Which ultrasounds will I get

During your pregnancy, you’ll have several ultrasounds at different stages. Some are standard and offered to everyone — for example, the dating scan, which determines your due date, and the 20-week anomaly scan, where we take an in-depth look at your baby’s development. These standard ultrasounds are part of regular maternity care in the Netherlands.

Sometimes there’s a medical reason to perform additional ultrasounds — for instance, if there are concerns about your baby’s growth or if you’ve had complications in a previous pregnancy. These scans are always tailored to your situation and discussed with you during your appointments.

You can also choose to have an extra ultrasound simply to see your baby again — this is called a non-medical (fun) ultrasound or “pretecho.” Some parents choose this to find out the baby’s sex, or just to enjoy that special moment together.

In summary:

The standard ultrasounds

• Viability scan at 7–8 weeks
• Dating scan at 10–11 weeks
• 13-week scan
• 20-week scan
• Head-down position check at 36 weeks

Additional ultrasounds (medical reasons)

• Growth scan between 28–39 weeks
• Placenta location (if unclear during the 20-week scan)

Optional (fun) ultrasounds

• Gender reveal scan at 15 weeks
• Growth scan between 28–39 weeks
• Fun scan anytime between 8–39 weeks

Let’s explain a bit more:

The standard ultrasounds

In the Netherlands, everyone is entitled to at least four ultrasounds covered by insurance, as they are considered medically necessary. The viability and head-down position scans are not always reimbursed, but we believe they’re important. That’s why our practice covers the cost if your insurance does not.

• Viability scan at 7–8 weeks
  The first ultrasound you can have is the viability scan. During this scan we check if the heartbeat is visible, if the baby is in the right place, whether it’s a multiple pregnancy, and how big the baby is.
• Dating scan at 10–11 weeks
  This scan allows us to measure very accurately how far along you are and determine your due date.
• 13-week scan between 12+3 and 14+3 weeks
  The 13-week scan is a medical examination in which the sonographer checks for possible physical abnormalities in your baby.
• 20-week scan between 18+0 and 20+0 weeks
  The 20-week scan is also a medical examination that looks for structural or physical abnormalities. Some may already be visible at 13 weeks, but at 20 weeks more details can be seen because your baby is further developed. If you’d like, you can also find out your baby’s sex during this scan.
• Head-down position check at 36 weeks
  At 36 weeks, everyone in our practice receives a “head-and-bottom” ultrasound to confirm that your baby is lying head-down.

Additional ultrasounds for medical reasons

Sometimes additional scans are necessary — for example, if we suspect your baby is growing too slowly or too fast, or if the placenta might be covering the cervix. These scans are medically indicated and covered by your insurance.

• Growth scan (between 28–39 weeks)
  During a growth scan we measure your baby at several points to estimate the current weight and assess the amount of amniotic fluid.
• Placenta location scan (after 32 weeks)
  If at 20 weeks the placenta was close to the cervix, we’ll perform another scan around 32 weeks. By that time, the placenta will have settled, allowing us to confirm its final position.

Optional (fun) ultrasounds

Would you like an extra ultrasound just for fun, without a medical reason? That’s called a “fun scan” and costs €55. You can call or email our assistant to schedule one.

• Gender reveal scan at 15 weeks
  From 15 weeks onward, we can see whether you’re expecting a boy or a girl. We can tell you during the scan or write it down in a sealed envelope for a surprise later! The sonographer will always clearly indicate how certain she is of the result.
• Growth scan (between 28–39 weeks)
  During a growth scan we take the same measurements and estimate your baby’s weight, as well as check the amniotic fluid.
• Fun scan – just to admire your baby (between 8–39 weeks)

Because ultrasounds are not harmful to you or your baby, you can have as many as you like if it makes you feel more comfortable.