If you're pregnant in England you'll be offered an ultrasound scan at around 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy. This is called the dating scan. Your midwife or doctor will book you a dating scan appointment. It will usually take place at your local hospital ultrasound department and are usually carried out by sonographers.
The purpose of the dating scan is to check:
- how many weeks pregnant you are and work out your due date (the estimated date of delivery, or EDD)
- whether you're expecting more than 1 baby
- that the baby is growing in the right place
- your baby's development
The dating scan can also detect some health conditions, such as spina bifida and can contribute towards a screening test for Down’s syndrome.