A morphology scan is an exciting and important part of pregnancy care, usually performed between 20 – 22 weeks. It provides a detailed look at your baby’s development, checking everything from major organs to limb growth and placenta health. The morphology scan will also look at your cervix.
Many parents have questions about what to expect, including how accurate the scan is, whether it can detect all abnormalities, and if it will reveal the baby’s gender.
You might also wonder what happens if the baby is in a difficult position, whether you can bring a support person, or if additional scans might be needed.
In this fact sheet, we’ll answer these common questions so you can feel prepared and confident for your upcoming scan:
During a morphology scan, you’ll lie on an examination bed while the sonographer applies a warm ultrasound gel to your abdomen. This helps the ultrasound probe move smoothly and capture clear images. The scan is painless, though you may feel some light pressure as the sonographer moves the probe around to check different areas.
The sonographer will carefully examine your baby’s major organs, limbs, spine, brain, and face. They will also check the cervix, placenta, umbilical cord, and amniotic fluid levels to ensure everything is developing as expected. If the baby is in a difficult position, you may be asked to shift positions or take a short walk to encourage movement.
The scan usually takes 45 minutes, but this can vary depending on a variety of reasons such as fetal position or if there were any concerns visualised during the scan. If clear images aren’t obtained, you may need a follow-up scan. While the sonographer can explain what they’re looking at, the final report is sent to your doctor.
Fetal heart assessment
Can a Morphology Scan Detect Everything?
A morphology scan provides a detailed assessment of your baby’s development, but it can’t detect everything. It is primarily used to check for structural abnormalities in major organs, limbs, and the spine. However, some conditions may not be visible at this stage, and certain issues, such as genetic disorders, cannot be diagnosed through ultrasound alone.
If the scan raises any concerns or if the images are unclear, your doctor may recommend follow-up scans or additional tests. This could include another ultrasound at a later stage, a fetal echocardiogram to check the baby’s heart, or more advanced testing like amniocentesis or NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) if a genetic condition is suspected.
Results from the scan are performed from highly trained sonographers interpreted by specialist doctors (Obstetric and gynaecology sonologists or Maternal Fetal Medicine specialists).
Will My Morphology Scan Show My Baby’s Gender?
A morphology scan can usually detect your baby’s gender, but it’s not guaranteed. The sonographer determines gender by looking at the baby’s external genitalia on the ultrasound. If the baby is in a good position with clear visibility, gender identification is usually accurate.
However, several factors can affect how well the sonographer can see the baby’s anatomy. Baby’s position, gestational age, amniotic fluid levels, and maternal body composition can all impact clarity. While accuracy is generally high,gender predictions are not 100% certain, due to a variety of reasons.
If the sonographer can’t determine gender, they may suggest waiting until a later scan, such as a growth scan, where gender may be more visible or request that it be checked by the reporting QUFW doctor. Some parents also choose to confirm through non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). NIPT has a high detection rate for chromosomal abnormalities such as Trisomy 21. As the sex chromosomes are also assessed, gender may also be provided. As this is still only a screening test, correlation of the external genitalia by the ultrasound and the NIPT results is recommended.
Please note, you can choose to wait until birth to discover your baby’s gender! At QUFW, we will not tell you unless you ask or we have checked with you previously.
How Accurate Is a Morphology Scan?
A morphology scan is a highly detailed ultrasound, but it isn’t 100% accurate in detecting all abnormalities. While it provides a thorough check of your baby’s organs, limbs, and overall development, some conditions may not be visible due to the limitations of ultrasound technology.
Several factors can affect the clarity of images, including baby’s position, placenta location, amniotic fluid levels, and larger bodied person. If the baby is facing away or in a difficult position, some areas may be harder to assess, and a follow-up scan may be needed.
Certain conditions only become apparent later in pregnancy as the baby grows. Some heart defects, skeletal conditions, and developmental concerns may not be obvious at 20–22 weeks but could be detected in later scans. If needed, your doctor may recommend additional ultrasounds or further testing to monitor your baby’s health as your pregnancy progresses.
