Obstetric ultrasound traces its origins to Glasgow in 1956, when engineer Tom Brown and obstetrician Ian Donald developed the first clinical prototype — a technology adapted from instruments originally used to detect flaws in ships. By 1960, Glasgow hospitals were already using ultrasound routinely in clinical practice, though the technology did not reach American and British hospitals more broadly until the 1970s. Today, pregnancy scans are considered a standard part of antenatal care across Ireland and other developed countries, spanning a range of appointments from early pregnancy scans at 6–11 weeks through to post-dates assessments at 40 weeks and beyond. Merrion Fetal Health offers this full spectrum of scans, with patients noting the clinic's detailed anatomical assessments and the experience of viewing the baby on a large screen during appointments such as the 20-week anatomy survey.
- Ultrasound was first used for clinical purposes in Glasgow in 1956, developed by engineer Tom Brown and obstetrician Ian Donald.
- The first ultrasound prototype was based on an instrument originally designed to detect flaws in ships.
- By 1960, Glasgow hospitals were using ultrasound routinely for clinical purposes.
- Ultrasound did not become standard practice in American and British hospitals until the 1970s.
- Early pregnancy scans at Merrion Fetal Health are offered from 6 to 11 weeks of pregnancy.
- The Nuchal Translucency scan is performed between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
- The Anatomy Survey scan is carried out between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy.
It may surprise you to know, that our Celtic relatives in Glasgow, were the first to use ultrasound back in 1956, for clinical purposes. The first prototype was developed by an engineer, Tom Brown, and an obstetrician, Ian Donald. Believe it or not, the concept was based upon an instrument which was originally used to find flaws in ships. The team perfected its use for clinical purposes, and actually by 1960 Glasgow hospitals were using ultrasound routinely. Funnily enough, it didn’t take off in American and British hospitals until the 1970s.
Of course, since then ultrasound imaging has undergone an incredible amount of development, and by the end of the 20th century, the majority of women in the developed countries of the Western world were going for routine pregnancy scans.
Today women in Ireland and other developed countries have come to expect ultrasound pregnancy scans as being an integral part of their pregnancy journey. In a way, we may have even come to take these pregnancy scans for granted a little bit, and maybe it is only at that moment when we are considering our first early pregnancy scan, that we may really give the technology more thought.
Pregnancy scans explained
Pregnancy Scans FAQs
How many scans do you have when you are pregnant?
When are pregnancy scans offered in Ireland under the public health system? In Ireland, general best practice on our public health system offers two scans during pregnancy. Although some hospitals may have more limited resources in terms of scanner availability. However, normally, you will be offered a pregnancy scan at 12 weeks and then around 20 weeks.
The early pregnancy scan at 12 weeks is to confirm that the pregnancy is viable, in other words, that your baby is developing healthily.
This pregnancy scan confirms your baby’s heartbeat, while also checking if you are carrying multiples (twins or a larger number of babies). It also sites the pregnancy, confirming that it is your uterus. Gestational age is calculated during the early pregnancy scan. Gestational age is the age of your baby calculated from the date of your last menstrual period.
The anatomy scan, which is carried out around 20 weeks, examines your baby’s anatomy in great detail. This scan should hopefully confirm that your baby’s body is forming correctly. Sadly in some cases, abnormalities may be detected during this scan. For example problems with baby’s organs, limbs, spine, heart or brain can be detected.
When should you go for your first pregnancy scan?
If you are not considered high risk, or nothing abnormal has occurred during the first trimester of your pregnancy, then the first ultrasound is offered to you at 12 weeks in Ireland. This is called either a dating scan (as it calculates your baby’s gestational age) or an early pregnancy scan.
What months do you get ultrasounds during pregnancy?
In Ireland, women are normally offered a scan at the end of the first trimester, when they are 12 gestational weeks pregnant, so at the end of the third month. Then the second scan offered on the public health system is around 20 weeks, so about month five.
Do you usually get an ultrasound in the third trimester?
Unless there is some special reason to monitor your baby during the third trimester, you will not be offered a scan at this stage. However, women over 35 years of age may be offered a scan during the third trimester.
Of course, if your obstetrician knows that there is a particular risk or needs to monitor your baby’s development, you will be offered a scan at this time.
Another option that women in Ireland have, it to go semi-private. Some women do this for a variety of reasons. This article about this option is a useful read.
How do you know how many weeks pregnant you are?
The amount of weeks you are pregnant is actually calculated from the day of your LMP (last menstrual period). Here you can use the pregnancy due date calculator.
Is it bad to have a lot of ultrasounds during pregnancy?
Pregnancy ultrasound scans have been carried out for decades and up to now, there has been no evidence to suggest that they are harmful. The sonographer, who is the person who carries out the scans, it highly trained to ensure that the scan is safe for you and your baby.
What birth defects can be detected by an ultrasound?
Some physical birth defects can be detected at the 20-week pregnancy scan. These include spina bifida, heart defects, some types of kidney problems, cleft palate in certain cases and absent limbs.
Can you tell if a baby has Down syndrome in an ultrasound?
During the 20-week ultrasound scan, it is possible to see fluid positioned on the back of a baby’s neck. This may indicate that the baby has Down Syndrome, however further tests need to be done, to make an accurate diagnosis.
Traditionally a woman then needed to have a nuchal translucency test. However there are some risks associated with this and these days, you have the option of a non-invasive test called the Harmony Prenatal Test. The Harmony Test doesn’t put you or your baby at risk.
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DISCLAIMER
All articles on the blog and website are intended as information only. Please do not consider any of the information provided here as a substitute for medical advice. At all times seek medical advice directly with your own doctor and medical team.
ANNOUNCEMENT
This website was formerly Merrion Fetal Health. The clinic has undergone a rebrand and is now known as Merrion Ultrasound.
Who invented the first ultrasound prototype used in pregnancy?
The first ultrasound prototype was developed by engineer Tom Brown and obstetrician Ian Donald in Glasgow in 1956. Their design was based on an instrument originally used to detect flaws in ships.
When did hospitals first start using ultrasound routinely for pregnancy?
Glasgow hospitals were using ultrasound routinely by 1960, making them among the earliest adopters of the technology for clinical purposes. American and British hospitals did not widely adopt pregnancy ultrasound until the 1970s.
What types of pregnancy scans are available and when are they performed?
Common pregnancy scans include Early Pregnancy Scans at 6–11 weeks, Nuchal Translucency scans at 12–14 weeks, Later Dating scans at 12–17 weeks, Anatomy Survey scans at 18–22 weeks, Gender Scans from 19 weeks onwards, Growth and Well-Being scans from 22 weeks onwards, and Post Dates and Liquor scans from 40 weeks onwards.
What is a Nuchal Translucency scan?
A Nuchal Translucency scan is a pregnancy ultrasound performed between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation. It is one of the standard scans offered during pregnancy.
What is an Anatomy Survey scan and when is it done?
An Anatomy Survey scan is a detailed pregnancy ultrasound carried out between 18 and 22 weeks. It examines the baby's anatomy and takes key measurements, as described by patients at Merrion Fetal Health who reported having measurements and anatomy talked through during the scan.
From what week can a Gender Scan be performed?
A Gender Scan can be performed from 19 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
What is a Post Dates and Liquor scan?
A Post Dates and Liquor scan is a pregnancy ultrasound offered from 40 weeks onwards. It is used to monitor the pregnancy after the estimated due date has passed.
Where was ultrasound first used clinically for pregnancy purposes?
Ultrasound was first used clinically in Glasgow, Scotland, beginning in 1956. By 1960, Glasgow hospitals had incorporated ultrasound into routine practice.