Pregnancy ultrasounds are done at specific windows, and two of them are narrow. The NT scan is done at 11 to 13 weeks + 6 days. The anomaly scan is usually done at 18 to 22 weeks (ISUOG says about 18 to 24, the NHS offers it at 18 to 21). Missing a window can remove options, so book these two early.
This guide gives you the full week-by-week schedule, what each scan checks, and a personalized calculator so you know exactly what is coming up in your pregnancy.
Key Takeaways:
- Indian clinics commonly schedule 3–4 or more scans in a low-risk pregnancy; NHS England offers at least two routine scans (11–14 weeks and 18–21 weeks) and more if the pregnancy needs them
- The most time-sensitive scans are the NT scan (11 to 13 weeks + 6 days) and the anomaly scan (usually 18 to 22 weeks)
- High-risk pregnancies (twins, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure) need more frequent scans
- Sex determination by ultrasound is illegal in India under the PC-PNDT Act
- Most pregnancy scans use safe sound waves, not radiation — no evidence of harm to the baby at diagnostic levels
Get Your Personalised Scan Schedule
Enter how many weeks pregnant you are today to see which scans are upcoming, which are due now, and which timing windows you need to protect.
Note: This schedule is for a normal, low-risk singleton pregnancy and reflects common practice and ISUOG and NHS timings. Your gynaecologist may recommend additional or different scans based on your specific health history. Always follow your doctor's advice over any general schedule.
Complete Pregnancy Scan Schedule — Week by Week
Scan 1: Dating Scan / Early Viability Scan — 6 to 10 Weeks
What it checks:
- Confirms the pregnancy is in the uterus (rules out ectopic pregnancy)
- Detects the fetal heartbeat
- Measures crown-rump length (CRL) to calculate gestational age and due date
- Counts embryos (identifies twins or triplets)
- Assesses ovaries for cysts
When to book: As soon as you confirm pregnancy, ideally between 7–9 weeks. If booked before 6 weeks, the heartbeat may not yet be visible.
Type: May be transvaginal (TVS) in early weeks for clearer imaging, then transabdominal. TVS is safe.
Cost in India: on the listings we read on 26 September 2026, an early pregnancy or dating scan cost ₹720 to ₹1,350, and CGHS pays ₹700 for the combined first-trimester scan. Prices vary by city and centre. See growth scan, NT and dating scan prices for the sources.
Scan 2: NT Scan (Nuchal Translucency) — 11 to 13 Weeks + 6 Days
This is one of the most time-critical scans in pregnancy. The NT measurement is taken at 11 to 13 weeks + 6 days. If the dating scan happens after 14 weeks, the NHS says the combined test is not offered and a blood-only screen is offered instead.
What it checks:
- Measures the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency)
- When combined with the Double Marker blood test (PAPP-A and Beta-hCG), screens for chromosomal conditions including Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (Trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (Trisomy 13)
- Also checks nasal bone (present in most chromosomally normal babies)
- Can detect some heart defects early
Screening guidance: the NHS offers combined first-trimester screening (NT scan plus blood test) to all pregnant women between 11 and 14 weeks, and ISUOG says most experts measure NT between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks.
The Double Marker blood test is a blood draw done at the same time — not a separate appointment. Labs usually do it together.
What the results mean: NT is reported in millimetres. The NHS says up to 3.5 mm of fluid in the nuchal space is normal. The measurement is combined with blood test values and maternal age to give a risk figure, for example a "higher-chance result" of over 1 in 150. It is a screening result, not a diagnosis.
Cost in India: the NT scan prices we read on 26 September 2026 ran from ₹680 to ₹3,225 by provider and city, and CGHS pays ₹700 for the first-trimester scan that includes NT. The double marker blood test is billed separately. See NT scan prices by provider.
Scan 3: Anomaly Scan / TIFFA Scan — 18 to 22 Weeks
This is the most comprehensive scan of pregnancy. Most Indian centres book it at 18 to 22 weeks.