The Difference Between a Morphology Scan and Other Pregnancy Scans
A morphology scan is different from other pregnancy scans because it provides a detailed structural assessment of your baby’s development. Unlike a dating scan, which is done earlier in pregnancy to estimate your due date, the morphology scan checks major organs, limbs, and the placenta to ensure everything is forming as expected. A morphology scan also assesses your cervix.
A growth scan, on the other hand, is typically done later in pregnancy to monitor fetal size, amniotic fluid levels, and placental function, rather than looking for structural abnormalities.
The morphology scan is an important milestone because it can help identify potential abnormalities and provide reassurance that your baby is developing well. It also helps assess the placenta’s position, which is important for planning a safe delivery.
Sometimes, additional scans are needed. If the morphology scan is inconclusive, a follow-up ultrasound may be recommended. Other reasons for extra scans include concerns about baby’s growth, placenta function, or specific medical conditions.
You are welcome to bring up to two support people to your morphology scan at QUFW, and one of them may be a child. Having a partner, family member, or close friend with you can make the experience more special and provide emotional support.
However, since this is a medical procedure, it’s important that the sonographer can concentrate on capturing accurate images and measurements.
Also, if bringing a child, the second support person should be an adult who can supervise them, as ultrasounds can take time and may not always hold a child’s attention.
If your partner or family member can’t attend, you may consider video calling them briefly during the scan (please ask us beforehand) or sharing images afterward. If you are a surrogate patient, QUFW is happy to discuss your specific needs when booking your appointment.
What If My Baby Is Not in a Good Position for the Scan?
If your baby is not in an ideal position during the morphology scan, the sonographer will try different techniques to improve visibility. They may ask you to change positions, such as rolling onto your side, or they might gently press on your abdomen to encourage movement. Sometimes, a short break, walking around, or drinking cold water can help stimulate the baby to move into a better position.
If the sonographer still can’t get clear images, they may ask you to return for a repeat scan on another day. This is common and doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong—just that the baby wasn’t positioned well enough for a full assessment. Your healthcare provider will let you know if a follow-up scan is needed and what to expect.
A morphology scan is a detailed ultrasound performed between 20 and 22 weeks of pregnancy to assess your baby’s development. It checks major organs, the spine, limbs, and facial features, as well as the placenta, amniotic fluid,umbilical cord, and cervix. Many parents wonder what to expect during the scan, how long it takes, and how to prepare.
In this fact sheet, we’ll walk you through the entire process, including how the scan is performed, what the sonographer looks for, and what happens if your baby is in a tricky position. Understanding these details can help you feel more prepared and confident for your appointment.
When you arrive for your morphology scan, you’ll check in at the clinic and may be asked to fill out some paperwork. A QUFW sonographer, who is specifically trained in pregnancy ultrasounds, will call you into the scan room and explain the procedure.
You’ll be asked to lie on an examination bed, and the sonographer will apply a warm ultrasound gel to your abdomen. This gel helps the ultrasound probe (transducer) glide smoothly over your skin and allows the ultrasound image to be created. The sonographer will then move the probe across your belly in different directions, capturing detailed images of your baby from multiple angles. They may need to apply gentle pressure to get a clearer view, particularly when examining specific organs or structures. If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to discuss this with your sonographer during your scan.
For more information about this process, read here.
What The Sonographer Looks For
During the morphology scan, the sonographer conducts a detailed examination of your baby’s development, carefully assessing key structures to ensure everything is forming as expected.
The scan focuses on major organs, including the brain, heart, kidneys, stomach, bladder, and liver. The sonographer checks for proper size, shape, and function, ensuring these vital organs are developing normally. The spine and limbs are also closely examined, with measurements taken to assess growth and symmetry. The face and skull are reviewed to check for any structural concerns, such as cleft lip or abnormalities in skull formation.
Beyond the baby, the scan also assesses your cervix, placenta, amniotic fluid levels, and umbilical cord. The placenta’s position is checked to rule out placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the cervix. Amniotic fluid levels are measured to ensure they are within a healthy range, as too much or too little fluid can indicate complications. The umbilical cord is examined for its structure and blood flow, as this is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the baby.
