13 wekenecho in Nuth | Echocentrum het Lichtpunt

13-week ultrasound

Medical 13-week ultrasound

The 13-week ultrasound

After the dating scan with your midwife, you can make an appointment with us for the medical 13-week scan . This scan is performed as part of a nationwide scientific study: the IMITAS study .

You choose where you want to have this ultrasound performed: at Echocentrum het Lichtpunt or in the hospital. We are happy to guide you through this special examination and take the time to carefully inform you about it.

During the 13-week ultrasound, your baby is still small. Therefore, the focus is primarily on examining serious physical abnormalities that may be visible at that time. Fortunately, these abnormalities are rare: 96% of children develop healthily.

Approximately six weeks later, you can have the 20-week ultrasound performed. Your baby is larger by then, making more physical details visible and the examination more extensive.

The 13-week and 20-week ultrasounds complement each other and do not replace one another. Both examinations are intended to detect possible physical abnormalities early. Participation is voluntary. You decide for yourself whether to have the ultrasound performed, what to do with the results, and whether you wish to undergo any follow-up examinations.

Would you like to know more about the 13-week ultrasound? On the RIVM website, you will find comprehensive information about the examination and the options.Wil je meer weten over de 13 wekenecho? Op de website van het RIVM vind je uitgebreide informatie over het onderzoek en de mogelijkheden.

In good hands

To perform the 13-week ultrasound, Echocentrum het Lichtpunt has an agreement with the Regional Centre for Prenatal Screening (MUMC+). This official population screening is coordinated by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).

Echocentrum het Lichtpunt operates in accordance with national quality guidelines and has therefore been a recognized and reliable partner in prenatal screening for 20 years. No adverse effects on mother and child are known from the use of ultrasound equipment.

You choose Echocentrum het Lichtpunt because of our expertise and warm commitment. Our team of qualified sonographers and practice assistants cater to your wishes. Upon entering, you immediately experience the tranquillity and relaxed atmosphere of our luxurious ambiance in the historic centre of Nuth.

You will receive a professional medical ultrasound performed in a personal manner.

When to apply? / Who to bring?

The 13-week ultrasound is a medical examination and must be performed between 12 weeks and 3 days and 14 weeks and 3 days.

The midwife determines the exact due date early in your pregnancy using a dating scan. Once the due date is known, and you opt for the 13-week scan, the midwife will create a digital referral. You can then contact Echocentrum het Lichtpunt to schedule an appointment for the 13-week scan. If you would also like to schedule the 20-week scan with us, it is possible to make both appointments at the same time.

You are very welcome with your partner. (If they are unable to attend, you may bring one adult.) It is not permitted to bring children to the 13-week and 20-week ultrasounds.

Why is this ultrasound?

With the 13-week ultrasound, you can have your baby examined early in pregnancy to see if it might have serious physical abnormalities. Fortunately, these abnormalities are rare (approximately 5%), but they can sometimes be serious and have consequences for your baby’s health during or shortly after birth.

Because your baby is still very small during the 13-week ultrasound, the options are limited. If there are indications that something is not developing properly, it is valuable to know this as early as possible. This gives you and your partner the opportunity to discuss appropriate guidance and any follow-up examinations in a timely manner.

During the 13-week ultrasound, the sonographer assesses, among other things:

skull and basal brain structures, four-chamber view of the heart
size of the abdomen and abdominal wall
the arms and legs
spine and the skin
nuchal <fold < 3.5 mm
placenta
amount of amniotic fluid

Unfortunately, we cannot tell you the baby’s gender at the 13-week ultrasound.

Approximately six weeks later, you can choose to have the 20-week ultrasound performed. Your baby is then about four times larger, allowing more details and other structures to be examined in greater detail.

Freedom of choice

For all medical ultrasounds, parents are free to choose where to have their ultrasounds performed. This is entirely independent of your healthcare provider. You can choose to have this ultrasound done at Echocentrum het Lichtpunt or at the hospital. If you choose het Lichtpunt, you will receive a professional medical ultrasound performed in a personal manner.

You are welcomed by our practice assistants in a warm, luxurious ambiance. Upon entering, you immediately feel a sense of calm wash over you. Our sonographers possess extensive expertise thanks to 20 years of experience.

Help with all choices

With the introduction of the 13-week ultrasound, parents have to make many choices early in pregnancy. You will receive an explanation of all the options from your midwife during the counseling session. After the dating scan, you can choose the NIPT; the 13-week scan and/or the 20-week scan.

The purpose of both ultrasounds is to rule out serious physical abnormalities. The NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) focuses specifically on the three most common chromosomal abnormalities:

Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)
Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)

The NIPT is a safe test for mother and child because blood is only drawn from the mother. The decision to have this test performed is always personal.

You can find more information about all the options on the RIVM website, or read the RIVM 13-20 week ultrasound brochure on our homepage.