cord blood and tissue.
• Key Benefit: Provides multipotent cells that may support healing and help reduce inflammation.

Ultimate Family Plan

• Cost: Roughly $293/month (24 months, with 15% off multi-service 20-year plans).
• Features Added: Newborn exosome banking at 10× traditional concentrations.
• Key Benefit: Includes cord blood, cord tissue, placental tissue, and exosomes, which support emerging regenerative therapies.

Maximum Family Plan

• Features Added: Maternal exosome banking, lifetime storage, priority 24-hour processing, and concierge services.
• Key Benefit: Includes free genetic counseling and is ideal for families requiring long-term storage and advanced regenerative medicine options.

Picking the Right Plan for Your Family

Choosing the best plan depends on your family’s medical history and future health goals. For example:

• Families with a history of blood cancers or immune disorders may find the Essential Plan suitable.
• Those dealing with autoimmune or orthopedic concerns might prefer the Advanced or Complete Plans for access to mesenchymal stem cells.
• The Ultimate and Maximum Plans are ideal for families focused on regenerative medicine, particularly if there’s a 25% chance of sibling matching.

Budget is another important factor. Lifetime investments range from about $5,000 for the Essential Plan over 20 years to around $10,000 for the Maximum Plan with lifetime storage. Financing options are available, including 0% APR plans over 12–24 months. You may also use HSA or FSA funds with a Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor. Additionally, some insurance plans or employer programs offer reimbursements of up to $2,000 in over 30 states. Through March 31, 2026, Americord is offering a 30% discount on multi-service lifetime plans, making long-term investments more accessible.

With these options, you can select a stem cell banking plan that aligns with your family’s health priorities and financial needs.

Conclusion

The 2nd trimester anatomy scan gives a detailed look at your baby's development, examining everything from brain structures to heart function. This scan plays a key role in identifying conditions that might need extra care after birth. As Cleveland Clinic explains, "The ultrasound helps detect potentially life-altering health conditions. This can allow both you and your healthcare team to plan for any extra care your baby may need after birth."

Beyond tracking your baby's growth, the scan helps you take proactive steps for their future health. One option to consider is stem cell banking with Americord Registry. They preserve cord blood, tissue, placental tissue, and exosomes - resources that could be valuable for potential regenerative therapies. Whether you opt for the Essential Family Plan or the Maximum Family Plan, these choices are designed to align with your family's health priorities and complement the insights from the scan.

Discuss your scan results with your healthcare provider and explore how stem cell banking with Americord Registry could be a part of your plan. With financing options available, it's an opportunity to safeguard your baby's future health.

FAQs

What can the anatomy scan miss?

The anatomy scan is a crucial tool in monitoring a baby’s development, but it does have its limitations. Certain congenital abnormalities might go undetected, such as some brain cysts that typically disappear by 28 weeks, cleft palate, or specific heart defects. Factors like the baby’s position and the level of detail the ultrasound captures can affect what the scan reveals. While highly valuable, it’s not capable of identifying every possible issue.

When would I need a repeat scan?

If the initial anatomy scan doesn't provide clear results, shows areas of concern, or requires a closer look at specific fetal structures, a repeat scan might be recommended. Your healthcare provider will let you know if further imaging is needed to ensure a complete and detailed evaluation of your baby's growth and well-being.

When should I enroll in stem cell banking?

It's a good idea to sign up for stem cell banking early - ideally during the second trimester. Many parents find the timing of the second trimester anatomy scan a convenient point to make this decision, ensuring everything is set up in time for the collection and storage of their baby's stem cells.