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The purpose of the Advanced Early pregnancy scan is: To check the site of the pregnancy sac (Is the pregnancy inside the uterus?) To check for viability of the fetus (Is my baby’s heart beating?) To calculate fetal heart rate (How many beats per minute is the baby’s heart beating?) To check the baby’s growth by measuring the crown-rump-length (To determine accurate dates) To calculate the baby’s due date (What date is my baby due?) To count number of babies (Could I be expecting twins?) To identify and examine some of the main organs in the fetus (such as brain, face, heart, stomach, umbilical cord, bladder, arms and legs). The normality of these organs cannot be fully determined in the first trimester – however, if an obvious abnormality is identified you will be referred on to a fetal medicine specialist) To assess the amniotic fluid volume, placenta and umbilical cord vessels. To examine for obvious uterine and ovarian pathology Please note that this scan: Is not the Nuchal Translucency / first trimester screening / Down Syndrome scan Cannot exclude all chromosomal or anatomical abnormalities Cannot assess placental location or function as it is too early When to have an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan? The Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan is carried out between 12 weeks 0 days – 13 weeks 6 days. Many couples decide to announce their pregnancy after 12 weeks scan as they have gained some reassurance about the well-being of their baby. Pictures and a video clip provided from the scan can of course add to the special announcement. How to prepare for an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan? Please make sure that your bladder is moderately full for this scan. You don’t need to purposely drink water before your scan. Just try not to empty it for an hour before your appointment. What to expect from an Advanced Early Pregnancy Scan You will lie back while the sonographer puts a bit of gel on your abdomen and then move a transducer over your tummy. You will be able to see the scan on a big screen television in front of you so that you can see what the sonographer sees. As with the Early Pregnancy Scan, there is a small chance that a transvaginal scan may need to be performed in order to get a better picture of the baby and to examine some of the very small structures.

Cortisone Injections & Knee Injections  If you have been suffering from persistent or debilitating knee pain, you should consider asking your doctor about the possibility of a cortisone knee injection. Whether your knee pain is from an injury, most types of arthritis, bursitis, or even an unknown cause, an injection of cortisone may be able to provide you with effective and long-lasting relief. Here is more information about cortisone knee injections, including the risks and potential benefits. Causes of Knee Pain Chronic, or lasting, knee pain can have any number of causes. Perhaps you twisted your knee during a run or game of football. Maybe you have just begun an exercise programme, and your knee is giving you persistent trouble. You could be suffering from an episode of gout, tendinitis, or arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or psoriatic arthritis. A cortisone knee injection may be able to help with pain control in each of the above cases. Along with pain control, a cortisone injection may also assist with swelling, heat, and redness in your knee. Before proceeding with a cortisone knee injection, your physician may first ask you to try more conservative measures. These efforts include applying ice to your knee, giving your knee a few days of rest, and using non-prescription anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or paracetamol. What is a Cortisone injection? Cortisone is a synthesised hormone. While it is similar to the cortisol hormone produced by your body, cortisone has an anti-inflammatory effect. Inflammation can occur when your body is sick or injured and causes swelling, increased temperature, reddened skin, and pain. Inflammation is the result of a hyper-reaction in your immune system. In other words, your immune cells attack healthy cells instead of harmful microorganisms. Cortisone inhibits this immune response. When administered by a physician, cortisone is generally safe. However, some side effects are possible, especially with repeated and prolonged use. These side effects include increased susceptibility to infections, puffiness of the face, increased blood sugar levels, bone integrity problems, and damage to nearby cartilage. What Can You Expect from a knee injection? If you and your doctor decide together to proceed with a cortisone knee injection, you can have the injection in your doctor’s office. Your physician will clean your knee and inject the cortisone into the appropriate location. The cortisone often contains an anaesthetic to minimise pain from the injection. Your doctor may use an x-ray to help guide the injection. Follow your doctor’s aftercare instructions precisely. They may recommend icing your knee, and they might want you to follow up in a few days or to collect blood samples. You will likely notice relief from your knee pain in as little as 48 hours, and the effects can last for several months. It is important to realise that cortisone injections cannot be given too often due to potential side effects. Generally, your physician will limit you to an injection every few months. Also, while cortisone is often effective for pain control, it will not resolve the underlying cause of your pain if your discomfort is due to a factor such as osteoarthritis or a major injury, like a torn knee meniscus. Your doctor can recommend more definitive treatments for these conditions.