Is This Normal? 5 Ultrasound Findings You Shouldn’t Worry About
Hopefully for you, pregnancy is full of moments of joy and anticipation, however moments of worry and fear can also pop up —especially when you're staring at an ultrasound report filled with medical terms you’ve never heard before.
If you're here, you’ve probably just had a scan and were told something you don’t fully understand. Maybe your sonographer mentioned a "low-lying placenta" or you spotted a note about a "cyst" in your report. You're not alone. Every day, I speak with women feeling exactly as you do: anxious, confused, and wondering “Should I be worried about this?”
Let’s walk through five common ultrasound findings that can sound scary—but often aren’t. These are things I see regularly in scans, and most of the time, are completely normal, maybe resolving on their own, and not affecting your baby at all.
1) “My placenta is low—should I be worried?”
If you’ve been told you have a low-lying placenta (also called placenta previa), take a deep breath.
This is a very common finding in scans during mid-pregnancy. In fact, around 1 in 10 women are told this at their 20-week anomaly scan. But as your uterus grows, the placenta usually moves upwards and away from the cervix resulting in a placenta that is no longer low-lying.
What to know:
- Most low-lying placentas move up and 'out of the way' naturally by the third trimester.
- If a low-lying placenta is detected, you should be offered a follow-up scan later in pregnancy (if there isn't already one scheduled), to check the placenta's position.
- Unless the placenta remains low near full term (36 weeks plus), it doesn’t affect your birth plan.
“I was told there’s a cyst in the baby’s brain—should I panic?”
No, and here’s why.
Choroid plexus cysts are fluid-filled spaces in a part of the brain that makes spinal fluid. They sound terrifying, but they’re actually seen in up to 1 in 50 routine scans.
What to know:
- These cysts are not harmful and don’t affect brain development.
- They usually go away by 28–32 weeks.
- If everything else looks normal on the scan, they’re rarely linked to problems.
“What if the baby is measuring small?”
Growth scans can be nerve-racking, especially when terms like “small for gestational age” appear.
But here’s the thing: babies grow at different rates, and being on the smaller side isn’t always a concern. It could just be your baby’s natural size—especially if you or your partner are smaller-framed.
What to know:
- A single scan doesn’t always tell the full story.
- Your care team may monitor growth over time with follow-up scans.
- Consistent growth, even if small, is a good sign.
“The umbilical cord is around the baby’s neck—is that dangerous?”
It’s called a nuchal cord, and yes, it sounds alarming—but it’s often just part of a normal pregnancy.
About 1 in 3 babies are born with the cord around their neck. The cord is soft, stretchy, and designed to handle movement.
What to know:
- It’s rarely a cause for concern.
- Most babies with a nuchal cord are born perfectly healthy.
- It usually doesn’t affect your birth plan unless there are other complications.
“The scan showed something—but they said not to worry. Should I still be worried?”
This is one of the most common concerns I hear. When a report says something “of no clinical concern” or your sonographer says “it’s probably nothing,” it can feel incredibly vague—and not at all reassuring.
But here's what that language usually means:
- The finding was noted out of caution, not concern.
- It may fall within normal variation, especially if the baby appears otherwise well.
- Your scan provider is ethically and legally required to record anything they see—even if it’s not a problem.
FAQ: Calm, Clear Answers to Common Questions
Can these findings mean something serious later on?
In most cases, no. If a finding is considered significant or needs further follow-up, your care team will explain that clearly and schedule another scan. If they didn’t, it likely means it's low-risk or self-resolving.
Should I book a private scan just to be sure?
It depends. If your NHS scan left you feeling anxious or unclear, a private reassurance scan can provide peace of mind. See 5 Signs You Should Get a Private Scan or Second Opinion for common reasons women choose this route.
What happens if the finding hasn’t gone away at my next scan?
Even if something like a cyst or low placenta is still present, many findings are monitored over time and still don’t lead to complications. Your provider will advise what, if anything, needs changing in your care plan.
Is it safe to have more scans just to check?
Yes, when medically indicated or performed by a trained professional. For more, read Are Extra Ultrasounds Safe? The Truth About Ultrasound Frequency.
You’re Doing So Well
If something came up in your scan and you’re unsure what it means, you're not alone—and you're not overreacting. These findings sound serious, but most of them are part of the wide range of normal we see every day.
Feeling a little more confident about what’s normal is a big step forward.
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