Morphology scan

A morphology scan is a routine antenatal test usually done during the second trimester at 18 to 20 weeks of pregnancy. It's an ultrasound scan used to see how your pregnancy is progressing. You may be able to find out the sex of your baby.

Your doctor or midwife is likely to recommend you have a morphology scan, but whether you have one is your choice. In Australia, you have the right to ask questions and make informed decisions about your pregnancy.

A morphology scan is sometimes called a 'fetal anomaly' scan because it can provide information about if your baby could have any congenital anomalies (birth differences).

A morphology scan provides information about how your baby is growing and developing.

A morphology scan looks at your baby's:

• head and brain
• spine
• heart
• abdomen (tummy)
• arms, legs, hands and feet

It also looks at:

• your placenta
• your umbilical cord
• the amount of amniotic fluid (fluid surrounding the baby) you have

A morphology scan can also tell you:

• how many babies are in your uterus (womb)
• the estimated age of your baby
• the estimated due date (or EDD)

Depending on the position of your baby, the scan may also be able to tell you the sex of your baby — if you would like to know it.

​​​​​​​What won't the morphology scan tell me about my baby?

A morphology scan can't diagnose genetic problems (Opens in new tab), such as Down syndrome.

If there are concerns about genetic conditions, you can talk to your doctor or midwife about diagnostic tests. Tests such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis can be used to diagnose genetic conditions.

A morphology scan is the most common scan that is done during pregnancy, but the choice to have one is yours.

During pregnancy, you and your doctor and midwife will decide together which tests you will have. You will be given information about the morphology scan so that you can make an informed decision.

A morphology scan is usually done by a sonographer (ultrasound technician) who has had special training to do ultrasounds during pregnancy.

Sometimes, a specialist doctor will also review the scan to help better understand your baby's development.

A morphology scan is usually done:

• in a radiology clinic
• in an ultrasound clinic
• at a hospital

A morphology scan can usually be done through your abdomen (tummy).

If your morphology scan is done through your abdomen it will follow these steps:

• The sonographer will apply a gel to your abdomen.
• The sonographer will gently move an ultrasound wand across your abdomen. It shouldn't hurt, but the gel can feel cold.
• The ultrasound wand sends information back to the ultrasound machine which creates images of your uterus.
• The sonographer will take lots of measurements — these results are used to check your baby's size, age and heart rate.

​​​​​​​Transvaginal ultrasound scan

You may need a transvaginal ultrasound scan to get a clearer picture of your uterus (womb). In this case, your sonographer will suggest the morphology scan is done through your vagina.

If you agree to have your scan this way, the sonographer will need to gently insert a small, lubricated ultrasound probe into your vagina. The probe may be a little uncomfortable but isn't usually painful.

Before a transvaginal ultrasound scan, your sonographer will explain why this type of scan is recommended and what will happen. You do not have to have the scan if you do not want to, and it will only proceed with your consent.

Talk with your midwife or doctor about why they recommend a morphology scan.

Your midwife or the ultrasound clinic will tell you how to best prepare for your scan. In many cases you won't need to do anything special to get ready.

You might need to:

• wear loose clothing on the day
• drink some water before the scan so that your bladder is full — this makes it easier to see the images.

There is no increased risk of miscarriage or harm to your baby with a morphology scan.

The sound waves used during an ultrasound are harmless to your baby — unlike an x-ray (Opens in new tab), there is no radiation used.

The results of your morphology scan will usually be available on the same day. You can ask for a copy of the images.

A full report from the radiologist (a specialist doctor) will be sent to your doctor or midwife.

If there are any abnormal findings from the scan, a doctor will contact you to discuss what they mean.

The morphology scan is a screening test to examine your baby's development. Around 1 or 2 in every 100 morphology scans will find a possible fetal anomaly (abnormality).

If your morphology scan finds an anomaly, you will be referred for further testing. This could be another ultrasound or a diagnostic test.

Ask your doctor to explain the results. You can also visit a counsellor to discuss your results.

A normal morphology scan does not guarantee that your baby will not have any birth differences.

Medicare will cover the cost of a morphology scan, but there may be out-of-pocket costs depending on where you go for your scan.

Ask your doctor or the clinic if there will be any out-of-pocket costs when you book your appointment.

You can bring your partner, a family member or a friend to your morphology scan. It can be useful for another person to hear the information provided so that you can chat about it afterwards.

They will also be able to see images of your baby on the screen.

​​​​​​​Questions for your doctor

Here are some questions you might want to ask your midwife or doctor:

• Why are you offering me this test?
• What does the procedure involve?
• Do I need to do anything on the day to get ready?
• When will I get the results?
• How will I get the results?
• Do I need to do anything to care for myself after the procedure?

More questions to ask your doctor about tests and scans.

Speak with your midwife or doctor to help you decide if a morphology scan is right for you.

Read about Checkups, scans and tests during pregnancy.

Visit the Inside Radiology (Opens in new tab)page to find out more about

• the 18 to 20-week pregnancy ultrasound (Opens in new tab)
• a transvaginal ultrasound (Opens in new tab)

Languages other than English

You can read factsheets about pregnancy and birth (Opens in new tab) in many languages on the Royal Women's Hospital (Opens in new tab) page.