Pregnancy Scans: What Each Ultrasound Is For, and the Routine Tests

The room is dimly lit, the gel is cold, and a small moving shape appears on the screen. Every pregnancy scan is a big moment, often eagerly awaited by the whole family. It is also a precise medical examination, with a different purpose in each trimester.

Here is what each ultrasound is for, when it takes place, which tests go with it, and the questions to ask so you leave the room having understood everything.

How many scans during pregnancy?

It depends on the country. For an uncomplicated pregnancy, the UK and Switzerland plan at least two routine scans, around 12 and 20 weeks. France recommends three, in the 3rd, 5th and 8th months, according to French national health insurance. Extra scans are added if the situation calls for it: bleeding, twins, growth that needs monitoring, diabetes…

In Morocco, the schedule depends on where you are followed: a gynaecologist in private practice, a clinic, a hospital or a public health centre. Ask for it at your first visit and note the dates. All the weeks below are counted from the first day of your last period, shown as SA (semaines d'aménorrhée) in Moroccan notes: if that count is unclear, see how to work out how many weeks pregnant you are.

Before 11 weeks: an early scan, sometimes

A very early scan is not routine. It may be requested if you have bleeding, pain or doubts about your dates, especially to check that the pregnancy is inside the uterus. At this stage, the probe is sometimes placed in the vagina for a better view. According to the Larousse encyclopaedia, the gestational sac is visible from around 5 weeks, the embryo around 6 weeks, and the heartbeat can be seen clearly around 7 weeks.

The first scan (11 to 14 weeks): dating and screening

This is the dating scan, offered between 10 and 14 weeks in the UK and between 11 and 13 weeks in Quebec. It is used to:

• set the due date, by measuring the embryo's length from head to bottom: this is the most accurate method;
• count the embryos and check that their size matches the dates;
• measure nuchal translucency, a thin layer of fluid under the skin at the back of the neck, which is part of the calculation of the chance of a chromosomal condition;
• take a first look at the baby's development, which will be examined in detail in the second trimester.

Down syndrome (trisomy 21) screening combines, between 11 and 14 weeks, the nuchal translucency measurement and a blood test. It is offered, never imposed: in Quebec as in the UK, you can accept or decline at every step. If the result shows a higher chance, you will be offered a test of fetal DNA in your blood, or a diagnostic test such as amniocentesis.

The second scan (20 to 22 weeks): checking the organs

It is often called the anomaly scan or morphology scan: the sonographer reviews the baby's organs one by one. Between 18 and 22 weeks, according to the Mayo Clinic, they examine in particular the four chambers of the heart and its valves, the brain and cerebellum, the spine, the hands, the legs and where the cord joins the tummy.

It also checks the baby's growth, the amount of amniotic fluid and where the placenta lies. This is often when you can find out the sex, if the baby's position allows and if you want to know: it is all explained in our article on boy or girl: when and how to find out.

The third scan (around 32 weeks): getting ready for the birth

In the French schedule, which many Moroccan gynaecologists follow, it takes place during the 8th month, around 32 weeks. It checks:

• the baby's growth;
• their position, head down or breech;
• where the placenta lies;
• the amount of amniotic fluid.

Its findings help your gynaecologist prepare for the birth. To follow your baby's progress between examinations, our article on pregnancy week by week gives size and weight markers.

Routine blood and urine tests

The scan doesn't tell you everything. Blood and urine tests punctuate the pregnancy. The list varies by country, but generally includes:

Toxoplasmosis is a good illustration of the differences between countries: French national health insurance tests for it routinely, while the Quebec programme does not list it among the basic tests. If you are not immune, everyday precautions matter a great deal: they are detailed in our article on toxoplasmosis in pregnancy.

Antenatal care in Morocco: a few practical pointers

In the public and private sectors alike, keep all your scan reports and test results in one folder, and bring it to every appointment and on the day of the birth. The cost of scans and tests varies between practices and laboratories: check in advance with your gynaecologist and with your health insurance (AMO) or top-up insurer what is covered.

A health record cover keeps these papers together and clean, and will later hold baby's health record book.

From the shop

Keep your health record safe

Scan reports, test results, then baby's health record book: a cover keeps all these papers clean and together. Several designs, at similar prices.

• −48 %Pasito a PasitoCotton health record cover, white – Pasito a Pasito234 DHinstead of 450 DHView product
• −48 %Pasito a PasitoChloé health record cover, grey – Pasito a Pasito312 DHinstead of 600 DHView product
• −48 %Pasito a PasitoBohemian health record cover, pink – Pasito a Pasito312 DHinstead of 600 DHView product
• −48 %Pasito a PasitoBohemian health record cover, grey – Pasito a Pasito312 DHinstead of 600 DHView product
• −48 %Pasito a PasitoNido Volante health record cover, blue – Pasito a Pasito354 DHinstead of 680 DHView product
• The whole aisle · Health record covers6 products online, delivered anywhere in Morocco.Open the aisle

Products sold by La Maison du Bébé, publisher of this magazine. Prices as of 12 October 2026; please check the product page.

Scans done outside medical care, as "3D keepsakes", do not replace any of these examinations. The Mayo Clinic notes that most professionals advise against them when they meet no medical need.