ultrasound 560x252 Having A Baby in Norway Part 3 Routine Ultrasound and Meeting the Midwife

Routine Ultrasound
In a normal pregnancy, a routine ultrasound will be performed, sometime between your 18th to 21st week of pregnancy, at the local hospital or specified clinic. In the case of Stavanger, it occurs at the Stavanger University Hospital (SUS). The ultrasound is free but you’ll have to pay 100 NOK if you’d like to have images of your baby. Your general practitioner (fastlege) is responsible for sending a referral to the hospital and the hospital will, in turn, send you a letter informing you of the date and time of your appointment. Don’t forget to bring along your pregnancy card (helsekort for gravide). If your fastlege forgot to send a referral to the hospital (like mine did), feel free to call up the hospital when you are at Week 17 and ask when your ultrasound appointment will be.

This ultrasound aims to date your baby and provide a more accurate due date and most importantly, to check that your baby is developing normally. The ultrasound will be mostly in 2D but the technician will show you some 3D shots as well. (Having been to Sigrids Ultra, I have to say I think her machine is way more sophisticated than the one used in the hospital.)

What exactly is assessed at this ultrasound?
Gestational age – gives you a more accurate due date
Number of fetuses
Baby’s vitality
Cardiac activity and blood flow
Anatomy and development of baby – head, kidneys, bladder, stomach, spine, arms and legs
Placement of the placenta
Amount of amniotic fluid
And, (should the parents desire to find out), the sex of your baby

Specific measurements of your baby – head circumference, femur length, etc will be measured to ensure that your baby is developing normally.

It is really exciting to see your baby on screen (especially if it is your first time) and see those tiny hands and feet. You may even be able to see your baby swallowing or sucking its thumb!

If all is well with the ultrasound, you will be sent off to reception to fix an appointment for an innskrivning day, which will occur roughly a month before your due date, where you come into the hospital, get a tour around the birthing room and facilities and also to input all your information into the hospital system.

If something atypical is found during the ultrasound, you will be referred for furthur tests.

Meeting the Midwife
If you live in Stavanger, getting an appointment with your midwife is as simple as calling them up at the health station (helsestasjon)51 50 83 12 to make it. Address: Arkaden, Klubbgaten 5, 4th floor. If you live anywhere else in Norway, your doctor (fastlege) will inform you of whom to contact and where to go. After you call up the health station and give your details to them, you will be sent a letter informing you of your appointment date and time. This first appointment will most likely take place within Week 16 to 18 of your pregnancy. You’ll be advised to allocate 1 hour for the first appointment and half an hour for subsequent ones.

The main purpose of seeing the midwife is obtain information and advice about your pregnancy and aid with preparation to becoming parents. You should feel comfortable about asking your midwife anything as that is what they are there for. No question about pregnancy is too silly or insignificant.

Your midwife will start by going through your pregnancy card (helsekort for gravide), asking all the questions that your general practitioner (fastlege) has asked before and even more. My midwife even questioned me about my own birth weight and my mother’s birthing experience.

She will then proceed take your weight and to measure your fundal height – measure of the size of the uterus. It is measured from the top of the mother’s uterus to the top of the mother’s pubic bone in centimeters. Subsequently, she will attempt to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. I say attempt as you may not be able to listen to it, it depends on your baby’s position at that time. But if you do get to hear it, it sounds exactly like a galloping horse. Your midwife will then count your baby’s heartbeat and all the information that she has gathered from you will be written down on your helsekort.

Please note that everyone’s ultrasound session and meeting with the midwife might differ so do feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

Stavanger Expats ‘Having a Baby in Norway’ Series
Part 1 – Finding Out and The First Appointment
Part 2 – Private Ultrasound and the 2nd Doctor’s Appointment
Part 3 – Routine Ultrasound and Meeting the Midwife
Part 4 – Prenatal Courses, Exercise Classes and Massages
Part 5 – What You May Need and Where to Buy Them
Part 6 – Freebies Galore and Memories of Your Journey
Part 7 – Innskrivning Dag and What to Pack for the Hospital
Part 8 – Labour and Delivery
Part 9 – After Your Delivery
Part 10 – Activities for You and Your Baby in Stavanger
Part 11: Budgeting for a New Baby
Part 12 – Parental Leave and Your Job

Having A Baby in Norway Part 3 Routine Ultrasound and Meeting the Midwife

About Cynthia Myrnes

Cynthia is a Singaporean who has been living in Stavanger since Feb 2008 with her Norwegian husband. She works as a physiotherapist here and also owns her own petsitting service, Stavanger Petsitter, for the residents of Stavanger. In addition, she manages the Stavanger International Moms group. She loves hanging out with friends, spending time with animals, travelling and watersports such as scuba diving and wake boarding. Most of all, she is enjoying the experience of being a first time mom!