Important Principles Before Your Scan
One thing first. Your doctor decides which of these you need and when. Use this guide to understand your prescription, not to replace it.
A few things apply to every pregnancy scan, so we’ll say them once:
- Prescription & ID: Bring your doctor’s prescription and the identification documents requested by the centre.
- Mandatory Form F: Before the scan, the required Form F documentation must be completed in accordance with applicable PCPNDT requirements and our centre’s process.
- Comfortable Attire: Wear loose, two-piece clothes so your belly is easy to reach.
- Female Clinician Option: If you would prefer a female clinician or attendant, please tell us when booking. We will confirm availability at your chosen centre.
Your Pregnancy Scans, One by One
Summary timeline for obstetric ultrasound scans during pregnancy.
| Scan | Book it for | Quick prep |
|---|---|---|
|
Dating scan First Trimester |
6 to 9 weeks | Follow centre instructions; bladder preparation depends on the scan approach |
|
NT/NB scan First Trimester Screening |
11 weeks 0 days to 13 weeks 6 days (with appropriate CRL) | No fasting usually; double-marker blood test only if prescribed as part of screening |
|
Level 2 anomaly (TIFFA) scan Mid-Pregnancy Detailed |
18 to 22 weeks | No fasting; keep 30–45 minutes free; a repeat view may be needed if views are incomplete |
|
Growth scan and colour Doppler Third Trimester / Indicated |
As advised by your doctor; often in the third trimester when indicated | Usually no fasting; follow centre instructions |
Note: Weeks are counted from the first day of your last period.
Interactive Pregnancy Scan Navigator
Select your current stage of pregnancy or the test prescribed by your doctor to see optimal timing, preparation guidelines, and report expectations:
Dating Scan (6 to 9 Weeks)
Early Pregnancy ConfirmationBook as soon as your doctor asks for it, usually in the first two months. Checks whether the pregnancy is in the womb, the heartbeat, how many babies there are, and the crown-rump length (CRL) to establish your due date.
Dating scan (6 to 9 weeks)
First trimester viability and gestational age confirmation
📅 When to book:
as soon as your doctor asks for it, usually in the first two months.
📋 How to prepare:
bladder preparation depends on the type of scan and your centre’s instructions, so please confirm when booking. Sometimes a clearer picture requires an internal (transvaginal) scan. This is generally considered safe in pregnancy. The clinician will explain why it is recommended and obtain your consent before proceeding.
🔍 What the report shows:
whether the pregnancy is in the womb, the heartbeat, how many babies there are, and the crown-rump length (CRL). CRL is the baby’s length from head to bottom, and it’s used to work out your due date.
🌿 Reading it calmly:
- The scan due date may differ by a few days from your period date. That’s common. If the gap is large, your doctor may go by the scan.
- Very early on, the heartbeat may not show yet. A repeat scan after a week or two is a routine next step, not bad news in itself.
NT/NB scan (11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days)
First trimester chromosomal screening window (CRL 45–84 mm)
📅 When to book:
call us a week or two ahead so you can get a slot within the recommended window. The standard NT measurement is generally performed between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks 6 days, when the baby’s crown–rump length (CRL) is usually 45–84 mm. After this window, the standard NT measurement is no longer applicable.
📋 How to prepare:
no fasting is usually needed for the scan. Your obstetrician may recommend a double-marker blood test as part of combined first-trimester screening. The blood test and scan may be performed on the same day or close together, according to the prescribed screening protocol.
🔍 What the report shows:
the nuchal translucency (NT) measurement—the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby’s neck—and whether the nasal bone (NB) is visible. If combined first-trimester screening is performed, the risk estimate may incorporate the ultrasound findings, maternal age, relevant pregnancy details and blood markers. An isolated ultrasound does not provide the same risk estimate as combined screening.
🌿 Reading it calmly:
- NT/NB and combined screening tests estimate the chance of certain chromosomal conditions, including Down syndrome. They do not confirm or exclude these conditions.
- A “lower-chance” result is reassuring, but it is not a guarantee that the baby does not have the condition.
- A “higher-chance” result does not mean the baby definitely has the condition. Your obstetrician may recommend genetic counselling and discuss further screening or diagnostic testing, depending on the findings and your preferences.
Level 2 anomaly scan, also called TIFFA (18 to 22 weeks)
Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies / Comprehensive Mid-Pregnancy Anatomy Scan
📅 When to book:
once your doctor prescribes it, book for 18 to 22 weeks. Booking early in this window leaves time for a repeat examination if the baby’s position prevents some views. A repeat scan to complete the examination does not, by itself, mean that an abnormality has been found.
📋 How to prepare:
no fasting or special preparation. Keep 30 to 45 minutes free. If the baby is lying in an awkward position, we may ask you to walk a little or come back after a short break.
