05 – 11 Weeks
Your baby has grown considerably; at ten weeks, it’s already the size of a chocolate!
Your body is working hard to help your baby grow. During this period, you may also experience the first pregnancy symptoms. Would you like to know more about pregnancy symptoms? Check our library.
First Trimester Ultrasound
Ultrasounds can only be performed at our main location on Weimarstraat. If you are unable to come to this location, we will gladly help find an alternative solution.
Early Ultrasound
Especially in the beginning, you might feel uncertain about your pregnancy. Is everything alright? Is there a heartbeat? You can get reassurance by having an early ultrasound with us. During this scan, we check if there’s a heartbeat, if the baby is properly positioned in your uterus (not outside the uterus), and whether there are single or multiple babies.
It’s almost always possible to perform this ultrasound through the abdomen, but in some cases, we need to examine the baby transvaginally. Besides addressing uncertainty, there may be other reasons for an early ultrasound. We will discuss this during your intake appointment.
Dating Scan
During the first check-up, we calculate your due date based on your last menstruation. To verify this date, we perform a dating scan. This ultrasound is done between 10 and 12 weeks to confirm your due date. During this scan, we can see if there’s a heartbeat and whether it’s a multiple pregnancy.
The Intake
The first check-up will take approximately 45 minutes. During this initial appointment, we will ask many questions about your health and lifestyle, both yours and your partner’s. We also perform several tests, such as measuring blood pressure and weight. We discuss the health of immediate family members regarding hereditary diseases or abnormalities and provide expert information on maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
When necessary, we consult with the gynecologist to create an appropriate care path for you, aiming for the healthiest possible start for your child. You will also receive a referral for blood tests and an appointment for the first dating scan.
We understand that this might be too much information to process at once. Therefore, you’ll receive information brochures about pregnancy, structural ultrasound examination, and prenatal screening. We will counsel you about the latter two aspects if you wish to receive more information during the appointment. In our practice, we always try to combine an early ultrasound with a discussion about prenatal screening. If you wish to have this discussion earlier, you can always indicate this during your first phone call.
Prenatal Screening
Several examinations are offered during pregnancy. It’s important to carefully review the information provided about these examinations. Most pregnancies proceed without problems. Only four percent of babies have a hereditary condition or congenital abnormality at birth; less than 0.5% involve serious abnormalities.
Every pregnant woman in the Netherlands has the option to undergo prenatal screening to detect potential conditions before birth. These types of examinations are called prenatal screening. The purpose is to offer various options for action, such as starting treatment or terminating the pregnancy.
NIPT
The NIPT is a blood test used as a screening method to detect Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome. You can choose whether you want this test. If you’ve indicated that you want more information about prenatal screening, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive discussion about the options. For more information, brochures, and animated videos, visit www.pns.nl, the website about pre- and neonatal (after birth) screenings. We’re happy to inform you!
13 Week and 20 Week Ultrasound
The 13- and 20-week ultrasounds are also called structural ultrasound examinations (SEO). The main purpose of the 13/20-week ultrasound is to examine for the possible presence of spina bifida or an open skull. This ultrasound also thoroughly examines the development of the baby’s organs. Other physical abnormalities may also be detected. Additionally, we check if the baby is growing well, the position of the placenta, and whether there is sufficient amniotic fluid.
The 13/20-week ultrasound is not a guarantee for a healthy baby. Not all abnormalities can be detected by ultrasound. The ultrasound is not mandatory. If no abnormalities are seen, this can be reassuring. When an abnormality is detected, you face a difficult decision. We will then refer you to a specialized hospital for another ultrasound. They can tell you whether there is actually an abnormality and what the follow-up process will be.
For more information, brochures, and animated videos, visit www.pns.nl, the website about pre- and neonatal (after birth) screenings.
Prenatal Diagnostics
Prenatal screening is screening for everyone, regardless of whether there is an increased risk of a congenital abnormality. In contrast, prenatal diagnostics is a targeted examination for pregnant women who DO have an increased risk of a child with a congenital abnormality.
We consider there to be an increased chance of a congenital abnormality when:
- The NIPT shows an abnormal result;
- There are certain hereditary conditions in your family (for example, a child with spina bifida);
- The thirteen and/or twenty-week ultrasound shows indications of a possible congenital abnormality.
If there is no increased risk of a congenital abnormality beforehand, you only have the choice of the NIPT test and/or the thirteen and/or twenty-week ultrasound.
Read more about prenatal diagnostics here.
Centering Pregnancy
Join Centering Pregnancy for a different approach to pregnancy care! With this form of care, your pregnancy check-ups take place in ten two-hour sessions. These appointments are with other pregnant women who are expecting their babies around the same time as you.
We don’t make it a cozy chat group, but create a space where there’s plenty of time and attention to discuss things that really matter in your pregnancy. You often build bonds with your group members that can be valuable for years after giving birth.
There’s also a place for partners within Centering Pregnancy. Experience shows that women who have participated look back on their pregnancy and delivery more positively and feel more empowered. We want this for everyone! When registering, you can indicate if you would like to choose this form of care during your pregnancy.
