അനോമലി സ്കാൻ / ടിഫ സ്കാൻ (TIFFA)

Will the doctor tell me the gender of my baby?

In India, disclosure of fetal sex is prohibited under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, 1994. This law was enacted to prevent sex-selective abortions. Your doctor and the scanning centre are legally prohibited from telling you the baby's sex, and you should not ask them to do so.

Do I need to fast before the TIFFA scan?

No, fasting is not required. In fact, eating a light meal an hour before may help as a slightly active baby is easier to scan. However, avoid a very heavy or greasy meal. Some centres ask you to drink water to maintain amniotic fluid — follow your centre's specific instructions.

What happens if the scan shows a possible abnormality?

If a possible finding is identified, you will be referred to a fetal medicine specialist for a detailed repeat scan and counselling. A finding on the anomaly scan does not always mean a confirmed problem — some findings are soft markers that resolve, and some require further tests like amniocentesis for a definitive answer. Your doctor will guide you through the next steps.

Is the TIFFA scan 100% accurate in detecting abnormalities?

No. The TIFFA scan has a detection rate of approximately 60–80% for major structural anomalies, depending on the baby's position, equipment quality, and operator experience. Some conditions (especially heart defects and subtle brain changes) may not be visible even on a good scan. A normal TIFFA scan significantly reassures but does not guarantee a normal outcome.

What if I miss the 18–22 week window?

The scan can still be done after 22 weeks, but image quality and the ability to see certain structures decreases as the baby grows and there is less fluid around them. If you are beyond 24 weeks, your doctor will still arrange a detailed scan, but earlier is better.