Understanding your 20-week scan

This scan looks at how the baby is developing: the heart, the brain, the spine, the kidneys, the limbs, and how the placenta is positioned. It is a medical examination rather than a photo opportunity, which is why the room often goes quiet while the sonographer works. Many but not all conditions can be seen at this stage, and a normal scan is reassuring rather than a guarantee. You can usually find out the sex if you want to, and you can ask not to be told. Say which you prefer at the start.