Around the halfway point of pregnancy, many parents reach a moment filled with equal parts excitement and nerves: the 20‑week anatomy scan.
For many families, this appointment feels different from earlier ultrasounds. It’s longer, more detailed, and often comes with a quiet internal question:
“What happens after this?”
This guide walks you through exactly what to expect during your anatomy scan, why it matters medically, and what many parents choose to do next to continue bonding with their baby.
What Is the 20‑Week Anatomy Scan?
The anatomy scan is a detailed medical ultrasound performed around 18–22 weeks of pregnancy to assess your baby’s growth, anatomy, and overall development.
Unlike earlier scans, this ultrasound focuses on structure — not keepsakes. It allows healthcare providers to check how your baby’s organs, bones, and systems are forming.
In Canada, this scan is considered a standard part of prenatal care and is usually covered by provincial healthcare.
Why the Anatomy Scan Is So Important
The anatomy scan gives your care provider a comprehensive look at your baby’s development.
During the appointment, the sonographer will carefully examine:
- Brain and skull structure
- Spine and spinal cord
- Heart chambers and blood flow
- Kidneys and bladder
- Stomach and abdominal wall
- Arms, legs, hands, and feet
- Placenta location
- Amniotic fluid levels
This scan helps confirm that everything is developing as expected and identifies any findings that may require follow‑up.
What Happens During the Appointment?
The anatomy scan typically lasts 30–60 minutes, depending on your baby’s position and how easily each area can be visualized.
Here’s what most parents can expect:
- You’ll lie on an exam bed while gel is applied to your abdomen
- The sonographer will take many measurements and images
- You may be asked to change positions or take short breaks
- Some parts of the scan are done quietly while measurements are taken
It’s completely normal if the room feels calm and focused — this is a medical exam, not a viewing session.
Can You Learn the Baby’s Sex at the Anatomy Scan?
In some cases, yes — if your baby’s position allows.
However, identifying the baby’s sex is not the primary purpose of the anatomy scan, and it isn’t guaranteed. This appointment is medically focused and time-sensitive, which means communication is often limited, and the experience itself is not designed to be celebratory.
For families who want certainty, earlier timing, or a more meaningful and shared experience, there are other options created specifically for those moments.
Medical Ultrasound vs. Elective Ultrasound: What’s the Difference?
Understanding the difference helps parents choose the right experience at the right time.
Medical Ultrasounds (like the anatomy scan):
- Performed for diagnostic and health assessment purposes
- Uses 2D and creates black and white images
- Focused on measurements and anatomy
- Limited viewing time and communication
- Not designed for keepsakes or bonding
Elective Ultrasounds (like 3D/5D):
- Non-diagnostic and focused on connection
- Uses advanced software that converts images into « life-like » versions by adding colour and depth.
- Extended viewing in a relaxed environment
- Designed for family participation
- Includes keepsake photos and videos
Both play an important role — they simply serve very different purposes.
What You Might Feel Emotionally
Many parents are surprised by how emotional this appointment can feel.
It’s common to experience:
- Relief when measurements look reassuring
- Nervousness during quiet moments
- A stronger sense that this is really happening
All of these feelings are normal.
What Happens After the Anatomy Scan?
For most pregnancies, results are reviewed by your healthcare provider within a few days. If anything requires clarification, additional imaging or referrals may be recommended.
But for many parents, once the medical portion is complete, a new question naturally follows:
“When do we get to just enjoy seeing our baby?”
Why Some Parents Choose a 3D/5D Ultrasound After
Medical ultrasounds focus on health and diagnosis. They’re not designed for bonding, extended viewing, or keepsake images.
That’s why many families choose to book a 3D/5D ultrasound experience later in pregnancy — often between 25 and 32 weeks.
A 3D/5D ultrasound allows parents to:
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See facial features more clearly
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Watch real‑time movements
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Invite partners, siblings, or grandparents
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Create keepsake photos and videos
It’s a very different experience — emotional, relaxed, and centred on connection.
Learn more: Why Every Pregnancy Deserves to Be Celebrated — Not Just Documented
When Is the Best Time to Book a 3D/5D Ultrasound?
The optimal time for a 3D ultrasound is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. During the early weeks, whole-body images are clearer, but facial details are limited. The best window for capturing facial 3D images is between 25 and 32 weeks. After 32 weeks, limited space in the womb can cause babies’ faces to be pressed against other structures, and their movements tend to decrease. As a result, 3D face images taken later might appear blurry.