🔍 What the report shows:
- Measurements of the head (BPD, HC), tummy (AC) and thigh bone (FL), and an estimated weight
- A check of the brain, face, spine, heart, kidneys, limbs and other organs
- Where the placenta is and how much fluid is around the baby
🌿 Reading it calmly:
- A “low-lying placenta” at this scan often moves farther away from the cervix as pregnancy progresses. Most low-lying placentas identified at the mid-pregnancy scan resolve, but this cannot be guaranteed for an individual pregnancy. Your doctor will recommend follow-up imaging at the appropriate time, often around 32 weeks, depending on the findings.
- Some reports mention findings known as “soft markers”, which can also occur in healthy babies. Their significance depends on the particular finding and the overall screening results. Your doctor will decide whether further assessment is needed.
- A normal anomaly scan is reassuring, but no ultrasound can detect every structural abnormality. Your obstetrician will explain whether any additional assessment is needed.
Growth scan and colour Doppler (only if your doctor asks)
Third trimester growth surveillance and hemodynamic assessment
📅 When to book:
your obstetrician will recommend the timing based on your pregnancy, medical history and earlier findings. Growth scans are commonly performed during the third trimester when clinically indicated. Doppler assessment may be recommended earlier or later depending on the clinical question.
📋 How to prepare:
no fasting is usually required. Follow any specific instructions given by your centre or doctor.
🔍 What the report shows:
a growth scan assesses the baby’s measurements, estimated weight, position and amniotic fluid volume. Doppler studies assess blood-flow patterns in specific vessels, such as the umbilical artery, when clinically indicated.
🌿 Reading it calmly:
- Estimated fetal weight is calculated from ultrasound measurements; it is not a direct weighing of the baby. Your doctor assesses growth using the measurements, previous scans and other clinical information, rather than relying on one number alone.
- Percentiles compare a baby’s measurements with reference populations at the same gestational age. A percentile needs to be interpreted alongside the overall clinical picture; one number alone does not establish whether growth is normal.
For details and current prices of these scans, see our ultrasound page or give us a call on 70689 70689.
Your Blood and Urine Tests: How to Prepare and What the Report Means
Antenatal blood panels, glucose tolerance protocols, and laboratory guidance.
Many initial antenatal investigations can be arranged through our Maatritva Suraksha package. The exact tests required depend on your doctor’s prescription and the stage of pregnancy. Home blood sample collection may be available for eligible tests. Our team can explain package inclusions, sample preparation and collection arrangements before booking. Reports should be interpreted by your treating doctor in the context of your pregnancy and medical history.
Preparation depends on the test prescribed. Fasting blood glucose generally requires 8 to 10 hours without food; plain water is usually permitted. The 75-g glucose test may follow a different protocol: under the DIPSI approach commonly used in India, it can be performed irrespective of fasting status, while other protocols may require fasting. Please follow the instructions from your doctor or laboratory.
| Test | How to prepare | Reading it calmly |
|---|---|---|
| CBC (complete blood count) | Nothing special | Haemoglobin below 11 g/dL is a commonly used threshold for anaemia in pregnancy. Your doctor interprets it with the trimester, clinical context and applicable guideline. |
| Blood group and Rh factor | Nothing special | Rh-negative is not a disease. Your doctor will assess relevant antibodies and decide whether anti-D immunoglobulin is indicated during pregnancy or after delivery. Additional assessment or anti-D may be needed after certain bleeding episodes or procedures. |
| Beta hCG | Nothing special | One value alone may not provide the answer; normal values vary widely. Serial measurements are used when clinically indicated, especially in selected early-pregnancy assessments, and are not needed routinely in every pregnancy. |
| Thyroid profile | If you take levothyroxine, contact your doctor after pregnancy is confirmed for advice; do not independently change or stop the dose. | Pregnancy affects thyroid hormone levels. Reference ranges may vary by trimester, laboratory and method. Your doctor interprets the result using appropriate pregnancy-specific ranges and your medical history. |
| Fasting blood glucose | 8 to 10 hours without food; water is fine | A glucose measurement used to assess blood sugar. A borderline result is not necessarily a diagnosis; interpretation depends on the test and protocol used. |
| 75 g glucose test (if your doctor asks) | Under the DIPSI protocol commonly used in India, this may be performed irrespective of fasting status: drink 75 g glucose dissolved in water and provide a blood sample 2 hours later. Other protocols may require fasting; follow your doctor’s or laboratory’s instructions. | Under the DIPSI protocol, a 2-hour plasma glucose value of 140 mg/dL or higher meets the threshold used for gestational diabetes. Your obstetrician will interpret the result according to the protocol used and arrange follow-up. Under commonly used Indian guidance, testing is done at the first antenatal visit and repeated at 24–28 weeks if the initial result is normal. |
| Urine routine | A midstream “clean-catch” sample in the container we give you | A few pus cells or trace protein may have several explanations, including sample collection. Urinary symptoms or suspected infection may require a urine culture and clinical assessment. Do not dismiss abnormal findings solely as contamination. |
| HIV, hepatitis B (HBsAg), hepatitis C, syphilis (VDRL) | Nothing special | A reactive screening result does not always establish a final diagnosis. Further testing and clinical assessment depend on the infection and test used. If an infection is confirmed, appropriate treatment, monitoring and measures during pregnancy or delivery can reduce risk to the baby. Your doctor will explain the next steps confidentially. |
Five Rules for Reading Any Report Without Panic
Practical reassurance and clinical advice for mothers and families reviewing reports.
