There's always concern involved when a woman is pregnant.
We never know if our baby is going to be perfect with five fingers on each hand, five toes on each foot, two eyes, a nose, a mouth: in other words, we never know if our baby will be perfect when born.
If you're normal, you're concerned and will try to do anything and everything to guarantee the health and wellness of your baby.
Yet, uncertainty lingers until the day your baby is born.
However, today, there is a way to see and know in advance if your baby is healthy or has any issues you should be concerned about.
A pregnancy scan can be performed at different stages to see what may be occurring inside your uterus.
Major Reasons why Women Should Have an Early Pregnancy Scan Risk of Down Syndrome - women older than thirty are advised to have an ultrasound no later than their first trimester.
During this scan, a blood sample is drawn to calculate the risk of Down Syndrome in the foetus.
Hospitals will perform this test only through the first trimester.
Some private clinics will perform what is known as a 'Quadruple Test.
' After the first trimester, select private clinics will test the fluid and blood of the foetus to determine the risk of Down Syndrome for the parents.
Problem Pregnancy Diagnosis Second Opinion - Some pregnancies may be diagnosed as high risk or problem pregnancies.
It may be that the physician has indicated the foetus is not healthy or there may be other issues to consider.
The parents may have been told to consider discontinuing the pregnancy.
Not all parents are willing to just forgo the life of their child easily.
A private clinic can provide a more thorough evaluation, providing more details and more testing.
When given a diagnosis that you might just not feel comfortable with, get a second opinion.
Have a private pregnancy scan performed.
Family Genetic Disorder History - Does your family have a history of genetic disorders? Maybe you're concerned about your baby's health or the disorder having been passed along to your child.
A private clinic performing an ultrasound can either dispel or provide evidence of the fact your child has acquired a genetic disorder.
Gender Identification - Are you one of the parents who would rather know in advance the sex of your newborn in advance.
Perhaps before the baby is born, you want to prepare the room, have a wardrobe selected or just be prepared with no surprises.
Some hospitals or medical facilities will not reveal the sex of a baby to the parents.
However, local clinics will provide the sexual orientation of your baby after fourteen weeks into the pregnancy.
There are many good reasons why parents may opt for an early pregnancy scan.
If your local hospital, private physician or gynaecologist will not provide one or even if they will, sometimes a second opinion or scan is always a good idea.