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 fact sheet includes:
- A comparison table: pregnancy scans explained
- How does a morphology scan differ from a dating scan?
- How does a morphology scan differ from a growth scan?
- Why is the morphology scan important?
- When might additional scans be needed?
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Comparison Table: Pregnancy Scans Explained
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.
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