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If you recently found out you’re pregnant, you’ll have several doctor appointments and screenings from now until the birth of your baby.

Prenatal screenings can identify problems with your health, such as anemia or gestational diabetes. Screenings also can monitor your baby-to-be’s health, and help identify chromosomal abnormalities.

Pregnancy screenings take place during the first, second, and third trimesters. The first trimester screening is a type of prenatal testing that provides your doctor with early information about your baby’s health — namely your baby’s risk for chromosome abnormalities.

A nuchal translucency (NT) scan screens your baby for these abnormalities. This test is typically scheduled between weeks 11 and 13 of pregnancy.

What’s the purpose of an NT scan?

An NT scan is a common screening test that occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy. This test measures the size of the clear tissue, called the nuchal translucency, at the back of your baby’s neck.