Throughout the scan, the sonographer looks for markers of potential abnormalities. These are subtle indicators that might suggest certain conditions, such as chromosomal differences or structural concerns.
If any findings need further evaluation, your healthcare provider may recommend a follow-up scan or additional testing to gather more information. However, in most cases, the scan provides reassurance that your baby is growing and developing as expected.
Whether A Full Bladder Is Needed And How To Prepare
For most morphology scans, a moderately full bladder is required. A moderately full bladder can help lift the uterus and improve visibility, especially in earlier weeks.
To prepare, it’s best to wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. Some parents find that having a light meal or a cold drink before the scan may encourage the baby to move, which can help with imaging. If you’re unsure about any preparation requirements, check with us ahead of time.
How Long It Takes and What Results You Can Expect
A morphology scan typically takes 45 minutes, but this can vary depending on several factors. If the baby is in a good position, allowing the sonographer to capture all the necessary images easily, the scan may be completed more quickly. However, if the baby is facing away, curled up, or in a position that makes it difficult to assess certain structures, the scan may take longer or require a break to encourage movement.
If the baby’s position prevents a clear view of important areas, the sonographer may ask you to roll onto your side, adjust the tilt of the bed, stand up, or take a short walk to encourage movement. If the baby remains in a difficult position and the sonographer is unable to complete all necessary checks, you may need to return for a repeat scan on another day. This is common and doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong—it just ensures a thorough and accurate assessment.
In most cases, the sonographer will not provide detailed results immediately. Instead, they will complete the scan, document their findings, and discuss the information with a reporting QUFW doctor. If there are any concerns or unclear findings, the QUFW doctor may recommend further scans or tests for more information. If everything looks normal, no further action is needed, and the scan simply provides reassurance that your baby is developing well.
Throughout pregnancy, ultrasound scans provide important insights into your baby’s development. While the morphology scan is one of the most detailed and essential, it’s just one of several scans that may be performed. Understanding how it differs from other common scans—such as the dating scan and growth scans—can help you know what to expect and why each scan is important.
Each type of scan serves a specific purpose, from confirming your baby’s due date to assessing their growth and development. Below, we compare these scans to help you understand their differences and why your doctor may recommend one at different stages of pregnancy.
This table provides a simple breakdown of each scan, helping you understand what to expect and why your healthcare provider may recommend specific scans at different times during pregnancy.
Scan type
When it’s done
Purpose
What it checks for
Why you might need it
Dating scan
Preferably around 7–12 weeks
Confirms how far along you are and estimates your due date
Measures baby’s size, checks for multiple pregnancies, and confirms heartbeat
If you’re unsure of your last period, have irregular cycles, or need to confirm viability
Morphology scan
Around 20-22 weeks
Detailed assessment of baby’s anatomy and development
Checks major organs, limbs, spine, brain, and placenta location; and cervix
Routine scan to assess fetal health and detect potential abnormalities
Growth scan
Usually after 24 weeks (only if needed)
Monitors baby’s growth and well-being in later pregnancy
Measures baby’s size, checks amniotic fluid levels, and assesses placenta function; also checks cervix
If there are concerns about baby’s growth, amniotic fluid levels, or placenta health
How Does a Morphology Scan Differ from a Dating Scan?
A dating scan is an early ultrasound, is best performed between 6 and 12 weeks, to estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy and provide an estimated due date. It measures the size of the baby (crown-rump length) and confirms viability, checking for a heartbeat and whether you are carrying one baby or multiples.
In contrast, a morphology scan, done between 20 and 22 weeks, is much more detailed. Rather than focusing on gestational age, it examines your baby’s anatomy, including major organs, the spine, limbs, and facial features. It also checks the cervix, placenta, amniotic fluid, and umbilical cord to assess overall pregnancy health. While the dating scan is useful for establishing timelines, the morphology scan plays an important role in monitoring your baby’s development and detecting potential abnormalities.
How Does a Morphology Scan Differ from a Growth Scan?
A growth scan is usually recommended later in pregnancy, often after 24 weeks, to monitor your baby’s size, weight, and overall well-being. It is not a routine scan but may be suggested if there are concerns about fetal growth, amniotic fluid levels, or placental function. This scan measures the baby’s head, abdomen, and limb length, checks how well the placenta is working, and assesses blood flow through the umbilical cord.