ISUOG says the routine mid-trimester scan can be done between about 18 and 24 weeks, depending on technical considerations and local legislation. Earlier in the window is better if something is found, because parents then have more time for a second opinion, genetic counselling and decisions. Under India's MTP (Amendment) Act, 2021, limits on the length of pregnancy do not apply where a Medical Board diagnoses substantial fetal abnormalities, so ask your doctor about your own situation instead of relying on a fixed deadline.
What it checks:
- Complete fetal anatomy: brain, face, spine, heart (4 chambers), lungs, abdomen, kidneys, bladder, limbs, and fingers
- Placenta position (rules out placenta previa early)
- Amniotic fluid levels
- Umbilical cord (number of vessels)
- Soft markers for chromosomal abnormalities
TIFFA stands for Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies — this is the standard name used in India for the 18–22 week detailed anomaly scan. It is the same test internationally known as the "morphology scan" or "level 2 ultrasound."
What "soft markers" means: The radiologist may mention findings like an echogenic focus in the heart or a choroid plexus cyst. In isolation, most soft markers are not clinically significant — but your gynaecologist will advise if further testing is needed.
Fetal Echocardiography (detailed heart scan): May be ordered separately between 18–24 weeks if family history of congenital heart disease, or if the routine anomaly scan raises questions about the heart.
Cost in India: the anomaly (level II or TIFFA) scan prices we read on 26 September 2026 ran from ₹1,170 to ₹3,900. CGHS pays ₹2,000 at an accredited lab in a Tier I city. Fetal echocardiography is separate: Dr Lal PathLabs Delhi listed it at ₹4,730, and CGHS pays ₹1,600. See the price tables.
Scan 4: Growth Scan — 28 to 32 Weeks
What it checks:
- Fetal growth parameters: BPD (biparietal diameter), head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length
- Estimated fetal weight plotted on growth chart
- Amniotic fluid index (AFI)
- Placenta position
Why it matters: This scan identifies intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) — where the baby is not growing at the expected rate — or macrosomia (large for gestational age, often seen in gestational diabetes). Both affect delivery planning.
Cost in India: the growth scan prices we read on 26 September 2026 ran from ₹680 to ₹2,100, and CGHS pays ₹2,000 for a package that includes BPP, AFI and Doppler. Some government facilities offer ultrasound free or at low cost. See growth scan price in India for the full table.
Scan 5: Third Trimester / Late Growth Scan — 34 to 36 Weeks
What it checks:
- Continued growth monitoring
- Amniotic fluid levels
- Fetal movements and breathing patterns (biophysical profile, if ordered)
Scan 6: Term Scan / Position Check — 36 to 38 Weeks
What it checks:
- Baby's position: cephalic (head down, ideal for vaginal delivery) vs breech vs transverse
- Placenta position confirmation (if placenta previa was noted earlier, this confirms whether it has moved up)
- Amniotic fluid assessment
- Umbilical artery Doppler (blood flow from placenta to baby) — often added at term
This is particularly important for planning delivery mode. If the baby remains breech at 37–38 weeks, your gynaecologist will discuss external cephalic version (ECV) or elective caesarean section options.
