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Pregnancy Scans (Obstetric Scans)

So why have a private ultrasound scan?

Firstly, some of the examinations listed below may not be available through the National Health Service (NHS) in your area. It can also be more convenient to attend a private appointment where you have more choice about the  time and date of your scan or you may have concerns about your baby's health and don't want to wait for your hospital appointment.

Every scan is performed by a Consultant Ultrasound Practitioner who will be pleased to talk you through the procedure and explain what can be seen.

You are welcome to bring friends and family to share the experience.

• Early Dating Scan (6 - 10 weeks)
• Nuchal translucency scan (11 - 14 weeks)
• Soft Markers & Detailed Fetal anatomy scan (16 — 22 weeks)
• Reassurance & Anomaly including sexing (20 – 36 weeks)

Early dating scan - 2D Imaging (6 - 10 weeks)

This scan will confirm that you are pregnant and the number of  babies you are carrying. It will also confirm that the pregnancy is growing in the womb. By 7 weeks it is possible to detect the baby’s heart beat.  Measurements of your baby will allow us to determine how many weeks pregnant you are.

Your baby will be measured (crown to rump length) and your uterus and the yolk sac positions will be checked.  Your ovaries will also be checked and you will be given a Pregnancy Progress report  and 4 x 2D thermal images to take away.

A clear explanation of the procedure and what has been found during the scan will be given to you by your sonographer throughout the scan. Scans at this stage in pregnancy are a useful test for women experiencing bleeding or pain. Women who have previously had miscarriages may also find an early scan reassuring.

This examination is usually available free of charge through the NHS – please check with your midwife.

The cost of a private appointment is: £85.00

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Nuchal translucency scan - 2D Imaging (11 - 14 weeks)

Nuchal Translucency Screening is a scan which assesses your baby and gives you the risk  of  your baby having Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21) or other chromosomal  abnormalities.

This is a non-diagnostic procedure which can give you a risk assessment  based on your age, the thickness of the Nuchal Translucency, the presence or absence of a nasal bone and a blood test. You will be told your risk of having an affected baby, not whether your baby is definitely affected. This scan can only be performed between 11 weeks 0 days and 13 weeks + 6 days of gestation.

This procedure is non-invasive and therefore presents no risk to your baby.  The main benefit is that because it is done in early pregnancy you can use the information to make an informed choice as to whether you should consider  invasive testing  such as amniocentesis which carries a small risk of miscarriage.    

We are an accredited site of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF). Our Sonographers are trained and continually assessed by the FMF and we use the FMF software to calculate your risk. Visit the Fetal Medicine Foundation Web site for more information.

Visit our Nuchal Translucency section for a more detailed explanation of the procedure.

The cost of a private appointment is:

Nuchal Translucency Scan: £135
Nuchal Translucency Scan plus Blood Test: £175

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Soft Markers/Detailed Fetal Anatomy scan - 2D Imaging (16 — 22 weeks)

Sometimes it is possible to see ‘soft markers’ which are changes in the normal anatomy and may indicate a chromosomal abnormality.  If a single marker is found the risk to your baby may be increased and if more than one is found the risk increases further.

The four most common ‘soft markers’ are:

Choroid Plexus Cysts – small pockets of fluid in the brain
Renal pelvic dilatation – a build up of fluid in the kidneys
Echogenic bowel – bright specks in the baby’s bowel
Echogenic foci in the heart – Also known as ‘golf balls’ they can be attached to the heart muscles.

It is important to remember that whilst these soft markers are seen in affected pregnancies, they are also seen in healthy, normal babies. If you have had screening for abnormalities earlier in your pregnancy e.g. a Nuchal Translucency scan, then the presence of any soft markers later in pregnancy are even less likely to be of significance.

At the same time as looking for soft markers we will also assess the following:

• The placenta site and the fluid around your baby
• Your baby’s head and brain structure. 
• Facial features and lips for indications of hair lip/cleft palate.
• The four chambers of the heart
• Your baby’s spine, stomach, bladder and kidneys
• The cord insertion
• All four limbs and the position of the feet
• Your baby’s growth is checked
• We can tell you the sex of your baby if you wish

You will be given a Pregnancy Progress Report and 6 printed thermal images  to take away.

We can also determine whether you are having a boy or a girl at this stage.

Not all abnormalities will be detected by ultrasound and the following table is a guide to the accuracy of ultrasound in the detection of some abnormalities. For a more comprehensive table, visit the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)

Problem	What is it?	Chance of being seen
Spina bifida	Open spinal cord	90%
Anencephaly	Absence of the top of the head	99%
Hydrocephalus	Excess fluid within the brain (many cases present late in pregnancy or even after birth)	60%
Major congenital heart problems		25%

The cost of a private appointment is: £150.00

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Reassurance & Anomaly including Sexing (20 – 36 weeks)

You will usually be offered a routine scan through the NHS at approximately 20 weeks to assess your baby’s development.  This examination is very similar and we will:

• Use measurements to check that your baby is developing within normal limits.
• We can detect the presence of some major abnormalities
• We can tell you the sex of your baby if requested

You will be given a Pregnancy Progress report to take away plus 6 printed thermal images.

Many women find a follow up scan later in pregnancy reassuring even after attending their NHS appointment at 20 weeks.

The cost of a private appointment is: £95.00

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