In contrast, a morphology scan, performed between 20 and 22 weeks, focuses on structural development rather than growth trends. It provides a detailed assessment of the baby’s organs, spine, limbs, and face, helping to identify potential abnormalities. While the morphology scan looks at how the baby is forming, a growth scan checks how well the baby is growing and whether any concerns have developed later in pregnancy.
Why Is the Morphology Scan Important?
A morphology scan is one of the most important ultrasounds during pregnancy because it provides a detailed look at your baby’s development at a critical stage. It helps detect structural abnormalities in major organs, the spine, limbs, and facial features, allowing doctors to identify potential concerns early.
This scan also assesses fetal growth, placental health, and amniotic fluid levels, ensuring that everything is developing as expected. Since it takes place between 20and 22 weeks, it gives healthcare providers time to arrange further testing or monitoring if needed.
Because of its role in assessing both baby and pregnancy health, the morphology scan is a routine part of prenatal care. While most scans provide reassurance that everything is progressing normally, they also help guide decisions about any additional care that may be needed during pregnancy.
When Might Additional Scans Be Needed?
Additional scans may be required if the morphology scan is inconclusive or if further assessment is required. Sometimes, unclear images occur due to the baby’s position, maternal habitus, or amniotic fluid levels, making it difficult for the sonographer to complete all necessary checks. In these cases, a follow-up scan may be scheduled to get clearer images.
If the morphology scan identifies potential abnormalities or concerns, further ultrasounds or specialist scans may be recommended. For example, a fetal echocardiogram may be needed to examine the baby’s heart in more detail, or growth scans may be scheduled later in pregnancy to monitor fetal size and placental function.
These additional scans help your healthcare providers track development, assess any risks, and make informed decisions about pregnancy management. In most cases, follow-up scans provide reassurance, but if concerns remain, your doctor will guide you on the next steps, including any further testing or monitoring needed.
A morphology scan, also known as the 20-week scan, is a detailed ultrasound that checks your baby’s development and growth. It’s usually performed between 20 and 22 weeks of pregnancy and is a routine part of prenatal care.
A morphology scan is an ultrasound that usually takes place between 20 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. It’s a routine scan that provides important information about your baby’s growth and development.
During the scan, the sonographer will carefully examine your baby’s major organs, including the heart, brain, kidneys, stomach, and spine. They will also check the baby’s limbs, facial features, and movements. In addition to assessing the baby, the scan looks at the placenta, amniotic fluid levels,umbilical cord, and cervix to ensure everything is functioning as expected.
The scan usually takes around 45 minutes. However, if the baby is in a difficult position, the sonographer may need extra time to get clear images. In some cases, you may be asked to take a short walk or return later for a repeat scan if the baby’s position makes it hard to complete all the necessary checks.
Do I Need to Prepare for a Morphology Scan?
For most morphology scans, there is little preparation required. In general, you may be asked to wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. You may be asked to arrive with a moderately full bladder, as this can help improve the clarity of the ultrasound images, especially in earlier weeks of pregnancy.
The QUFW administration team will provide you with specific information about how to prepare for your morphology scan at QUFW at the time of your booking.
What to Do Before Your Appointment
Before your morphology scan, there are a few simple steps you can take to make the experience as smooth as possible.
Hydration: We may ask you to have a moderately full bladder, as this can help improve image quality. However, this is not always necessary, especially later in pregnancy. Please ask us if you are unsure.
Clothing: Wear loose, comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your abdomen. A two-piece outfit (such as a top and pants or skirt) can make things easier, as you’ll only need to lift your shirt rather than remove clothing. We do provide modesty sheets and gowns if required during the examination.
Eating: There’s no need to fast before your scan. In fact, having a light meal or snack beforehand is recommended.
Bringing Support: You are allowed to bring a partner or a support person to attend the scan with you. You are allowed to bring children with you, but we recommend a support person to accompany them in case they require attention during the examination.
