IVF pregnancy is emotionally precious and medically important. Many IVF pregnancies progress normally, but they deserve a structured fetal medicine plan — from early viability and dating to NT scan, anomaly scan, fetal echo, placental assessment, growth scan and Doppler follow-up.
IVF pregnancies may involve advanced maternal age, previous pregnancy losses, medical conditions, twin pregnancy, ICSI, donor egg pregnancy or long infertility history. These factors may change the screening and monitoring plan.
Dr. Kunda Shahane reviews the IVF history and then plans trimester-wise scans: early viability, dating, NT scan, prenatal screening, anomaly scan, fetal echocardiography when indicated, placental evaluation, fetal growth, Doppler and fetal wellbeing tests.
The early scan should not only confirm pregnancy. It should clarify viability, dating, number of sacs, number of embryos and whether twin surveillance is needed.
Confirms fetal heartbeat and whether the pregnancy is progressing appropriately for gestational age.
IVF dates are usually known, but ultrasound dating still helps correlate fetal size and scan timing.
The scan checks number of sacs, number of fetuses and early twin classification if more than one pregnancy is present.
If twins are seen, chorionicity and amnionicity should be documented early because it changes the full scan schedule.
Please bring IVF records, embryo transfer date, day-3/day-5 embryo information, donor egg/sperm details if applicable, PGT report if done, and early beta-hCG reports. These help interpret early pregnancy scans more accurately.
The exact schedule is individualised. IVF alone is not the only factor — age, twins, medical history, placenta, growth and Doppler findings matter.
| Pregnancy stage | Recommended assessment | What Dr. Kunda checks | Why it matters in IVF pregnancy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early pregnancy | Viability scan Dating | Heartbeat, gestational age, number of sacs, number of fetuses, early pregnancy location and early complications. | Confirms whether the IVF pregnancy is progressing and whether singleton or twin pathway is needed. |
| 11–14 weeks | NT scan Screening discussion | NT, nasal bone when appropriate, early anatomy, ductus venosus/tricuspid flow if indicated, dating correlation and aneuploidy screening options. | Even after PGT, prenatal screening and diagnostic testing options should be discussed clearly. |
| If twins are present | Chorionicity scan | DCDA, MCDA or MCMA classification, sacs, placenta, membranes and twin-specific scan calendar. | Twin IVF pregnancy requires a different monitoring pathway, especially if monochorionic. |
| 18–22 weeks | Detailed anomaly scan | Detailed fetal anatomy, brain, spine, face, heart, abdomen, limbs, placenta, cord insertion and cervix. | SMFM recommends detailed obstetric ultrasound for IVF/ICSI pregnancies. |
| 20–24 weeks or as advised | Fetal echocardiography | Detailed fetal heart structure, rhythm, outflow tracts and cardiac function when offered or indicated. | Fetal echo may be offered in IVF/ICSI pregnancies and is especially useful if heart views are incomplete or risk factors exist. |
| Detailed anatomy stage | Placenta and cord review | Placental location, placental shape, cord insertion, low-lying placenta, velamentous cord insertion and vasa previa risk. | Placental and cord findings can influence pregnancy surveillance and delivery planning. |
| Third trimester | Growth scan Doppler if needed | Estimated fetal weight, abdominal circumference, amniotic fluid, placenta, Doppler and fetal wellbeing. | Third-trimester fetal growth assessment helps identify growth restriction or placental insufficiency. |
| Late pregnancy | NST / BPP when advised | Fetal movements, NST, BPP, Doppler and obstetric delivery planning in selected cases. | Some IVF pregnancies need late antenatal fetal surveillance depending on risk profile and gestational age. |
If preimplantation genetic testing was done, parents should still discuss prenatal screening and diagnostic testing options. PGT reduces some risks but does not replace NT scan, anomaly scan or medically indicated fetal assessment.
A good IVF pregnancy plan answers specific questions at the correct time: Is the pregnancy viable? Is dating correct? Is it singleton or twin? Is chorionicity known? Is fetal anatomy normal? Is the heart well seen? Is the placenta safe? Is the baby growing appropriately?
At Mayflower, the aim is to avoid both under-monitoring and unnecessary anxiety.
