Scans in Amsterdam

Our midwifery practice is located in Amsterdam-Noord, in the Vogelbuurt. We also have a branch on Zeeburgereiland where we carry out scans as well. Several of the midwives at Pregnanta are trained sonographers and carry out the medical scans at the practice. This means you see familiar faces throughout your pregnancy.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the baby or babies. This way the baby, including the organs, can be seen. An ultrasound scan can be done in two ways: externally via the abdomen or internally via the vagina.

There are many different scans for you and your baby. We are happy to use this information to make things clear. On this page you can read more about:

Would you like to make an appointment for a scan in Amsterdam? Contact us on 020-775 99 27. You can reach us by phone on weekdays between 08:30 and 16:00. You can also email us at verloskundigen@pregnanta.nl. We will then contact you as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.

EARLY SCAN AND FIRST SCAN

In some situations we like to do an (first) early scan at around 6-7 weeks of pregnancy. We do this scan if it is unclear how far along you are, or if you have a lot of abdominal pain or bleeding, for example. This allows us to tell you more about how many weeks pregnant you are and whether you are expecting one or more babies. From six weeks we can see the heart beating, and that is a beautiful moment every time. When there is a medical indication, this scan is always covered by your health insurer. Contact us if you are unsure what you are entitled to: 0652047610. You can also always request an early scan as a souvenir scan (if there is no medical indication); the cost is then 45 euros.

SOUVENIR SCAN

Throughout your pregnancy you can have a souvenir scan at your own expense; at Pregnanta the cost is 50 euros per scan.
From 15 weeks of pregnancy we can determine the sex of your baby. It is a good idea to come with a full bladder: this often encourages the baby to lie in a position that makes the sex easier to see, and we get the most beautiful pictures of your little one.
Many clients like to see their baby once more between 20 and 40 weeks of pregnancy; ask about the options at Pregnanta.

DATING SCAN

If you have not had an early scan, for example because there was no medical reason for one, your first scan between 9 and 12 weeks of pregnancy is the dating scan. During this scan we set your final due date by measuring the length of the embryo(s) and checking the heartbeat. It is important that the dating scan takes place before your pregnancy passes 14 weeks. After 14 weeks all babies grow at their own pace, which makes it harder to determine exactly how old your baby is. We also take a good look at the womb and ovaries.

The dating scan is initially an external scan. When we do the scan via your abdomen (externally), it helps to come with a full bladder, because your bladder helps bring your baby into a lying position. If we can’t see your baby clearly enough, we do a vaginal scan.
The scan is always covered by your health insurer.

13-WEEK SCAN and 20-WEEK SCAN

Both scans are medical examinations to look for physical abnormalities in your baby. At the intake we ask whether you would like more information about the 13- and 20-week scans and whether you want this screening. We will give you more information in an extensive conversation, so that you can make a well-considered choice. For the latest leaflet, see https://www.pns.nl/13-wekenecho/folders (in Dutch).

The 13-week and 20-week scans have the same purpose. They don’t replace each other, but complement each other. Although your baby is smaller and less developed at around 13 weeks than at around 20 weeks, some (serious) abnormalities can already be seen. Compared with the 20-week scan, you have more time to decide what you want to do with the result. At the 20-week scan, many structures (such as the heart) are more developed, so the sonographer can examine the baby in more detail.

You can have the 13-week scan from 12+3 to 14+3 weeks of pregnancy, and it is funded by the Dutch government. You can only choose the 13-week scan if you take part in the IMITAS scientific study.

The 20-week scan can be carried out between week 18+0 and week 21+0 of pregnancy, preferably between week 19+0 and 20+0, and is also covered.

Only specially trained sonographers may carry out these scans. We will help you find the right care provider nearby and explain how to make an appointment. You can also search yourself at www.peridos.nl/zoek-zorgverlener. We work closely with Echo Noord, VCO Echopunt in Oost and Echo Amsterdam in the centre of Amsterdam.

GROWTH SCAN

Between the 22^nd and 40^th week of your pregnancy, we carry out a growth scan if there is a medical reason for it; it is then always covered by your health insurer. Among other things, we look at your baby’s leg length, abdominal circumference and head, so that we can map the growth curve properly and explain our findings in detail. Sometimes it is important to do several growth scans; we will tell you about this during the appointment. We also look at the amount of amniotic fluid and the placenta.

PRESENTATION SCAN

At 36 weeks of pregnancy we do a presentation scan if we suspect your baby is in a breech or transverse position. We check whether there is a cause for the breech position, how much amniotic fluid you have and where your placenta is. Is your baby indeed in a breech position? Then we will try to turn your baby in the womb so that the head is facing down. You can come to us for a presentation scan with a referral from your gynaecologist or midwife.

INSURANCE COVER FOR SCANS

Basic Dutch health insurance covers all the care you need as a mother before, during and after your pregnancy. The same applies to your baby. This includes the costs of midwives, GP appointments and examinations by the gynaecologist. The standard scans, such as the dating scan at 12 weeks of pregnancy and the anomaly scan at 20 weeks of pregnancy, are covered by insurance. A souvenir scan at Pregnanta costs 50 euros.