This timing often (but not always) follows the anatomy scan, making it a natural next step for families who want to continue the pregnancy journey with a more memorable experience.
Learn more: How Far Along Should I Be for a 3D/5D Ultrasound?
How UC Baby Complements Your Medical Care
At UC Baby®, our 3D/5D ultrasound experiences are designed to complement — not replace — your medical ultrasounds.
After your anatomy scan confirms your baby’s health and development, UC Baby offers:
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Relaxed, non‑diagnostic ultrasound sessions for whole family
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Enhances Pregnancy Enjoyment
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Confirmation of gender of the baby
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Satisfying ultrasound service without rush
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Strengthens Emotional Bonding
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Keepsake photos and videos
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Options for live streaming and sharing with loved ones
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Contribution to mom’s self care
Many parents tell us this is the moment their pregnancy feels truly real.
Learn more: What Makes UC Baby Different from a Medical Ultrasound?
Where Each Ultrasound Fits in Your Pregnancy Journey
Rather than thinking of ultrasounds as a menu of options, it helps to see them as a progression — each one answering a different question at a different stage of pregnancy.
On mobile: Swipe right to view the full comparison
Thinking of ultrasounds this way helps families choose experiences that feel meaningful — not rushed.
Learn more: UC Baby Pregnancy Ultrasound Packages and Services
One Last Thought
The anatomy scan is an important milestone — a moment focused on reassurance and care.
Once it’s complete, many families feel ready for the next chapter: seeing their baby simply as their baby.
Whether that’s through a 3D/5D ultrasound, sharing the experience with loved ones, or creating keepsakes you’ll treasure forever, it’s okay to slow down and enjoy what comes next.
Your journey is unfolding — one meaningful moment at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the 20-week anatomy scan?
The 20-week anatomy scan is a detailed medical ultrasound, usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, that checks your baby’s growth, organs, and overall development.
This scan focuses on medical assessment, allowing healthcare providers to evaluate how your baby is developing and identify anything that may need follow-up. It’s a standard part of prenatal care in Canada and is different from bonding or keepsake ultrasounds. -
How long does the anatomy scan take?
A 20-week anatomy scan typically lasts 30 to 60 minutes, depending on your baby’s position and how easily each area can be seen.
Some appointments may take a little longer if your baby is moving a lot or facing away from the ultrasound probe. This is common and usually just means the sonographer is being thorough. -
What does the anatomy scan check?
The anatomy scan checks your baby’s major organs, bones, and body systems to ensure they are developing as expected.
During the scan, the sonographer looks at areas such as the brain, spine, heart, stomach, kidneys, limbs, placenta, and amniotic fluid levels. Much of the appointment is quiet and focused, as measurements and images are carefully captured for medical review. -
Can the anatomy scan tell my baby’s sex?
In some cases, yes — if your baby’s position allows — but sex determination is not guaranteed and is not the primary purpose of the anatomy scan.
Because the appointment is medically focused and time-limited, identifying the baby’s sex may not always be possible. Families who want certainty, earlier results, or a more celebratory experience often choose options specifically designed for that purpose. -
Is the anatomy scan painful?
No — the anatomy scan is not painful, though you may feel mild pressure as the ultrasound probe moves across your abdomen.
If you feel uncomfortable at any point, you can let the sonographer know. The goal is to keep you as relaxed and comfortable as possible during the exam.
Still Have Questions About Your Anatomy Scan?
It’s completely normal to think of more questions after your appointment — especially once you’re home and have time to process everything.
We’ve created a dedicated FAQ guide answering the most common anatomy scan questions Canadian parents ask, from preparation and results to what happens if a follow-up is needed.
Read our full 20-Week Anatomy Scan FAQ Guide
Invitez familles et amis à assister à cet événement mémorable de votre grossesse. Célébrez avec vos proches où qu’ils soient dans le monde ce moment spécial de lien avec l’enfant.
Rien n’est plus beau que les battements de cœur de votre bébé. Enregistrez ce son pour toujours dans un Ourson Coup de cœur de UC Baby®. Il ne s’agit pas simplement d’un beau souvenir, mais aussi d’un moyen efficace qui apaise votre bébé pour l’aider à s’endormir.
