The Fetal Ultrasound and Medicine Clinic

FAQ about ultrasounds and fetal medicine at Erasme

• 1. I have just found out that I am pregnant. Do I need to make an appointment for an ultrasound scan?

  If you wish to receive pregnancy care at H.U.B Erasme, the first step is to make an appointment at the antenatal clinic for an initial consultation (025553508 or online). The midwife or doctor you see will then prescribe all the necessary examinations, including ultrasounds.

  If you are being followed by a private gynaecologist or midwife, or at another institution, they will tell you when you should have your first ultrasound, and you can make an appointment by calling our secretariat (025553636).

• 2. Why has my midwife or gynaecologist scheduled an appointment for me for a dating ultrasound?

  The first ultrasound consultation at H.U.B Erasme is generally scheduled at around 8–10 weeks of pregnancy. It consists of an ultrasound examination to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing normally and to measure the embryo in order to determine its exact gestational age, followed by a consultation with a midwife from the Ultrasound Clinic. The midwife will provide you with all the information about ultrasound monitoring during your pregnancy and the NIPT (non-invasive screening for Trisomy 21), and will ask you questions about your personal and family medical history in order to establish a personalised ultrasound monitoring plan with you.

• 3. My midwife or doctor has prescribed an ultrasound scan to monitor my pregnancy. What will happen?

  All your answers can be found in the patient information sheet on ultrasound scans, available in the Resources section.

• 4. Why are pregnancy screening ultrasounds not performed during prenatal consultations?

  A pregnancy ultrasound is a specialised examination designed to ensure that your baby is healthy. It includes measurements to assess your baby’s growth, a detailed examination of the organs to check for any abnormalities, and an assessment of your baby’s overall well-being. To be complete and of good quality, this examination requires dedicated time and an experienced operator. At H.U.B Erasme, all ultrasounds are performed by gynaecologists specifically trained in ultrasound.

• 5. My gynaecologist or midwife outside the hospital has referred me to the H.U.B Fetal Medicine Clinic for a check-up or a second opinion: what should I expect?

  To ensure that we can provide you with the best possible care, please remember to bring your doctor’s prescription, containing important information about your pregnancy. Any other documents relevant to the assessment of the situation (blood tests, other examinations) would also be useful. During the appointment, the doctor will review the previous examinations, perform a detailed ultrasound scan, and explain the conclusions to you. They will tell you whether additional examinations are advisable (blood tests, fetal sampling). They will contact your doctor or midwife to inform them of their follow-up recommendations. If necessary, they may put you in contact with other specialists. If a difficult situation is identified, you will be supported at every stage by our coordinating midwives.

• 6. Can I request a second opinion on my own initiative?

  If you have not been referred by your doctor or midwife but would like a second opinion about a situation that concerns you, our team will see you without the need for a prescription.

• 7. My doctor/midwife has recommended that I undergo an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. What does this involve?

  Amniocentesis (or amniotic fluid aspiration) is a test involving the collection of amniotic fluid for various types of analyses. It is performed only when specifically medically indicated, from 16 weeks of amenorrhoea onwards. No prior preparation is required; you do not need to fast.
  
  The procedure, which is only slightly painful, is performed as an outpatient procedure and involves inserting a very fine needle into the amniotic sac under ultrasound guidance (the procedure takes approximately 1 minute). You may return home immediately afterwards; however, rest is recommended for 24 to 48 hours.
  
  Chorionic villus sampling (or CVS) is a similar test that can be performed between 10 and 14 weeks of amenorrhoea and involves collecting a placental sample for analysis. The sample is taken either vaginally or abdominally. The recommendations are the same as for amniocentesis, but the test must be performed with a full bladder (you should therefore drink at least 500 ml of water before your appointment).