A detailed anomaly scan checks the baby’s brain, spine, face, heart, abdomen, kidneys, limbs, placenta and cord insertion.
Fetal echocardiography may be offered or advised, especially in IVF/ICSI pregnancies, twins, incomplete heart views or abnormal screening findings.
Placental location, cord insertion and vasa previa risk should be reviewed carefully during the detailed scan.
Third-trimester growth assessment helps identify growth restriction or placental insufficiency early.
IVF can be associated with multiple pregnancy. Twin pregnancy needs chorionicity-based follow-up and a separate scan calendar.
Age, diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, previous losses or donor egg pregnancy may change surveillance.
Embryo transfer date, embryo day, PGT report, donor details if applicable, medication history and early beta-hCG trends are reviewed.
Viability, dating, number of sacs, number of fetuses and twin chorionicity are checked.
NT scan, early anatomy and prenatal screening or diagnostic testing options are discussed in a non-pressuring way.
Detailed anatomy and fetal heart assessment are planned at the correct gestational age.
Placental location, cord insertion, growth, fluid, Doppler, NST or BPP are added depending on individual risk.
Early pregnancy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, dizziness or fainting needs prompt medical review.
Later in pregnancy, clearly reduced fetal movements need urgent obstetric assessment or nearest hospital care.
Severe headache, visual symptoms, upper abdominal pain, swelling or breathlessness should be evaluated urgently.
IVF pregnancy is precious, but emergency symptoms should not be managed by waiting for routine scan appointment. Contact your obstetrician or nearest hospital immediately if symptoms are severe or sudden.
Embryo transfer date, embryo day, ICSI details, donor egg/sperm details, PGT report and fertility medication list.
Beta-hCG, early scan, dating scan, NT scan, NIPT/combined screening, anomaly scan or previous Doppler reports if already done.
Blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, kidney, autoimmune, previous pregnancy loss, surgery and medication records.
“An IVF pregnancy needs calm, structured and evidence-based monitoring. The goal is not to create fear or scan unnecessarily, but to answer the right fetal medicine questions at the right time — viability, dating, screening, anatomy, heart, placenta, growth and fetal wellbeing.”
No. Many IVF pregnancies are normal. IVF pregnancy simply benefits from a structured monitoring plan because the pregnancy may have additional maternal, fetal, placental or twin-related risk factors.
Yes, NT scan and early fetal assessment remain important. PGT does not replace fetal ultrasound, pregnancy screening discussion or diagnostic testing options when indicated.
NIPT can be discussed after IVF, but interpretation may depend on singleton/twin pregnancy, vanishing twin, donor egg pregnancy and other factors. Your fetal medicine specialist can guide which screening option is appropriate.
Fetal echo may be offered or advised in IVF/ICSI pregnancies, especially if there are additional risk factors, twins, incomplete heart views, abnormal scan findings or family history of congenital heart disease.
A third-trimester growth assessment is commonly considered. Repeated serial growth scans are planned when there are additional risk factors or abnormal findings, not only because the pregnancy is IVF.
Placental location, shape, cord insertion and vasa previa risk can affect monitoring and delivery planning, so they should be reviewed carefully during the detailed anatomy scan.
Twin IVF pregnancy needs early chorionicity and amnionicity assessment. The monitoring plan depends on whether twins are dichorionic, monochorionic diamniotic or monoamniotic.
Do not self-start aspirin. Whether aspirin is needed depends on additional risk factors such as hypertension, previous preeclampsia, diabetes, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, twins or other obstetric factors. Discuss this with your obstetrician.
Book an IVF pregnancy fetal medicine appointment with Dr. Kunda Shahane at Mayflower Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy Centre, Dhantoli, Nagpur. Carry your IVF records, embryo transfer details and previous scan reports for accurate planning.
Mayflower Fetal Medicine & High-Risk Pregnancy Centre, Dhantoli, Nagpur, provides fetal ultrasound, prenatal diagnosis, fetal echocardiography, Doppler studies, genetic counseling and high-risk pregnancy care under Dr. Kunda Shahane.

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Surdham Complex, Behind Silver Palace Building, 2nd Lane from Panchsheel Sq., Opp. Yashwant Stadium, Dhantoli Nagpur - 440012
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