Optional Scans (Ordered When Clinically Indicated)
| Scan | When | Why Ordered |
|---|---|---|
| Triple / Quad Marker blood test | 15–20 weeks | Second-trimester chromosomal screening, especially if NT/Double Marker was borderline |
| NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Test) | 10+ weeks | High-sensitivity chromosomal screening, recommended for advanced maternal age (>35) or high-risk results |
| Cervical length scan | 18–24 weeks | If risk of preterm birth (previous preterm, symptoms of cervical incompetence) |
| Doppler scan | Any trimester | Blood flow assessment if IUGR suspected or high blood pressure in mother |
| 3D / 4D scan | 26–32 weeks | Mainly for parental bonding; occasionally for anatomical evaluation of specific concerns |
| Biophysical Profile (BPP) | Third trimester | Fetal well-being assessment in high-risk pregnancies |
High-Risk Pregnancy — More Frequent Scans
You may need additional scans if you have:
- Twins or multiples — growth monitoring every 2–4 weeks from mid-trimester
- Gestational diabetes — growth scans more frequently (macrosomia risk)
- Hypertension or preeclampsia — Doppler monitoring
- Previous pregnancy loss or preterm birth — cervical length monitoring
- Placenta previa found earlier — serial scans to track position
- Advanced maternal age (35+) — closer monitoring, more frequent growth checks
PC-PNDT Act — What You Need to Know
The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, prohibits ultrasound imaging for sex determination. Every registered ultrasound centre in India requires you to:
- Sign a Declaration Form (Form F) before every scan
- Provide your name, husband's name, and address
- Confirm that you are not asking for sex determination
This is a legal requirement and applies to every pregnancy scan. Centres that do not follow this procedure are operating illegally.
Full Scan Summary Table
| Scan | Weeks | Time-Critical? | Price seen on 26 Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dating / Viability scan | 6–10 weeks | Book early | ₹720–₹1,350 |
| NT scan (blood test extra) | 11–13+6 weeks | Narrow window | ₹680–₹3,225 |
| Anomaly scan (TIFFA) | 18–22 weeks | Book early in the window | ₹1,170–₹3,900 |
| Fetal echo (if needed) | 18–24 weeks | If indicated | ₹4,730 (Dr Lal PathLabs, Delhi) |
| Growth scan | 28–32 weeks | Book in time | ₹680–₹2,100 |
| Third trimester scan | 34–36 weeks | As advised | Same scan, same price range |
| Term / position check | 36–38 weeks | As advised | Same scan, same price range |
Prices are booking or "starting from" prices from provider pages, and vary by city and centre. Sources and dates are in growth scan price in India.
People Also Ask — Pregnancy Scan Questions
When is the NT scan done in India?
The NT scan is done between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days of pregnancy, when the baby is the right size for the measurement. If the dating scan happens after 14 weeks, the NHS says the combined test is not offered and a blood-only screen is offered instead. Book it as soon as you approach 11 weeks.
What happens if I miss the anomaly scan window?
Most Indian centres book the anomaly scan at 18 to 22 weeks, and ISUOG says it can be done up to about 24 weeks. Earlier gives you more time for follow-up if something is found. If you are past 20 weeks without having had it, contact your gynaecologist and book the earliest appointment.
Can ultrasounds harm the baby?
Diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. There is no ionising radiation involved. Decades of use and research have found no evidence of harm to the fetus from diagnostic ultrasound at standard power levels. However, avoid unnecessary scans done solely for keepsake 3D/4D videos without a clinical indication.
How many scans does a normal pregnancy need in India?
There is no single number. NHS England offers at least two routine scans (11 to 14 weeks and 18 to 21 weeks) plus more if the pregnancy needs them, and many Indian clinics schedule three to four or more in a low-risk pregnancy. Your obstetrician decides based on your health and the pregnancy.
Is the NT scan compulsory in India?
The NT scan is not legally mandatory but is commonly offered as part of first-trimester screening. It is one of the best available tools for early screening for chromosomal conditions. Most private gynaecologists in urban India routinely include it in antenatal care.
Conclusion
The pregnancy scan schedule is not just administrative — each scan fills a specific clinical gap in monitoring the health of both mother and baby. The two windows to protect are the NT scan (11 to 13 weeks + 6 days) and the anomaly scan (usually 18 to 22 weeks). Every other scan is important, but these two are the narrowest.
Photograph and store every scan report in Ayu from your first appointment. When your doctor asks about your 12-week NT measurement at a 28-week growth scan appointment, you will have the number in 10 seconds.
Medical Disclaimer
This schedule reflects common practice and ISUOG and NHS timings for a normal, low-risk singleton pregnancy. Individual care requirements vary. Always follow the advice of your obstetrician or gynaecologist regarding scan timing, frequency, and additional investigations for your specific pregnancy.