Timing: We respectfully request that you plan to arrive15 minutes prior to your appointment and allow at least 45 minutes to an hour for the scan. While most morphology scans take about 45 minutes, extra time may be needed if the baby is in a difficult position or if additional images are required.
What to Expect During the Scan
When you arrive for your morphology scan, you’ll be guided into the ultrasound room, where the sonographer will explain the process before starting.
You’ll be asked to lie on an examination bed, and the sonographer will apply warm ultrasound gel to your abdomen. This gel helps the ultrasound probe glide smoothly over your skin and ensures clear images. The scan itself is painless, though you may feel some mild pressure as the sonographer moves the probe around to get the best views of your baby. If you do feel any discomfort, please bring this to the attention of your sonographer.
The sonographer will carefully examine your baby’s development, checking the brain, heart, kidneys, stomach, spine, limbs, and face. They will also assess the placenta, amniotic fluid levels,umbilical cord, and cervix to ensure everything is functioning as expected.
If your baby is not in an ideal position to visualise certain structures, the sonographer may ask you to change positions, such as rolling onto your side. In some cases, they may ask you to stand up, take a short walk, or gently jiggle your belly to encourage movement. If the baby remains in a difficult position, you may be asked to return for a follow-up scan.
Morphology assessment of the fetal brain
After the Scan: Next Steps
Once your morphology scan is complete, the sonographer will review the images to ensure all the necessary checks have been done. They will not provide a detailed report on the spot but will give the results to a reporting QUFW specialist doctor.
If any concerns are identified, your QUFW doctor may recommend additional scans or tests for further assessment.
Final Tips
To make your morphology scan a smooth and positive experience, try to stay as relaxed as possible. It’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but remember that the scan is a routine part of pregnancy care. Taking deep breaths and staying comfortable can help, especially if the sonographer needs to press a little to get clear images.
Allow plenty of time for your appointment. While the scan itself usually takes around 45 minutes, extra time may be needed if your baby is in a difficult position or if additional images are required. Arriving on time and not scheduling anything too soon afterward can help reduce stress in case we are not running to schedule on the day.
Most importantly, please don’t hesitate to ask questions. The sonographer may not be able to give full results, but they can explain what they’re looking at and what to expect next. If you have any concerns, please speak to your doctor.
Video Transcript
This is an overview of the morphology scan and what to expect. The morphology scan is also sometimes called the second trimester anatomy scan. The aim of this ultrasound is to assess the structure and development of your baby where your placenta is positioned, the growth of baby, as well as the amount of amniotic fluids surrounding your baby. This scan is exceptionally important for both you and your doctors to be reassured that both the structure and size of your baby are appropriate for the gestation. It also provides information about the position of your placenta, which is important for delivery planning. For some women, this is the last ultrasound that they have for the duration of their pregnancy. Although there are myriad reasons why you or your Dr. May need or want to follow up ultrasound and here at QUFW, we are able to perform an ultrasound at any gestation for you and your baby.
The morphology scan is typically booked between 18 and 22 weeks gestation. This gestational window is in keeping with national and international guidelines and is a time point where baby is developed enough and large enough for us to assess complex structures like the heart, but baby isn’t so big that it becomes difficult to see things like fingers and toes. The morphology scan includes an extremely detailed assessment that includes baby’s heart, kidneys, brain, face, stomach, chest, spine, abdomen, arms, legs, hands and feet. All this can generally be completed within 30 to 60 minutes depending on various things, including how cooperative baby is on the day. In order to perform your scan, we will need a referral from your doctor and it can be helpful to bring scans that you have had elsewhere in relation to your pregnancy. Different clinics may ask you to prepare in different ways, so please follow the instructions provided here at QFW, we ask that you empty your bladder one hour prior to your ultrasound and then drink two glasses of water and hold your bladder until the time of your scan.
