TIFFA Scan Meaning and Its Role in Pregnancy

The TIFFA scan is one of those important check-ups during pregnancy that helps your doctor check how your baby is growing inside the womb.

While this journey brings a mix of intense emotions such as joy and anxiety, financial preparedness is also a key requirement for this stage. Bajaj General Insurance offers comprehensive health insurance plans at affordable premiums to support financially and provide peace of mind. 

In this blog, we uncover the TIFFA scan meaning, why it is done and how it helps make sure your baby is fit and fine.

What is a TIFFA Scan?

The full form of TIFFA scan is Targeted Imaging for Fetal Anomalies. This test provides a detailed look at the baby’s anatomy to check for any potential abnormalities or structural issues.   

The main goal of the TIFFA test is to confirm that your baby is growing healthily and to pinpoint the precise location of the placenta. This scan offers a thorough evaluation of your baby and uterus.

TIFFA scans offer a comprehensive image of the fetal anomaly, enabling medical professionals to spot defects or abnormalities. This scan is particularly important in the case of a twin pregnancy.

Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) or developmental abnormalities may arise from mothers and twins sharing the placenta or amniotic sac. Your doctor can make the best medical decisions for the length of your pregnancy based on the results of this scan.

What does a TIFFA Scan Detect?

A TIFFA scan reveals the following aspects of fetal development:

1. Size and structure of the brain

2. Structure of the heart

3. Shape of the face

4. Functionality of the kidneys

5. Alignment of the spine and ribcage

6. Growth and position of the limbs

7. Position of the placenta

8. Amount of amniotic fluid in the womb

9. Risk of chromosomal abnormalities

What is the Right Time to Get an TIFFA Scan During Pregnancy?

The ideal time to perform the TIFFA Scan is between the 18th and 22nd week of pregnancy. During this time, the baby’s brain grows rapidly, and it produces millions of motor neurons. Around the 19th and 20th weeks, the baby starts to kick or stretch. Hence, the doctors can get a clear idea of how the baby is developing.

How Much does a TIFFA Scan Cost in India?

A TIFFA scan cost varies from location to location. The ultrasound test ranges from ₹1500 to 2500. The scan helps to catch skeletal abnormalities, neurological issues, and hereditary disorders in a fetus.

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What are the Benefits of a TIFFA Scan During Pregnancy?

The TIFFA Scan is a vital scan that offers a detailed idea of your fetus's growth and development. It is a non-invasive and seamless ultrasound scan.

The benefits of a TIFFA scan include:

1. This scan detects abnormalities and helps your doctor make informed medical decisions.

2. It gives a sense of relief to parents and their families regarding their baby.

3. This test detects any structural issues early, allowing your healthcare provider to make appropriate management decisions.

4. With this ultrasound, parents can prepare financially, emotionally, and practically to care for their baby

How to Prepare for a TIFFA Scan? 

A TIFFA scan will not only provide you with information about the growth of the fetus but also help you bond with the unborn child. It provides the parents with peace of mind that the fetus is growing as expected. Keep these points in mind to prepare well for the test.

1. Hydration: TIFFA scan needs bladder scanning. Hence, you should drink lots of water before the ultrasound process, as a full bladder will help the obstetrician see the fetus clearly. 

2. Check for Allergy: A TIFFA scan needs you to put a gel on your stomach, so doctors must be aware whether you are allergic to latex or ultrasound gel.

3. Stay Calm: It is natural to feel anxious about the test. However, you should try to stay calm and patient.

What is the Process of a TIFFA Scan?

TIFFA scans have become a cornerstone of prenatal care, ensuring that every stage of development is carefully monitored. It is a safe and non-invasive comprehensive ultrasound examination. The medical experts follow these steps to perform a TIFFA scan.

Step 1: Preparation

The mother rests on an examining table. The sonographer puts a transparent gel on her abdomen. It helps to transfer ultrasonic waves through the skin.

Step 2: Ultrasound Transducer

An ultrasound transducer is a portable instrument which is moved over the abdomen during the scan. The transducer transmits sound waves into the body that bounce off the fetus and generate a picture on a monitor.

Step 3: Examination

The sonographer thoroughly checks different parts of the fetus during the test. The fetal medicine expert examines the brain, spine, face, heart, stomach, kidneys, limbs, and other structures to detect any abnormalities present in the fetus and the growth of the fetus.

Step 4: Test Report

Based on the TIFFA scan, the fetal medicine expert prepares a detailed report on findings. The report primarily consists of summary, fetal biometry and anatomy, placenta and amniotic fluid, fetal movements and position, additional observations, and Recommendations.

How to Handle Abnormalities in the TIFFA Scan Report?

A TIFFA scan might result in abnormalities in the fetus. If the scan detects any abnormality in the fetus, your sonographer will recommend a second scan. The doctor decides whether a second scan is required based on the severity of the abnormality. Mild abnormalities can be cured with correct treatment, time, care and support.

If any severe abnormalities are located, do not panic. Consult your doctor, as they can provide correct and informed treatment.

Bottom Line

A TIFFA scan is a helpful ultrasound test method during pregnancy to check if your baby is developing normally. It can spot any issues, so your physicist can take the right steps to avoid complications later. A health insurance policy with maternity coverage can cover the cost of the scan and offer you other benefits also.

Check out the comprehensive health insurance plans from Bajaj General Insurance today to access maternity benefits, cover essential tests like TIFFA scans, and enjoy worry-free protection throughout your pregnancy journey!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a TIFFA scan safe?

Yes, a TIFFA scan is a safe ultrasound examination process for both the mother and the developing baby.

How much time does a TIFFA scan take?

A TIFFA scan typically takes 20 to 60 minutes, depending on the baby’s position and how readily the sonographer gets the needed images of the fetus.

Is a TIFFA scan mandatory during pregnancy?

No, the TIFFA scan is not strictly mandatory, but it is highly recommended and considered a vital part of standard prenatal care.

Is a TIFFA scan painful?

No, the TIFFA scan is not painful. It uses ultrasound waves through a transducer to create images of the fetus.

Are the Anomaly scan and the TIFFA scan the same?

Yes, Anomaly Test and TIFFA scan are the same terminology and can be used interchangeably.

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