Know if it’s screening or diagnosis
The NT/NB scan and the double marker give a chance, not an answer. Only further tests your doctor suggests can confirm anything.
Check the range printed beside your result
A value marked H or L is outside the usual adult range. Pregnancy changes many of these, so a flag isn’t automatically a problem.
Look at the trend, not one number
Doctors compare haemoglobin, sugar and baby’s growth across reports. Keep all your reports in one file and carry them to every visit.
Skip the internet search and WhatsApp forward
They don’t know your history. Your doctor does.
Ask us what a test measures
We’re glad to explain what each test checks and what the words on your report mean. What it means for you, and any treatment, is your doctor’s call.
Our Promises, Again
Our ethical foundation, legal compliance, and patient dignity standards.
⚖️ Zero Sex Determination Guarantee (PCPNDT Act, 1994)
यहाँ भ्रूण लिंग जाँच नहीं की जाती — यह कानूनन अपराध है।
We will never tell you the baby’s sex. It’s against the law in India under the PCPNDT Act, 1994, and against everything MAA stands for.
📋 Mandatory Form F Documentation
Required Form F documentation and identification must be completed before the scan in accordance with applicable PCPNDT requirements and the centre’s approved process.
👩⚕️ Comfort & Female Clinician Availability
If you prefer a female sonologist, radiologist or attendant, please tell us when booking. Availability will be confirmed for your chosen centre.
When You Shouldn’t Wait for a Booking
Contact your obstetrician or maternity service promptly if you notice any of the following. For reduced or absent fetal movements, seek immediate maternity assessment and do not wait until the next day:
⚠️ Bleeding or Leaking
Bleeding, or water leaking from the vagina.
⚠️ Severe Abdominal Pain
Sudden or severe pain in the belly.
⚠️ Reduced Baby Movements
Baby moving less than usual, movements becoming weaker, or no movements (once you have reached the stage when you normally feel your baby moving).
⚠️ Headache or Visual Disturbances
Severe or persistent headache, blurred vision or flashing lights.
⚠️ Sudden Facial or Hand Swelling
Sudden swelling of the face or hands, particularly with headache or visual symptoms.
⚠️ High Fever or Severe Vomiting
High fever, or persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down.
🚨 Emergency Action in Varanasi & Uttar Pradesh
If symptoms are severe or you cannot reach your obstetrician promptly, go to the nearest appropriate hospital or emergency department. In Uttar Pradesh, call 108 for an ambulance when emergency transport is needed.
Scan Day Preparation Checklist
Click on each item to check off your preparation before leaving for the diagnostic centre:
Doctor’s Prescription
Original physical prescription or clear digital copy from your obstetrician.
Government Photo ID
Aadhaar card or Voter ID mandatory for government Form F verification.
Comfortable Two-Piece Clothing
Loose attire allows easy access to your abdomen without discomfort.
Previous Antenatal Records
All prior ultrasound scans, blood tests, and doctor notes in one file.
Bladder Preparation Instructions
Follow specific instructions given by the centre for your gestational stage.
Attendant or Family Member
Having a family member accompany you helps you stay relaxed and comfortable.
Book With Us
If your doctor has given you a prescription, call or WhatsApp us on 70689 70689. Send a photo of the prescription and we’ll book your scan or blood tests at your nearest Karauli Diagnostics centre in Varanasi.
For a quick refresher on which scan is which, see Pregnancy Scans: Which One, When, and Why (Part 1 of MAA).
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions about pregnancy scans and reports in Varanasi.
Medically reviewed by Dr Abhilasha Singh (MBBS, MD Radiology)
Consultant Radiologist · Karauli Diagnostics, Varanasi · Published: October 2026
Note: This article provides general information and does not replace advice from your obstetrician. Follow the prescription and advice of your treating doctor. The urgency of assessment may depend on the gestational age and severity of symptoms.
यहाँ भ्रूण लिंग जाँच नहीं की जाती — यह कानूनन अपराध है।
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