If this is possible for you, we recommend you wear whatever feels comfortable for you while also providing access to your stomach so that we can perform the scan. We also recommend that you eat as you normally would prior to the scan, as it doesn’t impact on our ability to get the information that we need. Your ultrasound is an exciting experience for you and we understand that it is important to share with your family and friends and to have them there as support as it is still a medical procedure. It is imperative that our sonographers and doctors are able to concentrate during the scan whilst taking the necessary images and measurements. Occasionally, our sonographers and doctors may need to discuss unfortunate news found during your appointment, and so this must also be taken into consideration. At QUFW, we allow two support people to attend your appointment. One of these support people may be a child. Sometimes pregnancy ultrasounds can be a long time for your little one to sit still, so we request that the other support person is a supervising adult who may be able to attend to your child during the scan if necessary. We also suggest you leave plenty of time for travel to the practice, finding a park, and making your way comfortably to our site. The morphology scan is an important milestone in your pregnancy journey and we don’t want you to feel rushed or stressed. On arrival.
When you arrive at our practice, you will be welcomed by our lovely receptionists and asked to be seated in our waiting room where you will be collected by your sonographer. In our ultrasound rooms, you will have your own large viewing screen and the sonographer will use a separate screen on their ultrasound machine. The lighting is muted in our scan rooms so that the details on the screens can be clearly seen. The scan will be performed using ultrasound gel on your abdomen to aid with transducer movement and to maintain skin contact to provide optimal imaging results. Here at QUFW, our ultrasound gel is always warmed to a pleasant temperature for the comfort of our clients. You will notice that as we assess your baby, we take images and videos to document what we’re seeing. We also take lots of measurements of baby’s head, abdomen, arms, and legs, and these are taken so that we can calculate an estimated fetal weight and correlate this with your gestational age.
This is different to earlier scans where we are able to measure baby in its entirety because now that we are in the second trimester, baby is too big for us to measure from head to bottom. We cannot predict the size of your baby at delivery from this scan, but we can assess if your baby’s size is appropriate for your gestation. Usually, we are able to get the images we need by scanning across your stomach. However, occasionally we may need to do an internal or transvaginal scan. If this is the case, your sonographer will discuss this with you on the day the ultrasound should not be painful. You may feel some pressure related to the movement of the transducer across your abdomen, and if you do experience discomfort, please let your sonographer know immediately and we can troubleshoot the issue together. On occasion. Imaging can be restricted by fetal position or various technical factors that make it difficult to obtain the necessary images and your sonographer may ask you to change your position on the bed, for example, to roll onto your side or even go for a walk or empty your bladder in an attempt to alter baby’s position.
If we are unable to obtain adequate images, we may need to rebook you for another day to follow up. If a problem is detected on your ultrasound, it will be discussed with you at the time of your appointment in this situation. Further examination may occur by one of our doctors who are maternal fetal medicine and obstetric and gynecology ultrasound specialists. We will be with you every step of the way and communicate all the information with you on the day.
Please let your sonographer know at the beginning of the scan if you would like to discover the sex of your baby. We always assess the external genitalia of your baby and this can be correlated with your NIPT results if they are available. Conversely, if you do not wish to know the sex of baby, then we are happy to keep it a secret. At QUFW, we utilize the TRIC I app to send images to your mobile device directly from our ultrasound system so you receive them immediately on your phone. From this point, you are able to send them to loved ones or print them as you wish. The sify app does not allow for the transfer of audio. However, if you would like to record the sound of your baby’s heartbeat, ask your sonographer and they will be more than happy to facilitate this. However, we do not allow the recording of your examination in its entirety for medicolegal reasons, and this is part of our QUFW policy.
Once your scan is complete, one of our specialist doctors will review your images if there was a suspicious finding that warranted further testing. This is discussed with you immediately at the time of your appointment. You will receive a copy of your report by the Tri Sify app and so will your doctor at QUFW. We know that the morphology scan is an important milestone in your pregnancy journey. We also know that there can be same anxiety surrounding this milestone. We want you to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible so you can enjoy bonding with your little bundle of joy. Please feel free to share your feelings or any questions you may have with your sonographer and we will do our utmost to make this experience a wonderful one for both you and your loved ones.
A dating scan is an early ultrasound, is best performed between 6 and 12 weeks, to estimate how far along you are in your pregnancy and provide an estimated due date. It measures the size of the baby (crown-rump length) and confirms viability, checking for a heartbeat and whether you are carrying one baby or multiples.
